diff --git a/include/Utils.hpp b/include/Utils.hpp
index 3d3c029..8f6c8c3 100644
--- a/include/Utils.hpp
+++ b/include/Utils.hpp
@@ -36,4 +36,13 @@ namespace gsr {
     // Returns the path to the parent directory (ignoring trailing /)
     // of "." if there is no parent directory and the directory path is relative
     std::string get_parent_directory(std::string_view directory);
+
+    // XDG Autostart helpers — toggle ~/.config/autostart/gpu-screen-recorder-ui.desktop
+    bool is_xdg_autostart_enabled();
+    // Returns 0 on success
+    int set_xdg_autostart(bool enable);
+
+    // Systemd user service helpers
+    bool is_systemd_service_enabled(const char *service_name);
+    bool disable_systemd_service(const char *service_name);
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/Overlay.cpp b/src/Overlay.cpp
index f474195..882f718 100644
--- a/src/Overlay.cpp
+++ b/src/Overlay.cpp
@@ -1352,15 +1352,23 @@ namespace gsr {
                     if(exit_status == 0)
                         return;
 
-                    if(exit_status == 127) {
-                        if(enable)
-                            show_notification(TR("Failed to add GPU Screen Recorder to system startup.\nThis option only works on systems that use systemd.\nYou have to manually add \"gsr-ui\" to system startup on systems that uses another init system."), 7.0, mgl::Color(255, 255, 255), mgl::Color(255, 0, 0), NotificationType::NOTICE, nullptr, NotificationLevel::ERROR);
-                    } else {
-                        if(enable)
-                            show_notification(TR("Failed to add GPU Screen Recorder to system startup"), notification_timeout_seconds, mgl::Color(255, 255, 255), mgl::Color(255, 0, 0), NotificationType::NOTICE, nullptr, NotificationLevel::ERROR);
-                        else
-                            show_notification(TR("Failed to remove GPU Screen Recorder from system startup"), notification_timeout_seconds, mgl::Color(255, 255, 255), mgl::Color(255, 0, 0), NotificationType::NOTICE, nullptr, NotificationLevel::ERROR);
+                    if(exit_status == 67) {
+                        show_notification(
+                            TR("To enable autorun: install and configure 'dex' (recommended), or manually add 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' to your desktop autostart entries."),
+                            10.0,
+                            mgl::Color(255, 255, 255),
+                            mgl::Color(255, 0, 0),
+                            NotificationType::NOTICE,
+                            nullptr,
+                            NotificationLevel::ERROR
+                        );
+                        return;
                     }
+
+                    if(enable)
+                        show_notification(TR("Failed to add GPU Screen Recorder to system startup"), notification_timeout_seconds, mgl::Color(255, 255, 255), mgl::Color(255, 0, 0), NotificationType::NOTICE, nullptr, NotificationLevel::ERROR);
+                    else
+                        show_notification(TR("Failed to remove GPU Screen Recorder from system startup"), notification_timeout_seconds, mgl::Color(255, 255, 255), mgl::Color(255, 0, 0), NotificationType::NOTICE, nullptr, NotificationLevel::ERROR);
                 };
 
                 settings_page->on_click_exit_program_button = [this](const char *reason) {
@@ -1857,9 +1865,7 @@ namespace gsr {
         else
             exit_reason = "exit";
 
-        const char *args[] = { "systemctl", "disable", "--user", "gpu-screen-recorder-ui", nullptr };
-        std::string stdout_str;
-        exec_program_on_host_get_stdout(args, stdout_str);
+        set_xdg_autostart(false);
         exit();
     }
 
diff --git a/src/Utils.cpp b/src/Utils.cpp
index c36a64a..59720ae 100644
--- a/src/Utils.cpp
+++ b/src/Utils.cpp
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 #include <limits.h>
 #include <string.h>
 #include <sys/stat.h>
+#include "../include/Process.hpp"
 
 namespace gsr {
     void string_split_char(std::string_view str, char delimiter, StringSplitCallback callback_func) {
@@ -238,4 +239,63 @@ namespace gsr {
         }
         return result;
     }
+
+    bool is_xdg_autostart_enabled() {
+        const char *args[] = {
+            "/bin/sh", "-c",
+            "cat \"${XDG_CONFIG_HOME:-$HOME/.config}/autostart/gpu-screen-recorder-ui.desktop\"",
+            nullptr
+        };
+        std::string output;
+        if(exec_program_on_host_get_stdout(args, output, true) != 0)
+            return false;
+        return output.find("Hidden=true") == std::string::npos;
+    }
+
+    int set_xdg_autostart(bool enable) {
+        const char *xdg_current_desktop = getenv("XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP");
+        if(!xdg_current_desktop || strlen(xdg_current_desktop) == 0) {
+            std::string output;
+            const char *check_dex_args[] = { "/bin/sh", "-c", "command -v dex", nullptr };
+            if(exec_program_on_host_get_stdout(check_dex_args, output, true) != 0)
+                return 67;
+        }
+
+        const char *exec_line = (getenv("FLATPAK_ID") != nullptr)
+            ? "Exec=flatpak run com.dec05eba.gpu_screen_recorder gsr-ui launch-daemon"
+            : "Exec=gsr-ui launch-daemon";
+
+        std::string content =
+            "[Desktop Entry]\n"
+            "Type=Application\n"
+            "Name=GPU Screen Recorder\n"
+            "GenericName=Screen recorder\n"
+            "Comment=A ShadowPlay-like screen recorder for Linux\n"
+            "Icon=gpu-screen-recorder\n" +
+            std::string(exec_line) + "\n" +
+            "Terminal=false\n" +
+            "Hidden=" + (enable ? "false" : "true") + "\n";
+
+        std::string shell_cmd =
+            "p=\"${XDG_CONFIG_HOME:-$HOME/.config}/autostart/gpu-screen-recorder-ui.desktop\" && "
+            "mkdir -p \"$(dirname \"$p\")\" && "
+            "printf '" + content + "' > \"$p\"";
+
+        const char *args[] = { "/bin/sh", "-c", shell_cmd.c_str(), nullptr };
+        std::string dummy;
+        return exec_program_on_host_get_stdout(args, dummy, true);
+    }
+
+    bool is_systemd_service_enabled(const char *service_name) {
+        const char *args[] = { "systemctl", "--user", "is-enabled", service_name, nullptr };
+        std::string output;
+        return exec_program_on_host_get_stdout(args, output, false) == 0;
+    }
+
+    bool disable_systemd_service(const char *service_name) {
+        const char *args[] = { "systemctl", "--user", "disable", service_name, nullptr };
+        std::string output;
+        return exec_program_on_host_get_stdout(args, output, false) == 0;
+    }
+
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/gui/GlobalSettingsPage.cpp b/src/gui/GlobalSettingsPage.cpp
index c4b69bc..f1ba686 100644
--- a/src/gui/GlobalSettingsPage.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/GlobalSettingsPage.cpp
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include "../../include/Overlay.hpp"
 #include "../../include/Theme.hpp"
 #include "../../include/Process.hpp"
+#include "../../include/Utils.hpp"
 #include "../../include/Translation.hpp"
 #include "../../include/gui/GsrPage.hpp"
 #include "../../include/gui/PageStack.hpp"
@@ -180,9 +181,7 @@ namespace gsr {
             else
                 return false;
 
-            const char *args[] = { "systemctl", enable ? "enable" : "disable", "--user", "gpu-screen-recorder-ui", nullptr };
-            std::string stdout_str;
-            const int exit_status = exec_program_on_host_get_stdout(args, stdout_str);
+            const int exit_status = set_xdg_autostart(enable);
             if(on_startup_changed)
                 on_startup_changed(enable, exit_status);
             return exit_status == 0;
@@ -633,10 +632,7 @@ namespace gsr {
         else
             tint_color_radio_button_ptr->set_selected_item(config.main_config.tint_color);
 
-        const char *args[] = { "systemctl", "is-enabled", "--quiet", "--user", "gpu-screen-recorder-ui", nullptr };
-        std::string stdout_str;
-        const int exit_status = exec_program_on_host_get_stdout(args, stdout_str);
-        startup_radio_button_ptr->set_selected_item(exit_status == 0 ? "start_on_system_startup" : "dont_start_on_system_startup", false, false);
+        startup_radio_button_ptr->set_selected_item(is_xdg_autostart_enabled() ? "start_on_system_startup" : "dont_start_on_system_startup", false, false);
 
         enable_keyboard_hotkeys_radio_button_ptr->set_selected_item(config.main_config.hotkeys_enable_option, false, false);
         enable_joystick_hotkeys_radio_button_ptr->set_selected_item(config.main_config.joystick_hotkeys_enable_option, false, false);
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index 78d54c5..b5245d4 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #include "../include/GsrInfo.hpp"
 #include "../include/Overlay.hpp"
+#include "../include/Utils.hpp"
 #include "../include/gui/Utils.hpp"
 #include "../include/Process.hpp"
 #include "../include/Rpc.hpp"
@@ -117,47 +118,6 @@ static void rpc_add_commands(gsr::Rpc *rpc, gsr::Overlay *overlay) {
     });
 }
 
-static void install_flatpak_systemd_service() {
-    const bool systemd_service_exists = system(
-        "data_home=$(flatpak-spawn --host -- /bin/sh -c 'echo \"${XDG_DATA_HOME:-$HOME/.local/share}\"') && "
-        "flatpak-spawn --host -- ls \"$data_home/systemd/user/gpu-screen-recorder-ui.service\"") == 0;
-    if(systemd_service_exists)
-        return;
-
-    bool service_install_successful = (system(
-        "data_home=$(flatpak-spawn --host -- /bin/sh -c 'echo \"${XDG_DATA_HOME:-$HOME/.local/share}\"') && "
-        "flatpak-spawn --host -- install -Dm644 /var/lib/flatpak/app/com.dec05eba.gpu_screen_recorder/current/active/files/share/gpu-screen-recorder/gpu-screen-recorder-ui.service \"$data_home/systemd/user/gpu-screen-recorder-ui.service\"") == 0);
-    service_install_successful &= (system("flatpak-spawn --host -- systemctl --user daemon-reload") == 0);
-    if(service_install_successful)
-        fprintf(stderr, "Info: the systemd service file was missing. It has now been installed\n");
-    else
-        fprintf(stderr, "Error: the systemd service file is missing and failed to install it again\n");
-}
-
-static void remove_flatpak_systemd_service() {
-    char systemd_service_path[PATH_MAX];
-    const char *xdg_data_home = getenv("XDG_DATA_HOME");
-    const char *home = getenv("HOME");
-    if(xdg_data_home) {
-        snprintf(systemd_service_path, sizeof(systemd_service_path), "%s/systemd/user/gpu-screen-recorder-ui.service", xdg_data_home);
-    } else if(home) {
-        snprintf(systemd_service_path, sizeof(systemd_service_path), "%s/.local/share/systemd/user/gpu-screen-recorder-ui.service", home);
-    } else {
-        fprintf(stderr, "Error: failed to get user home directory\n");
-        return;
-    }
-
-    if(access(systemd_service_path, F_OK) != 0)
-        return;
-
-    remove(systemd_service_path);
-    system("systemctl --user daemon-reload");
-    fprintf(stderr, "Info: conflicting flatpak version of the systemd service for gsr-ui was found at \"%s\", it has now been removed\n", systemd_service_path);
-}
-
-static bool is_flatpak() {
-    return getenv("FLATPAK_ID") != nullptr;
-}
 
 static void set_display_server_environment_variables() {
     // Some users dont have properly setup environments (no display manager that does systemctl --user import-environment DISPLAY WAYLAND_DISPLAY)
@@ -278,11 +238,6 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
         return 1;
     }
 
-    if(is_flatpak())
-        install_flatpak_systemd_service();
-    else
-        remove_flatpak_systemd_service();
-
     // Stop nvidia driver from buffering frames
     setenv("__GL_MaxFramesAllowed", "1", true);
     // If this is set to 1 then cuGraphicsGLRegisterImage will fail for egl context with error: invalid OpenGL or DirectX context,
@@ -346,6 +301,24 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 
     rpc_add_commands(rpc.get(), overlay.get());
 
+    // Evacuating from lennart's botnet to XDG (a.k.a. 'the spec that nobody actually follows').
+    constexpr const char *deprecated_systemd_service_name = "gpu-screen-recorder-ui.service";
+    if(gsr::is_systemd_service_enabled(deprecated_systemd_service_name)) {
+        const int autostart_result = gsr::set_xdg_autostart(true);
+        if(autostart_result == 67) {
+            overlay->show_notification(
+                TR("GPU Screen Recorder UI autostart via systemd is deprecated.\nTo migrate: install and configure 'dex' (recommended),\nor manually add 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' to your desktop autostart entries."),
+                10.0, mgl::Color(255, 255, 255), mgl::Color(255, 0, 0),
+                gsr::NotificationType::NOTICE, nullptr, gsr::NotificationLevel::ERROR);
+        } else {
+            gsr::disable_systemd_service(deprecated_systemd_service_name);
+            overlay->show_notification(
+                TR("GPU Screen Recorder UI startup has been switched from systemd service to XDG autostart."),
+                8.0, mgl::Color(255, 255, 255), gsr::get_color_theme().tint_color,
+                gsr::NotificationType::NOTICE, nullptr, gsr::NotificationLevel::INFO);
+        }
+    }
+
     // TODO: Add hotkeys in Overlay when using x11 global hotkeys. The hotkeys in Overlay should duplicate each key that is used for x11 global hotkeys.
 
     std::string exit_reason;
diff --git a/translations/es.txt b/translations/es.txt
index 03c00e6..edc2f76 100644
--- a/translations/es.txt
+++ b/translations/es.txt
@@ -98,7 +98,9 @@ Failed to launch gpu-screen-recorder to take a screenshot=Fallo al lanzar gpu-sc
 # System startup notifications
 Failed to add GPU Screen Recorder to system startup=Fallo al añadir GPU Screen Recorder al inicio del sistema
 Failed to remove GPU Screen Recorder from system startup=Fallo al eliminar GPU Screen Recorder del inicio del sistema
-Failed to add GPU Screen Recorder to system startup.\nThis option only works on systems that use systemd.\nYou have to manually add "gsr-ui" to system startup on systems that uses another init system.=Fallo al añadir GPU Screen Recorder al inicio del sistema.\nEsta opción solo funciona en sistemas que usan systemd.\nTienes que añadir "gsr-ui" manualmente al inicio del sistema en aquellos que usen otro sistema de arranque.
+To enable autorun: install and configure 'dex' (recommended), or manually add 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' to your desktop autostart entries.=Para activar el inicio automático: instala y configura 'dex' (recomendado) o añade manualmente 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' a las entradas de inicio automático del escritorio.
+GPU Screen Recorder UI startup has been switched from systemd service to XDG autostart.=El inicio de GPU Screen Recorder UI ha cambiado del servicio systemd al inicio automático XDG.
+GPU Screen Recorder UI autostart via systemd is deprecated.\nTo migrate: install and configure 'dex' (recommended),\nor manually add 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' to your desktop autostart entries.=El inicio automático de GPU Screen Recorder UI mediante systemd está obsoleto.\nPara migrar: instala y configura 'dex' (recomendado)\no añade manualmente 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' a las entradas de inicio automático del escritorio.
 
 # Wayland warning
 Wayland doesn't support GPU Screen Recorder UI properly,\nthings may not work as expected. Use X11 if you experience issues.=Wayland no ofrece soporte adecuado para GPU Screen Recorder UI;\nes posible que el funcionamiento no sea el esperado. Si experimentas problemas, utiliza X11.
diff --git a/translations/fr.txt b/translations/fr.txt
index bea20a9..082a6f4 100644
--- a/translations/fr.txt
+++ b/translations/fr.txt
@@ -101,7 +101,9 @@ Failed to launch gpu-screen-recorder to take a screenshot=Échec du lancement de
 # System startup notifications
 Failed to add GPU Screen Recorder to system startup=Échec de l’ajout de GPU Screen Recorder au démarrage du système
 Failed to remove GPU Screen Recorder from system startup=Échec de la suppression de GPU Screen Recorder du démarrage du système
-Failed to add GPU Screen Recorder to system startup.\nThis option only works on systems that use systemd.\nYou have to manually add "gsr-ui" to system startup on systems that uses another init system.=Échec de l’ajout de GPU Screen Recorder au démarrage.\nCette option fonctionne uniquement sur les systèmes utilisant systemd.\nVous devez ajouter manuellement "gsr-ui" au démarrage sur les autres systèmes.
+To enable autorun: install and configure 'dex' (recommended), or manually add 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' to your desktop autostart entries.=Pour activer le démarrage automatique : installez et configurez 'dex' (recommandé) ou ajoutez manuellement 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' aux entrées de démarrage automatique du bureau.
+GPU Screen Recorder UI startup has been switched from systemd service to XDG autostart.=Le démarrage de GPU Screen Recorder UI a été basculé du service systemd vers le démarrage automatique XDG.
+GPU Screen Recorder UI autostart via systemd is deprecated.\nTo migrate: install and configure 'dex' (recommended),\nor manually add 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' to your desktop autostart entries.=Le démarrage automatique de GPU Screen Recorder UI via systemd est obsolète.\nPour migrer : installez et configurez 'dex' (recommandé)\nou ajoutez manuellement 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' aux entrées de démarrage automatique du bureau.
 
 # Wayland warning
 Wayland doesn't support GPU Screen Recorder UI properly,\nthings may not work as expected. Use X11 if you experience issues.=Wayland ne supporte pas correctement l’UI de GPU Screen Recorder,\ncertains éléments peuvent mal fonctionner. Utilisez X11 si vous rencontrez des problèmes.
diff --git a/translations/ru.txt b/translations/ru.txt
index 2f6b8f3..d6a0bf6 100644
--- a/translations/ru.txt
+++ b/translations/ru.txt
@@ -98,7 +98,9 @@ Failed to launch gpu-screen-recorder to take a screenshot=Не удалось з
 # System startup notifications
 Failed to add GPU Screen Recorder to system startup=Не удалось добавить GPU Screen Recorder в автозагрузку системы
 Failed to remove GPU Screen Recorder from system startup=Не удалось удалить GPU Screen Recorder из автозагрузки системы
-Failed to add GPU Screen Recorder to system startup.\nThis option only works on systems that use systemd.\nYou have to manually add "gsr-ui" to system startup on systems that uses another init system.=Не удалось добавить GPU Screen Recorder в автозагрузку системы.\nЭта опция работает только на системах, использующих systemd.\nВы должны вручную добавить "gsr-ui" в автозагрузку на системах с другой init-системой.
+To enable autorun: install and configure 'dex' (recommended), or manually add 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' to your desktop autostart entries.=Для включения автозапуска: установите и настройте 'dex' (рекомендуется) или вручную добавьте 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' в записи автозапуска рабочего стола.
+GPU Screen Recorder UI startup has been switched from systemd service to XDG autostart.=Автозапуск GPU Screen Recorder UI переключён с сервиса systemd на XDG-автозапуск.
+GPU Screen Recorder UI autostart via systemd is deprecated.\nTo migrate: install and configure 'dex' (recommended),\nor manually add 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' to your desktop autostart entries.=Автозапуск GPU Screen Recorder UI через systemd устарел.\nДля миграции: установите и настройте 'dex' (рекомендуется)\nили вручную добавьте 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' в записи автозапуска рабочего стола.
 
 # Wayland warning
 Wayland doesn't support GPU Screen Recorder UI properly,\nthings may not work as expected. Use X11 if you experience issues.=Wayland не поддерживает интерфейс GPU Screen Recorder должным образом,\nнекоторые функции могут не работать. Используйте X11, если возникнут проблемы.
diff --git a/translations/template.txt b/translations/template.txt
index 22551ba..f6125d0 100644
--- a/translations/template.txt
+++ b/translations/template.txt
@@ -101,7 +101,9 @@ Failed to launch gpu-screen-recorder to take a screenshot=
 # System startup notifications
 Failed to add GPU Screen Recorder to system startup=
 Failed to remove GPU Screen Recorder from system startup=
-Failed to add GPU Screen Recorder to system startup.\nThis option only works on systems that use systemd.\nYou have to manually add "gsr-ui" to system startup on systems that uses another init system.=
+To enable autorun: install and configure 'dex' (recommended), or manually add 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' to your desktop autostart entries.=
+GPU Screen Recorder UI startup has been switched from systemd service to XDG autostart.=
+GPU Screen Recorder UI autostart via systemd is deprecated.\nTo migrate: install and configure 'dex' (recommended),\nor manually add 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' to your desktop autostart entries.=
 
 # Wayland warning
 Wayland doesn't support GPU Screen Recorder UI properly,\nthings may not work as expected. Use X11 if you experience issues.=
diff --git a/translations/uk.txt b/translations/uk.txt
index 93082cb..a8bdad7 100644
--- a/translations/uk.txt
+++ b/translations/uk.txt
@@ -98,7 +98,9 @@ Failed to launch gpu-screen-recorder to take a screenshot=Не вдалося з
 # System startup notifications
 Failed to add GPU Screen Recorder to system startup=Не вдалося додати GPU Screen Recorder до автозавантаження системи
 Failed to remove GPU Screen Recorder from system startup=Не вдалося видалити GPU Screen Recorder з автозавантаження системи
-Failed to add GPU Screen Recorder to system startup.\nThis option only works on systems that use systemd.\nYou have to manually add "gsr-ui" to system startup on systems that uses another init system.=Не вдалося додати GPU Screen Recorder до автозавантаження системи.\nЦя опція працює лише на системах, що використовують systemd.\nВи маєте вручну додати "gsr-ui" до автозавантаження на системах з іншою init-системою.
+To enable autorun: install and configure 'dex' (recommended), or manually add 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' to your desktop autostart entries.=Для увімкнення автозапуску: встановіть та налаштуйте 'dex' (рекомендовано) або вручну додайте 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' до записів автозапуску робочого столу.
+GPU Screen Recorder UI startup has been switched from systemd service to XDG autostart.=Автозапуск GPU Screen Recorder UI переключено зі служби systemd на XDG-автозапуск.
+GPU Screen Recorder UI autostart via systemd is deprecated.\nTo migrate: install and configure 'dex' (recommended),\nor manually add 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' to your desktop autostart entries.=Автозапуск GPU Screen Recorder UI через systemd застарів.\nДля міграції: встановіть та налаштуйте 'dex' (рекомендовано)\nабо вручну додайте 'gsr-ui launch-daemon' до записів автозапуску робочого столу.
 
 # Wayland warning
 Wayland doesn't support GPU Screen Recorder UI properly,\nthings may not work as expected. Use X11 if you experience issues.=Wayland не підтримує інтерфейс GPU Screen Recorder належним чином,\nдеякі функції можуть не працювати. Використовуйте X11, якщо виникнуть проблеми.