A method for automatically registering resources required for an application program module to execute. After the application program module is booted, a registration cache, which is stored in association with the application program module, is examined to determine its status. It indicates whether a registry on the computer system needs to be updated, e.g., after the user has moved files or renamed files. If so, a search is made through a predetermined directory to look for an application file or a dynamic link library file. If either is found, a resource fork in association with the file is opened, and it is determined whether there is a self-registration resource or an Object Linking and Embedded (OLE) Type Library (OTLB) in the resource fork. If found, any self-registration resource is registered by initiating a self-registration dynamic link library, and any OTLB resource is registered by initiating an OLE call.