I am using XAMPP, version 3.2.1. I just installed it on Windows 8. Every time I need to go to the XAMPP Control Panel to start services (MySQL, Apache,...); in Windows&
C/users/YourUserName/AppData/Roaming/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu/Programs/Start-up
Press Windows + R and write shell:startup. Press Enter. It will move you to the directory.
It will open XAMPP automatically.
If you want to auto start Apache and MySQL, click on config in XAMPP and check the Apache and XAMPP items (if unchecked) and save it. It will start it automatically.