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Windows 11 can open an application automatically after you sign in. The quickest method is Settings > Apps > Startup, but programs that are not registered there can still be launched through a Startup folder shortcut.
These settings control applications that start after your user account signs in. They do not control what appears before the sign-in screen, and they are separate from Windows Startup Settings, the recovery menu used for options such as Safe Mode.
Turn on a startup program in Settings
Use this method when the application appears in Windows’ registered startup-app list.
- Open Start and select Settings. You can also press Windows key + I.
- Select Apps in the left pane.
- Select Startup.
- Find the application you want to launch when you sign in.
- Set its toggle to On.
Windows will launch the enabled application automatically at sign-in. To stop that behavior later, return to the same page and set the toggle to Off.
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Select an application’s chevron, when available, to view its advanced settings. The startup list can include applications installed from different sources, so the name shown may not always match the name of the executable file.
Use Task Manager to enable or disable startup apps
Task Manager controls the same registered startup-app list shown in Settings. Its useful extra is the Startup impact information, which helps identify applications that consume significant resources while Windows starts.
- Right-click the Start button.
- Select Task Manager.
- Select the Startup apps tab. If necessary, select the three-line menu button to reveal the navigation labels.
- Select an application.
- Choose Enable to start it automatically at sign-in, or Disable to prevent it from doing so.
Task Manager’s impact labels are based on the application’s measured CPU and disk activity:
| Label | Meaning |
|---|---|
| None | The startup app is disabled. |
| Not Measured | The app is enabled, but Windows does not have measurement data. |
| Low Impact | Total CPU use is under 300 milliseconds and total disk use is under 292 KB. |
| Medium Impact | CPU use is over 300 milliseconds but under 1 second, or disk use is over 292 KB but under 3 MB. |
| High Impact | CPU use exceeds 1 second, or disk use exceeds 3 MB. |
These labels describe startup resource use; they do not automatically tell you whether an application is safe to disable. For example, a cloud-sync, security, hardware-control, or communication app may provide a feature you expect even if you rarely open its main window.
Add a program that is missing from the Startup list
If an application does not appear in Settings or Task Manager, Windows can still start it using a shortcut in a Startup folder. This is the appropriate built-in method for an application that is not registered with Windows as a startup task.
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Start the program for your user account only
- Press Windows key + R. Alternatively, right-click Start and select Run.
- Enter
shell:startupand select Enter. - Place a shortcut to the application in the folder that opens.
The full path to this current-user folder is:
%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
A shortcut in this folder runs when that particular user signs in. It does not automatically apply to other accounts on the computer.
Start the program for every user
- Open Run with Windows key + R, or right-click Start > Run.
- Enter
shell:common startupand select Enter. - Place the application’s shortcut in the folder that opens.
The full path to the all-users folder is:
%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
A shortcut placed there applies to users who sign in to that Windows installation. Windows may request administrator permission when you add or modify an item in this folder.
Use Microsoft’s drag-and-drop method to create the shortcut
You do not need to find the application’s executable file manually. Windows can display installed applications and let you drag one into the appropriate Startup folder.
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- Right-click Start > Run.
- Enter
shell:appsfolderand select Enter. Leave the resulting File Explorer window open. - Open Run again.
- Enter
shell:startupfor your account, orshell:common startupfor all users, and select Enter. - Drag the desired application from the first File Explorer window into the Startup-folder window.
This creates a shortcut or link in the Startup folder. It does not copy or reinstall the application.
Remove a program from a Startup folder
Open the relevant folder with shell:startup or shell:common startup, then delete the application’s shortcut. Deleting the shortcut prevents this Startup-folder entry from launching; it does not uninstall the application.
For applications controlled through Settings or Task Manager, use the application’s Off or Disable option instead.
What to do when Windows says “We couldn’t find this app”
Settings may show “We couldn’t find this app” when the startup reference points to a location Windows can no longer access. Common causes include:
- The application was uninstalled.
- The program was moved or its path changed.
- The application is stored on a removable drive that is disconnected.
- The program is on a network drive that is unavailable.
Select the open-in-new-window icon beside the On/Off toggle to inspect the registry location or file path containing the broken reference. If the application is no longer installed, remove the obsolete startup reference rather than repeatedly switching its toggle.
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Advanced option: check registry startup entries
Some startup entries are stored in the Windows registry. The relevant locations are:
HKLM\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
The first two locations apply to applications that run for all users. The HKCU location applies to the current user.
Use registry editing only when you understand which entry you are changing. Microsoft warns that registry changes can have unintended consequences. Back up the registry before modifying it, and do not delete entries simply because their names are unfamiliar.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which startup method should you use?
| Situation | Best method |
|---|---|
| The application appears in the normal startup list | Settings > Apps > Startup |
| You want startup-impact information | Task Manager > Startup apps |
| The application is missing from both lists | Add its shortcut to shell:startup or shell:common startup |
| You need to investigate a broken or unusual entry | Inspect the path shown by Settings, or carefully check the registry |
Startup applications can slow the time it takes Windows to become usable and can increase background resource use. Disable applications you do not need immediately after sign-in, but keep software enabled when you rely on its background service or hardware, security, synchronization, or communication functions.
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Windows 10 note
The same Microsoft instructions cover Windows 10 and Windows 11. The startup-app paths described above are unchanged for this purpose. Microsoft lists October 14, 2025 as the end of Windows 10 support; after that date, Microsoft no longer provides free Windows Update software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10.
FAQ
Why is my program not listed under Apps > Startup?
The program may not be registered with Windows as a startup task. Open Run and enter shell:startup, then add an application shortcut to start it for your account. Use shell:common startup to apply the shortcut to all users.
Does Task Manager show more startup programs than Settings?
No. Settings and Task Manager show the same registered startup-app list. Task Manager adds startup-impact information, but it is not a separate, more comprehensive list.
Will a startup app open before I sign in?
Not necessarily. These startup-app settings launch applications automatically when the user signs in. They do not generally launch the application before the Windows sign-in screen.
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Is Startup apps the same as Startup Settings?
No. Startup apps controls applications launched at sign-in. Windows Startup Settings is a Windows Recovery Environment troubleshooting menu reached through Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, with options such as Safe Mode.
Does deleting a Startup-folder shortcut uninstall the program?
No. It only removes that automatic-launch shortcut. The application remains installed and can still be opened normally.
How do I stop an app from opening when Windows starts?
For a listed app, go to Settings > Apps > Startup and set it to Off, or disable it under Task Manager > Startup apps. For a folder-based entry, delete its shortcut from shell:startup or shell:common startup.
The Bottom Line
For a listed application, use Start > Settings > Apps > Startup and switch it On. Use Task Manager when you also want startup-impact data. If the program is missing from both lists, open shell:startup and add a shortcut; use shell:common startup when every Windows user should get it. These methods launch applications after sign-in, not necessarily before it.
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