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Windows 11 can launch an app automatically each time you sign in. The quickest method is Settings > Apps > Startup, but apps that do not appear there can still be added through a Startup folder.
These instructions configure programs to open after your Windows account signs in. They do not make an app run before the sign-in screen appears.
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Method 1: Turn on a registered startup app in Settings
Use this method when the program already appears in Windows 11’s startup-app list.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems- Open Start and select Settings. You can also press Windows key + I.
- Select Apps in the left pane.
- Select Startup.
- Find the program you want to launch when you sign in.
- Set its toggle to On.
Windows will launch the enabled app automatically at your next sign-in. The page may also show a chevron beside an app. Select it to view any advanced settings available for that program.
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To stop the app opening automatically, return to the same page and set its toggle to Off. Disabling startup does not uninstall the application.
Method 2: Enable a program in Task Manager
Task Manager provides another way to switch registered startup apps on or off and also shows Windows’ startup-impact estimate.
- Right-click Start.
- Select Task Manager.
- Select Startup apps. If the compact Task Manager view is open, select More details first.
- Select the program.
- Select Enable to launch it at sign-in, or Disable to prevent it from launching.
Settings and Task Manager show the same registered startup-app list. Task Manager does not reveal a separate, more complete set of programs; its extra benefit is the startup-impact information.
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What Task Manager’s startup-impact labels mean
| Label | Meaning |
|---|---|
| None | The startup app is disabled. |
| Not measured | The app is enabled, but Windows does not have measurement data for it. |
| 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. |
Startup impact is a useful prioritization guide, not a rule that every high-impact app should be disabled. For example, a synchronization, security, or communications app may need to start with Windows even if it uses more resources.
Method 3: Add an app that is missing from the Startup list
If a program is not listed in Settings or Task Manager, use a Startup folder. This is particularly useful for applications that Windows has not registered with a startup task.
Open the Startup folder for your account
- Press Windows key + R. Alternatively, right-click Start and select Run.
- Enter
shell:startup. - Press Enter.
This opens the current user’s Startup folder:
%userprofile%AppDataRoamingMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartupShortcuts placed in this folder launch when that particular user signs in.
Open the Startup folder for every user
To make the shortcut apply to users who sign in to that Windows installation:
- Open Run with Windows key + R.
- Enter
shell:common startup. - Press Enter.
The full path is:
%ProgramData%MicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartupAdding a shortcut here may require administrator permission.
Add the program’s shortcut
The Startup folder should contain a shortcut or link to the app, not a second copy of the application. One Microsoft-documented way to create it is:
- Open Run, enter
shell:appsfolder, and press Enter. Leave this File Explorer window open. - Open Run again.
- Enter either
shell:startupfor your account orshell:common startupfor all users, then press Enter. - Arrange the two File Explorer windows so both are visible.
- Drag the desired application from the Applications folder into the Startup folder.
Windows creates a shortcut in the destination folder. Sign out and sign in again to test whether the program opens.
Remove a program added through a Startup folder
- Open
shell:startupfor a per-user shortcut orshell:common startupfor an all-users shortcut. - Find the application’s shortcut.
- Delete the shortcut.
This removes the automatic launch instruction; it does not uninstall the application itself.
Fix a missing or broken startup entry
Settings may show “We couldn’t find this app” when an application was uninstalled, moved, installed on a removable drive, or stored on a network drive whose path is unavailable.
Select the open-in-new-window icon beside the On/Off toggle. Windows can show the registry location or file path containing the broken reference. After identifying the entry, you can reinstall the app, reconnect the drive, or remove the obsolete startup reference.
Advanced: inspect registry startup entries
Some startup commands are stored in these registry locations:
HKLMSoftwareWow6432NodeMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunThe first two locations apply to applications that run for all users; the last applies to the current user. Editing the registry can cause unintended problems. Before changing anything, back up the registry, and remove only an entry you can positively identify.
For most users, Settings, Task Manager, and the Startup folders are safer and easier to manage than editing these keys directly.
Why limit startup programs?
Every application launched at sign-in can add to startup time and continue using CPU, memory, disk, or network resources in the background. If Windows takes a long time to become responsive, review Task Manager > Startup apps and consider disabling programs you do not need immediately.
Do not disable an entry merely because its name is unfamiliar. Check the publisher, application location, and the program’s purpose first. Avoid disabling security software, hardware utilities, backup tools, or synchronization apps unless you understand what functionality will be lost.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do not confuse Startup apps with Startup Settings
Startup apps controls applications launched when your user signs in. Startup Settings is a Windows Recovery Environment troubleshooting menu. It is reached through Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart and includes options such as Safe Mode.
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Changing Startup Settings is not how you configure an ordinary program to open with Windows.
Windows 10 note
Microsoft documents these startup-app instructions for both Windows 11 and Windows 10. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, according to Microsoft; that date does not change the startup-app paths described above.
Sources: Microsoft: Configure startup applications in Windows, Microsoft: Tips to improve PC performance, and Microsoft: Windows Startup Settings.
FAQ
Why is my program not listed under Settings > Apps > Startup?
The program may not be registered as a Windows startup task. Open shell:startup and place a shortcut to the program there. This lets it start when your account signs in even though it is absent from the registered startup-app list.
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Will a Startup-folder shortcut copy or reinstall the program?
No. The shortcut points to the existing application. Deleting the shortcut later stops automatic startup but does not uninstall the application.
Does a startup app open before I enter my Windows password?
Normally, no. These settings launch applications after the user signs in. They do not configure programs to run at the Windows sign-in screen.
Should I disable every app marked High impact?
No. The label describes measured CPU or disk activity during startup. Keep apps you need immediately—such as security, backup, synchronization, or communications software—and disable only programs whose automatic launch is unnecessary.
What is the difference between shell:startup and shell:common startup?
shell:startup opens the Startup folder for the current user. shell:common startup opens the folder used for all users of the Windows installation.
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For a listed app, go to Start > Settings > Apps > Startup and switch it on. If it is not listed, add a shortcut through shell:startup or shell:common startup. Use Task Manager when you also want startup-impact data, and remove only shortcuts or entries you can identify confidently.
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