When you perform a clean install of Windows, certain native applications are assigned to run as soon as you sign in. Here are a few common ones:
CortanaOneDriveMicrosoft Teams (Windows 11)
While some apps are added to support the auto-run feature, as they are installed on your system, such as the following:
SkypeSpotifySnagitInter Driver and Support Assistant
However, some applications are not automatically launched. These need to be manually added to Windows startup, so they start automatically as soon as you sign in. This article discusses how you can add certain apps and programs to the list so that they launch automatically.
What is Windows Startup Folder
The “Startup” folder is a directory inside Windows that contains a list of apps and programs that will run automatically as soon as the system boots up. This is the first place Windows looks to launch applications automatically.
What is Windows Startup Folder Startup Folder Per User Startup Folder for All Users How to Add Programs to Startup using File Explorer Add Programs to Individual User Accounts Startup Add Programs to All User Accounts Startup Alternative Methods to Add Programs to Startup From Apps Folder Directly Inside Startup Folder How to Add Programs to Startup using Task Scheduler How to Add Programs to Startup using Windows Registry Add Programs to Startup for Individual User Accounts Add Programs to Startup for All User Accounts Disadvantages of Adding programs to Startup How to Disable Programs Auto Startup From Startup Folder From Windows Registry From Task Manager From Settings App Closing Words
With that said, there are 2 types of startup folders in Windows
Startup Folder Per User
As the names implicate, one of the startup folders defines the apps to launch automatically for a specific user account, whilst the latter defines the common apps and programs to launch automatically for all user accounts on the computer. The location for the Startup folder for individual users can be found at the following location. You can open file location by copying and pasting it into the Windows Explorer address bar. The data for these files is saved inside the Windows Registry on the following path:
Startup Folder for All Users
In this folder, you will find apps that automatically run on your computer for all user accounts. These are mostly native Windows apps, such as Cortana, OneDrive, etc The location for the common Startup folder for all users can be found at the following location: The data for these files is saved inside the Windows Registry on the following path: Each of these folders can be customized to add or remove apps that run automatically.
How to Add Programs to Startup using File Explorer
Add Programs to Individual User Accounts Startup
Let us now show you how to add applications and programs to the Startup folder for individual user accounts so that they will launch automatically when you log in: Now the next time you sign in to this user account, the app will launch automatically. You can repeat the steps above to add more programs and applications.
Add Programs to All User Accounts Startup
Perform the following steps if you want to add an app or program to launch automatically for all user accounts on your computer: Note: Perform these steps while logged in from an administrative account. The shortcut for the app pasted inside this folder will now be launched for every user on your PC.
Alternative Methods to Add Programs to Startup
The method of creating a shortcut for an app and then shifting it to the Startup folder is already discussed in the steps given above. However, there are more methods to do the same.
From Apps Folder
Shortcuts for some native applications, like the Calculator, Calendar, etc. cannot be created by using the conventional method discussed above. If you do not find an app to add to the Startup list, look inside the “Applications” folder, which can be opened by typing in the following in the Run box: This will open a folder displaying all your current apps on the computer. Here, right-click on the app you want to add to the Startup folder (either user Startup or common Startup) and click Create shortcut from the context menu. You will be asked to create a shortcut on the desktop instead. Create it there and then move the shortcut to the respective Startup folder.
Directly Inside Startup Folder
You can also create a shortcut inside the Startup folder. Here is how: Note: This method is only valid for adding an app to the user-specific Startup folder since the Common Startup folder does not allow you to create shortcuts directly. The shortcut will now be added to the Startup folder and the selected app will launch each time you sign in to your account.
How to Add Programs to Startup using Task Scheduler
You can also schedule apps and programs to start automatically as soon as you sign in to your account using the Task Scheduler Management Console. However, this method only works for individual users, and not all the user accounts on your computer. Perform the following steps to schedule an app start as soon as you log in: The selected application will now launch automatically each time you log in to this user account. If you wish to remove the app from launching automatically, simply delete the task from the Task Scheduler.
How to Add Programs to Startup using Windows Registry
The methods discussed below involve manual changes to the Windows Registry. Misconfiguration of critical values in the system’s registry could be fatal for your operating system. Therefore, we insist that you create a system restore point before proceeding with the process.
Add Programs to Startup for Individual User Accounts
The steps below guide you on how to add an app or program to the Startup list for individual user accounts using the Windows Registry Editor: When the computer reboots, you will see that the selected app will now run automatically.
Add Programs to Startup for All User Accounts
You can follow a similar procedure to add an app for automatic startup in Windows with Windows Registry for all user accounts on your computer. Here is how:
Disadvantages of Adding programs to Startup
You must already know the advantages of adding applications and programs to the Startup folders in Windows. However, there is also a drawback to doing so. Apps that launch automatically will try and open simultaneously when the computer boots up. This will exert a load on the system resources (CPU and RAM) which may affect other critical Windows startups, such as background services and apps. Therefore, adding more apps to the Startup folders will increase the overall time it takes for your PC to become fully operational. We suggest that you only add applications and programs for an automatic startup that are essential, and remove or disable all others.
How to Disable Programs Auto Startup
From Startup Folder
If you have manually added an app or program to the Startup folder for it to launch automatically, then it needs to be removed from the folder to prevent that specific app from launching itself. It can be done using the following method: The app will now no longer launch automatically when you sign in.
From Windows Registry
If you previously added an app to launch automatically from the Registry Editor, then the respective registry will need to be deleted to remove the app from launching at startup. Here is how:
From Task Manager
You can disable applications from starting up automatically through the Task Manager. Here is how:
From Settings App
To disable applications from launching automatically at Windows startup, perform the following steps: This will now prevent the app from starting automatically. If you want to resume the feature, simply toggle the slider again into the On position.
Closing Words
The automatic Startup feature in Windows is sometimes a blessing in disguise, especially if you use the same applications daily. However, you must use it wisely and only add the apps and programs required, so it does not affect your system’s performance. If you have many apps that start up automatically and are no longer in use, we suggest that you disable them using any one of the methods discussed above in this post.
