The Startup folder contains a list of application shortcuts that run automatically every time you start up your computer. You can add programs by adding their shortcuts to the folder to make them run during your Windows 11 or Windows 10 startup. You can also remove any of them if you don’t want them to run during startup.
Location of Startup Folder for All users
Here’s how to go to the all-users’ startup folder in Windows 10 or Windows 11:
- Open File Explorer from the start menu.
- Browse to the following directory.
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp
- Please take note that the above directory is assuming your default Windows was installed in C: drive. If your Windows is in another drive, change the drive letter.
- Add or remove any program’s shortcut into or from the folder.
Another much faster way to go to the startup folder in Windows 11/10:
- Go to start menu and type Run. Hit enter.
- In the Open field, type shell:common startup and then hit enter.
Startup Folder for Current User Only
If you would like to configure startup for only the currently logged-in user, here’s where you should go:
- Open File Explorer.
- Browse to the following folder.
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
- Replace the Username with the actual username you’re currently using in your Windows system.
- Add or remove any shortcut as you want.
Another quicker method to go to this folder:
- Go to start menu and type Run. Press enter.
- Type shell:startup in the open field and press enter.
Configure Windows 11/10 Startup Apps from Msconfig
Not all application EXE shortcuts would be shown in the startup folder mentioned above. Some would not be there but would still run during startup. To have a clearer view of all the background programs and services that would run during the startup of your Windows 10 computer, use Msconfig. Here’s how:
- Go to Start, then Run.
- Type msconfig and hit enter.
- In the System Configuration window, go to the Startup tab.
- Click on the Open Task manager link.
- Programs shown in the startup list are all the programs that would run during startup.
- You can disable any of these programs by right clicking it and select disable, if you would not like it to run during startup.
Additional Tips for Optimizing Startup Programs
While the methods above are effective for managing startup programs in Windows 10/11, there are also other ways to further optimize your startup and improve your system’s performance. Here are a few additional tips:
- Use a startup manager tool: There are several third-party startup manager tools available that can help you manage your startup programs more efficiently. These tools offer more advanced features than Windows’ built-in startup manager, such as the ability to delay startup programs, block certain programs from starting, and more.
- Disable unnecessary startup programs: Take a closer look at the programs that are set to run at startup and disable any that you don’t need. Some programs, such as antivirus software or cloud storage services, are important to have running at startup. However, others may not be necessary and can be disabled to free up resources and speed up your system’s boot time.
- Clean up your system: Regularly cleaning up your system can help improve startup times and overall system performance. Use a disk cleanup tool to delete unnecessary files, clear out temporary files, and remove unused programs. This can help free up resources and reduce the number of programs that need to run at startup.
- Upgrade your hardware: If you’re still experiencing slow startup times even after optimizing your startup programs and cleaning up your system, it may be time to upgrade your hardware. Adding more RAM or switching to a faster hard drive or solid-state drive can significantly improve your system’s performance and reduce startup times.
By following these tips and using the methods outlined above, you can effectively manage your startup programs in Windows 10/11 and optimize your system for better performance.
