How To Add Programs To Startup Windows 11 Updated _hot_ Jun 2026

Too many startup programs can lead to high RAM usage right after login, slowing down your system.

If a program does not appear in the Settings menu—such as older desktop software, custom scripts, or specific files—you can force it to open at boot using the hidden Windows Startup folder. Press Windows Key + R to open the dialog box.

You need to first add the program via the next methods (File Explorer or Task Scheduler), and then it will appear in this Settings list for easy toggling afterward.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily add programs to the startup list in Windows 11 and manage them to optimize your system's performance.

Open (Win + I) and select Apps from the left sidebar. Click on Startup at the bottom of the list. Too many startup programs can lead to high

The most accessible and recommended method for most users is the integrated . This interface represents Microsoft’s modern approach to system configuration, prioritizing clarity and safety. To access it, one simply opens the Settings app (Win + I), navigates to the "Apps" section, and then selects "Startup." Here, the user is presented with a clean list of applications that are registered to run at login. Each entry includes the app’s name, its status (On or Off), and, crucially, a metric indicating its "Startup impact" (Not measured, Low, Medium, or High). To add a new program via this method, the user does not directly add it here; instead, the program itself must have an option to "Launch on system startup" or "Open at login," typically found within its own settings menu. Once enabled there, the program will appear in the Settings list, allowing the user to toggle it on or off. The primary virtue of this method is its transparency—users can easily audit which programs are set to launch and understand the potential performance cost of each, preventing the common pitfall of a bloated and sluggish boot time.

This opens the C:\Users\[YourUserName]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup folder.

Right-click in the empty space and select (or Paste shortcut ). | ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons | |

Are you tired of manually launching your favorite programs every time you start your Windows 11 computer? Adding programs to the startup list can save you time and increase your productivity. In this article, we will walk you through the updated steps on , ensuring that you can easily launch your essential applications with just a few clicks.

Click Browse and find your program’s .exe file.

Open your Startup folder (via shell:startup ) and move this new shortcut there. Method 3: Managing Startup Apps via Windows Settings

Windows 11 has a dedicated, easy-to-use menu to manage apps that have already registered themselves as startup-capable.