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How to Add Programs to Startup in Windows 11

Launch your favorite apps every time you boot up

By Matthew S. Smith Matthew S. Smith Writer Beloit College Matthew S. Smith has been writing about consumer tech since 2007. Formerly the Lead Editor at Digital Trends, he's also written for PC Mag, TechHive, and others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 3, 2021 Reviewed by Jon Fisher Reviewed by Jon Fisher Wichita Technical Institute Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Microsoft Microsoft Apple Google Tablets Accessories & Hardware

What to Know

Launch Windows Start and select the Settings app.Open the Apps section and then tap Startup.Toggle apps you want to launch when Windows 11 boots. Windows 11 lets you control startup programs by adding a dedicated interface to the settings menu. Originally added to Windows 10, this feature makes adding and removing startup programs far easier for most people. Here's how to add programs to startup in Windows 11.

How to Add Programs to Startup in Windows 11

You can add or remove startup programs using a menu built into the Windows 11 settings menu. Here's how to access it. Open the Windows Start menu. Select the Settings app. Find and select Apps from the menu on the left side of the Settings app. Tap Startup. You will see a list of apps with toggles. Flip a toggle on to add a program to startup or off to remove a program from startup. The Startup menu will automatically list or remove apps when you install or uninstall them. It also provides an estimate of how much a program might increase the startup process. This estimate ranges from No impact to High impact. Don't read too much into this estimate, however. In our experience, even older Windows 11 PCs can handle over a half dozen High impact startup programs without significantly slowing Windows 11's performance.

How Do I Remove My Startup Programs in Windows 11

You can remove programs using the same steps listed above. Flip a toggle to the off position on the list of Startup apps to stop it from starting when Windows boots.

What Programs Must Run at Startup

None of the programs listed in Startup must run when Windows boots. You can still use the operating system with every program toggled to off. However, some programs are more important than others. Programs that automatically sync data with the cloud, such as OneDrive, iCloud, Slack, or Microsoft Teams, should generally be left on. Leaving them on means you won't have to wait for files to download and won't miss out on notifications. It's safer to turn off programs that don't sync data or only sync data you infrequently access. Examples could include software that manages a wireless keyboard or a background process that manages cloud sync for an image editor.

What If a Program Isn' t Listed in Startup

The Startup list is useful, but it may not list every app that is installed. Windows 11 (as well as older versions of Windows) sometimes fail to detect all installed software. This happens most frequently with programs released prior to Windows 8. Odds are you can still add or remove the program from startup, but you'll need to use an older method that digs deeper into Windows' settings. Our guide to how to add programs to startup in Windows 10 provides detailed instructions. FAQ How do I add programs to startup in Windows 10? Use the Windows key+R keyboard combination to open the Run dialog box. Enter shell:startup to open the Windows 10 startup folder. Right-click in the folder > select New > Shortcut > Browse > New > Finish to add a new startup program. Repeat as desired to launch other apps when you start your computer. How do I add or remove programs from startup in Windows 7? Change startup programs in Windows 7 by disabling or enabling items using the System Configuration tool. Launch the Start menu and search for and select msconfig.exe. From System Configuration, choose Startup and uncheck or check the items you want to include in the startup process. To add a new program to the startup folder, create a shortcut and place it inside the startup folder. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Add Programs to Startup in Windows 10 Startup Settings (What It Is and How to Use It) How to Use Quick Settings in Windows 11 9 Best Free Firewall Programs (Updated October 2022) How to Disable Startup Programs on Windows 10 How to Change Startup Programs in Windows How to Access the Windows 10 Startup Folder How to Improve Startup Time in Windows 10 How to Turn Off OneDrive in Windows 11 How to Stop Skype From Starting Automatically How to Enable Secure Boot to Install Windows 11 IObit Uninstaller v12 Review How to Remove Chat From Windows 11 How to Fix It When Windows 11 Is Slow 17 Best Free Uninstaller Programs (October 2022) Your Guide to User Account Settings in Windows 11 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies