Humans are creatures of habit, and this applies to our work or computer lives. It is not uncommon that we frequent the same set of apps almost every time we boot our computers. If you fall in this category, I have compiled for you the 4 best ways to run apps at startup on Windows 11. This will be a huge time saver.
Before proceeding, you should note that by default, on this OS, a few essential tasks and apps are launched at startup automatically. This article will only be showing you how to add more to that least.
1. Run Apps at Startup on Windows 11 Using the Settings App
Using the Settings app gives you the choice of adjusting startup behavior for several applications at once. Here is how it is done.
Step 1: Open the Settings app using the keyboard combination of Windows Key + I or by navigating to the startup window and clicking the gear icon.
Step 2: Click the Apps option on the left pane, then select the Startup menu at the bottom of the right pane.
Step 3: Search through the apps on the right pane and turn on the switches to run at startup.
I recommend that not too many apps are set to launch at startup in windows 11, to avoid having a lengthy boot time and quicker battery drains.
Windows 11 offers a great feature where apps can be sorted based on their startup impact. Sorting this way will give you a sense of what apps to include or remove from startup launches.
2. Run Apps at Startup on Windows 11 by Modifying the In-App Settings
Tweaking in-app settings is a very simple hack and I only wonder why I did not lead with this 🙂
Many apps that run on windows including Microsoft teams, Telegram, Spotify, and more have in-app settings that give you the liberty to change some of their behaviors. There are chances that some of the apps you love may not have this functionality. In such cases, please revert to using any of the other hacks in this article.
3. Run Apps at Startup on Windows 11 Using the Task Scheduler
The Task Scheduler is one of my favorite Windows 11 utilities. It comes in handy for a number of operations including configuring automated emptying of the recycle bin, scheduled computer shutdowns, and even running applications at startup in Windows. Here is how the latter is performed.
Step 1: Launch the task scheduler by opening the start menu, typing “task scheduler” and selecting the first option.
Step 2: Create a new folder by right-clicking on the “Task Scheduler Library” folder and selecting the “New Folder” option. Make sure you give an appropriate name.
Step 3: Select the folder you created, click on the “Action” menu and select the “Create Basic Task” option.
Step 4: In the pop up window, name the basic task, include a short description, and click next.
Step 5: Here you will be required to set a task trigger. since we are looking to launch apps at startup, select the option for “When the computer starts” and click next.
Step 6: In the action window, select “Start a program” from the list of options.
Step 7: In the start a program window, select the brouse button and search for the exe (executable) files you wish to include, then click the next button.
Step 8: at this point review your settings and click finish.
4. Run Apps at Startup on Windows 11 Using the Startup Folder
The start up folder is available on most Windows versions. This utility can be used for running scripts, launching programs and more.
Step 1: Open Windows’ dialog box by pressing Windows Key + R. In the text field, type shell:startup and click ok.
Step 2: Create a shortcut by clicking on the “new” menu and selecting the “shortcut” option.
Step 3: Locate an exe (executable) file of a program to launch by clicking the browse button. Hit the Next button.
Step 4: Finally, hit the finish button, and you are all set.
5. Run Apps at Startup on Windows 11 Using the Task Manager
On Windows 11, the task manager is an important utility that lets you manage and view your PC’s memory consumption. You are also able to use this utility to control what application will or will not run at startup. Here are the steps you must follow:
Step 1: Launch the task manager by right clicking the Start Menu and selecting the Task Manager option. Alternatively using the keyboard combination of Ctrl + Shift + Esc, launches the Task Manager.
Step 2: Some time you may be required to expand the task manager options. If this is the case, click on “More details” at the bottom left corner of the task manager.
Step 3: From the menu options, select the Startup tab. This tab reveals app and there startup status and impact.
Step 4: Select any application you want to enable and click the “Enable” button at the bottom right.
Final Thoughts
Allowing apps to launch upon startup can help you get right to work. While this may not appear to be much, it can save you time from having to launch the same programs every day. So, which of the strategies listed above did you prefer? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
If you need steps on how to disable startup apps, this article will come in handy.
