Locate the toggle labeled , Start with Windows , or Minimize to tray on startup . Switch the toggle to On . Method 3: Use the Windows 11 Settings App
: Switch the slider to On for any app you want to run at login.
Use this method for programs, custom scripts, or portable apps that do not appear in the Settings list. Open the Run dialog Access the folder shell:startup to open your personal Startup folder. : To add a program for on the PC, use the command shell:common startup Create a shortcut : Find the program's executable ( ) or its current shortcut, right-click it, and select Paste into the folder : Right-click inside the Startup folder and select Paste shortcut . The program will now launch on your next login. Method 3: Using Task Manager
The next time you restart, that app will launch automatically. Method 2: Using the Windows Settings App (Modern Method) how to add programs to startup windows 11 updated
the program's shortcut and Paste it into the Startup folder you opened in step 1. A Story of the Morning Rush
If you added a program to startup but it fails to appear when you log in, check these common issues:
Have any stubborn programs that refuse to auto-start? Drop a comment below (or ask your favorite tech community) – the solutions are almost always in Task Scheduler or the Registry Run keys. Locate the toggle labeled , Start with Windows
Many modern applications feature native startup toggles built directly into their own preferences menus. This is often the cleanest method for third-party tools.
Click Create Basic Task (right-hand panel).
: Right-click the program file and select Show more options > Create shortcut . Use this method for programs, custom scripts, or
Navigate to its , Preferences , or Options menu (usually represented by a gear icon or three dots).
The standout feature in the updated Windows 11 startup architecture is the "Startup Impact" metric. Unlike previous versions of Windows where you had to guess which app was slowing down your boot time, Windows 11 now calculates the specific CPU/Disk impact of each startup entry.
Under Task Trigger , select or When the computer starts , then click Next . Under Action , select Start a program and click Next .