How to Automatically Start Programs When Windows 11 Boots Up

If the first thing you do every morning when you sit down at your desk is open Microsoft Edge, launch Slack, and boot up Spotify, you are wasting valuable time repeating the exact same sequence of clicks. Instead of manually launching your essential applications, you can configure Windows 11 to automatically start these programs the moment you log in.

Method 1: Using the Startup Apps Menu

Modern applications that are designed to run in the background (like Discord, Slack, or Microsoft Teams) usually register themselves with the official Windows 11 Startup manager. This is the easiest place to enable or disable them.

1. Click the Start button and open the Settings app (the gear icon).
2. In the left-hand sidebar, click Apps.
3. In the main window, click on Startup at the very bottom of the list.

You will now see a master list of almost every program installed on your computer. Next to each app is a toggle switch. Simply find the program you want to launch automatically (e.g., Spotify) and flip the switch to On.

Note: Windows will also display the “Impact” (Low, Medium, or High) next to each app. Turning on too many “High Impact” apps will significantly increase the time it takes your PC to boot up.

Method 2: The Hidden Startup Folder (For Older or Custom Apps)

Sometimes, an application (or a specific script or file) will not appear in the official Settings menu. For these, you must use a hidden legacy feature called the Startup Folder. Anything placed inside this specific folder will execute immediately upon login.

1. Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard simultaneously. This opens the Run dialog box in the bottom left corner.
2. Type the following command exactly as written (no spaces):
   shell:startup
3. Press Enter.

A blank File Explorer window will open. This is your personal Startup folder.

Now, you simply need to create a shortcut to the program you want to run.

4. Open the Start menu and find the app you want to add (e.g., Microsoft Word).
5. Click and drag the app’s icon directly from the Start menu into the blank Startup folder window.
6. A shortcut will be created.

The next time you restart your computer, Windows will read that folder and automatically launch Microsoft Word without any input from you.