How to Schedule a Task on Windows Startup

There are many reasons you might want a specific program, script, or document to open the moment you turn on your computer. Perhaps you want your email client ready as soon as you log in, or maybe you have a custom backup script that needs to run every morning.

While some applications have a built-in “Run on Startup” toggle, many do not. Rather than relying on third-party software, Windows has a powerful, built-in tool called the Task Scheduler that gives you complete control over automated actions.

In this guide, we will walk you through exactly how to create a custom scheduled task that triggers automatically every time Windows boots up.

Step 1: Open the Task Scheduler

The Task Scheduler is an administrative tool that has been included in every version of Windows since Windows 95, and its interface remains largely unchanged in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

1. Click the Start Menu (or press the Windows key).
2. Type Task Scheduler into the search bar.
3. Click the Task Scheduler app from the search results to open it.

Step 2: Create a Basic Task

The easiest way to schedule a program is using the Basic Task Wizard.

1. In the right-hand panel (the Actions pane), click on Create Basic Task…
2. The Create Basic Task Wizard will appear. First, give your task a Name. Make it descriptive, such as "Launch Backup Script on Startup."
3. (Optional) Add a brief description so you remember exactly what this task does months from now.
4. Click Next.

Step 3: Choose the Trigger (When to Run)

The trigger tells Windows exactly when the task should execute.

1. You will see a list of time-based and event-based triggers. To make the task run when the computer turns on, select When the computer starts.
   (Note: If you only want it to run when a specific user logs in, choose “When I log on” instead. “When the computer starts” runs before anyone even types in their password, which is useful for background services).
2. Click Next.

Step 4: Choose the Action (What to Run)

Now, you need to tell Task Scheduler what it should do when the trigger occurs.

1. Select Start a program. (The other options, sending an email and displaying a message, have been deprecated by Microsoft).
2. Click Next.
3. Under the “Program/script” box, click the Browse button.
4. Navigate to the exact file you want to open. This can be an executable (.exe) file like a web browser, a batch file (.bat), a PowerShell script (.ps1), or even a document (.docx).
5. Select the file and click Open.
6. (Optional) If you are running a command-line tool that requires extra instructions, you can add them in the Add arguments box.
7. Click Next.

Step 5: Review and Finish

You will see a summary screen displaying the Name, Trigger, and Action you just configured.

1. Review the details to ensure they are correct.
2. If everything looks good, click Finish.

How to Edit or Delete Your Scheduled Task

If you ever need to stop this task from running, or if you want to change its behaviour (for example, delaying it by 30 seconds so it does not slow down your boot time), you can easily edit it.

1. Open the Task Scheduler.
2. In the left-hand panel, click on Task Scheduler Library.
3. In the middle panel, scroll through the list until you find the name of the task you created.
4. To temporarily disable it, right-click the task and select Disable.
5. To permanently remove it, right-click and select Delete.
6. To change its settings, right-click and select Properties. (To add a startup delay, go to the Triggers tab, double-click your trigger, and check the box for “Delay task for”).

By mastering the Task Scheduler, you can automate almost any repetitive action on your Windows PC, creating a more personalised and efficient computing experience.