Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsTo control which registered apps open when you sign in to Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Apps > Startup and switch each app On or Off. For startup-impact details, right-click Start, open Task Manager, and select Startup apps. Apps missing from those lists may need to be added to or removed from a startup folder.
Choose Settings or Task Manager
Both built-in routes manage apps registered with a Windows startup task. Settings is the simpler view; Task Manager adds startup-impact categories.
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| Route | How to open it | Control | What you see |
|---|---|---|---|
| Settings | Start > Settings > Apps > Startup | Switch an app On or Off | Startup app list; an app’s chevron opens advanced settings when available |
| Task Manager | Right-click Start > Task Manager > Startup apps | Select an app, then choose Enable or Disable | The same registered startup-app list, plus startup-impact details |
Change startup behavior in Settings
- Open Start > Settings > Apps > Startup.
- Switch an app On to have it launch automatically when you sign in, or Off to prevent automatic startup.
- If an app has a chevron, select it to review available advanced settings.
Change startup behavior in Task Manager
- Right-click Start and select Task Manager.
- Select Startup apps.
- Select an app and choose Enable or Disable.
Disabling an app this way does not uninstall it; it only prevents it from starting automatically through that startup entry.
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What Task Manager’s startup-impact labels mean
Microsoft defines these categories using CPU and disk usage thresholds. They describe the label shown for an app, not a guaranteed estimate of how much faster your individual computer will start if you disable it.
#1 Best Overall
| Label | Microsoft’s definition |
|---|---|
| None | The startup app is disabled. |
| Not Measured | The app is enabled, but measurement data is unavailable. |
| Low Impact | Total CPU usage is less than 300 milliseconds and total disk usage is less than 292 kilobytes. |
| Medium Impact | Total CPU usage is less than 1 second but more than 300 milliseconds, or total disk usage is less than 3 megabytes but more than 292 kilobytes. |
| High Impact | Total CPU usage is more than 1 second or total disk usage is more than 3 megabytes. |
These are Microsoft’s published category thresholds; the support page does not state a publication year for them. Use the labels to help identify startup activity, then decide whether you need an app available as soon as you sign in. Microsoft recommends disabling apps you do not need, but does not identify apps that are safe to disable for every user or promise a specific performance gain.
Add or remove an app that is missing from the list
Some apps are not registered with a Windows startup task, so they may not appear in Settings or Task Manager. Microsoft documents managing these through File Explorer shortcuts in the startup folders.
Rank #2
- Open the Run dialog, enter
shell:appsfolder, and press Enter. Keep the app-list window open. - Open a second Run dialog. Enter
shell:startupfor your account’s startup folder, orshell:common startupfor the startup folder shared by all users of the device. Press Enter. - To add an app, drag it from the first window into the appropriate startup-folder window. To stop an app launched by one of these shortcuts, delete its link from that folder.
The corresponding folder paths are %userprofile%AppDataRoamingMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartup for the current user and %ProgramData%MicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartup for all users.
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This message can mean the app is on a removable or network drive, its referenced path no longer exists, or the app has been uninstalled. Select the information icon beside the On/Off toggle to inspect the path or registry location associated with the entry. If the app was uninstalled, Microsoft says reinstalling it may resolve the issue.
Registry editing is advanced troubleshooting, not the first step. Microsoft lists these startup registry locations:
- All users:
HKLMSoftwareWow6432NodeMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunandHKLMSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun. - Current user:
HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun.
Microsoft warns that registry changes can have unintended consequences and recommends backing up the registry before making changes. Prefer inspecting the entry and correcting the underlying missing path or app before considering registry edits.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use the right Windows startup feature
This guide covers apps that launch when you sign in to Windows. Windows startup settings can also refer to boot troubleshooting options in the Windows Recovery Environment; those options address a different problem.
Menu labels can change in later Windows updates. Microsoft’s support instructions cover Windows 11 and Windows 10; the paths above are presented for Windows 11.
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Sources: Microsoft Support: Configure startup applications in Windows.
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