How to Control Windows 11 Startup Delay for Apps

This tutorial shows you how to enable or disable the delay when startup apps run in Windows 11. You can control when these apps open when you sign into Windows.

What Are Startup Apps?

Startup apps are programs that open automatically when you sign into Windows 11. You can set any app, shortcut, folder, drive, file, or script to run at startup.

Why Would You Want to Change This?

By default, Windows waits about 10 seconds before running your startup items. This delay helps your computer start faster. But if you have a fast computer, you might want to remove this delay. This lets your startup items run right away instead of waiting.

How to Enable or Disable Startup App Delay

1. [Admin Required] Open Windows Terminal as an administrator.
2. Run the commands below based on what you want to do.

Enable Delay of Running Startup Apps

This is the default Windows setting.

reg delete "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Serialize" /v StartupDelayInMSec /f
reg delete "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Serialize" /v WaitForIdleState /f

Disable Delay of Running Startup Apps

reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Serialize" /v StartupDelayInMSec /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Serialize" /v WaitForIdleState /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

What Happens?

Once you run the command, your startup apps will behave based on your choice. If you enabled the delay, apps will wait 10 seconds before running. If you disabled the delay, apps will run right away when you sign in.

Summary

You now know how to control when your startup apps run in Windows 11. Use the administrator command in Windows Terminal to enable or disable the startup delay. This gives you control over how quickly your apps launch when you sign in to your computer.