How to Add App to Run Automatically at Startup in Windows 11

What Can You Add?

You can add many different things to start automatically when your Windows 11 computer turns on. This includes regular apps, shortcuts to programs or folders, entire folders, access to drives, specific files like documents, and even simple scripts for automated tasks.

Reference:

Configure Startup Applications in Windows – Microsoft Support

Learn how to optimize system performance by managing startup applications in Windows.

Important Note About Admin Apps

Option 1Add Startup App for Your Account Only

1. Open 📁 File Explorer by pressing ⊞ Win+E.
2. Copy this text: shell:startup and paste it into the address bar at the top of 📁 File Explorer. Press Enter. This opens your Startup folder. (see screenshot below)
3. Add or create a shortcut of any app, folder, drive, file, or script you want to run at startup. Put it in this Startup folder.

You can add an app to start automatically just for your user account in Windows 11. This means only you will see it launch when you log in. You’ll use a special folder that Windows creates for your account’s startup programs.

Option 2Add Startup App for a Specific User

If you’re an administrator, you can set an app to start automatically for a specific user on your Windows 11 computer. This is useful if you need a program to launch only for someone else who uses the PC. You’ll need to find that user’s special Startup folder.

1. Open 📁 File Explorer by pressing ⊞ Win+E.
2. Navigate to this folder in 📁 File Explorer (see screenshot below):
   

   📝Good to Know

   C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

   
   

   Replace <username> with the actual username. For example: C:\Users\Richard\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

   
   

   Windows may prompt you to click "Continue" to open a specific folder. Clicking this button allows the application to run automatically when Windows 11 starts. This step is necessary for certain program installations.
3. Add or create a shortcut of any app, folder, drive, file, or script you want to run at startup for this user. Put it in this Startup folder.

For Microsoft Store apps: Go to the ⊞ Start menu, then ‘All apps.’ Find the app you want, and drag and drop it into this Startup folder to create a shortcut.

Option 3Add Startup App for All Users

To make an app start automatically for everyone who uses a Windows 11 computer, you need administrator rights. This method places a shortcut into a system-wide Startup folder. Any user who logs in after this will see the app launch automatically.

1. Open 📁 File Explorer by pressing ⊞ Win+E.
2. Navigate to this folder in 📁 File Explorer:
   

   C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
3. Copy or move a shortcut of any app, folder, drive, file, or script you want to run at startup for everyone. Put it in this Startup folder. (see screenshot below)

For Microsoft Store apps: Go to the ⊞ Start menu, then ‘All apps.’ Find the app you want and drag and drop it to your desktop to create a shortcut. Then copy or move that shortcut from your desktop into the Startup folder.

4. Click Continue to approve copying or moving the shortcut into this Startup folder.

That’s it!

Summary

Windows 11 lets you add apps to start automatically when you sign in, making your computer ready to go.