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

What Can You Add?

Windows 11 can start more than ordinary applications from the Startup folder. These all work:

• Applications and program shortcuts
• Whole folders, which open in File Explorer 📁 at sign-in
• Drives, which also open in File Explorer 📁
• Specific documents, which open in their default app
• Automation scripts

Reference:

Configure Startup Applications in Windows – Microsoft Support

To see what already starts with your account, open Settings › Apps › Startup You can switch items off there without deleting anything.

Important Note About Admin Apps

Windows 11 security blocks applications that require administrator permissions from launching automatically through the Startup folder. They would trigger a User Account Control prompt at sign-in, and Windows won’t run them silently. To start one of these programs, you have to create the shortcut yourself and set it to run as administrator. Then you can place it in the target Startup folder.

To set that up, right-click the shortcut and choose Properties. On the Shortcut tab, click Advanced and tick Run as administrator. Be aware that this may still produce a UAC prompt at sign-in, depending on your settings. If the app still doesn't start, a scheduled task that runs at logon with the highest privileges is the more reliable route.

Option 1Add Startup App for Your Account Only

This method affects only your own account. Other people who use the computer won't see the app launch when they sign in.

1. Press Win+E to open File Explorer.
2. Copy this text: shell:startup
3. Click the address bar at the top of File Explorer, paste the text, and press Enter. Your Startup folder opens. It is probably empty or holds only a few items. (see screenshot below)
4. Add or create a shortcut for any app, folder, drive, file, or script you want to run at startup, and put it in this Startup folder. The easiest way to make one is to right-click the item, choose Show more options › Create shortcut, then move the new shortcut into the folder.

The shortcut now sits in your personal Startup folder. The program launches every time you sign in, with no restart needed for the change to take effect. To test it, sign out and sign back in.

Only the shortcut is removed. The program itself stays installed.

Option 2Add Startup App for a Specific User

This method places a shortcut in the hidden profile folder of one specific account. It suits shared computers where a background program should run only for one person when they sign in. You need administrator rights to open another user's profile folder.

1. Press Win+E to open File Explorer.
2. Go to this folder in File Explorer (see screenshot below): C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
3. Replace <username> with the actual username. For example: C:\Users\Richard\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
4. If Windows asks for permission to open the folder, click Continue. This gives your administrator account access to that user's profile folder. If you sign in with a standard account, you'll be asked for administrator credentials instead.
5. Add or create a shortcut for any app, folder, drive, file, or script you want to run at startup for this user, and put it in this Startup folder.

Part of that path is hidden by default. If a folder seems to be missing when you browse to it, type the full path into the address bar instead of clicking through. Make sure the username matches the folder name under the Users folder exactly.

For Microsoft Store apps: Open the Start menu and select All apps. Drag the target application into the Startup folder to generate a shortcut.

To remove the app later, delete its shortcut from that user's Startup folder. The change applies the next time that person signs in.

Option 3Add Startup App for All Users

This method makes a program launch whenever any person signs in to the computer. You need administrator rights to place a shortcut in the system-wide Startup folder. It saves time when certain tools should be ready for everyone right away.

1. Press Win+E to open File Explorer.
2. Go to this folder in File Explorer: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
3. Copy or move a shortcut for any app, folder, drive, file, or script you want to run at startup for everyone, and put it in this Startup folder. (see screenshot below)

For Microsoft Store apps: Open the Start menu and choose All apps. Drag the target program to the desktop to create a shortcut, then move that file into the Startup folder.

4. Click Continue to approve copying or moving the shortcut into this Startup folder. The shortcut should now appear in the folder.

The setup is finished. To check it, sign out and sign in with a different account. The app should start for every user. To undo it, delete the shortcut from this folder, which again needs administrator approval.

Summary

Windows 11 runs everything in these Startup folders during sign-in, so your desktop is ready as soon as you arrive. If something doesn't start, check that the shortcut still points to a valid file. Also check that the app isn't switched off in Settings › Apps › Startup