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

Why Add Startup Apps?

Why bother with startup apps? They’re programs that open automatically when you log into Windows 11. This saves you time because you won’t have to manually open them every time you use your computer.

What Can You Add?

You can add almost anything as a startup item. This includes apps, shortcuts, folders, drives, files, and scripts.

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

Some apps need special admin permissions to run. Windows 11 blocks these from starting automatically for security reasons. If you need an app like this to start up, you can create a special shortcut that has admin permission, then move it to the Startup folder (explained below).

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 Windows 11 account by using the Startup folder.

Option 2Add Startup App for a Specific User

To make an app start automatically for a specific user in Windows 11, you’ll need admin rights and access to that user’s Startup folder.

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

   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 ask you to click Continue to open this folder. Click it to proceed.

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 ⊞ Start menu > All apps. Find the Microsoft Store app you want. Drag and drop it into this Startup folder to create a shortcut.

Option 3Add Startup App for All Users

Adding an app to run automatically for all users on a Windows 11 computer requires admin privileges and placing a shortcut in the system’s shared Startup folder.

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 ⊞ Start menu > All apps. Find the Microsoft Store app you want. 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.