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

What Can You Add?

Various items run automatically when Windows 11 starts up. Standard applications, program shortcuts, entire directories, drive links, specific documents, and automation scripts all work.

Reference:

Configure Startup Applications in Windows – Microsoft Support

Managing startup apps keeps your system running smoothly.

Important Note About Admin Apps

Windows 11 security blocks applications requiring administrator permissions from launching automatically. Running these programs demands manual shortcut creation. Granting administrator privileges to that shortcut allows placement inside the target directory.

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.

Adding Windows 11 startup apps for your account only is done by placing a shortcut inside your personal Startup folder. This approach launches the program automatically every time you sign in, without affecting other people who use the same computer. You can set this up in a few seconds using a hidden folder shortcut.

Option 2Add Startup App for a Specific User

Adding Windows 11 startup apps for a specific user requires placing a program shortcut directly inside that account's hidden profile folder. This method works well on shared computers when you want a background program to run only for one particular person when they log into their account.

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

   📝Good to KnowC:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

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

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   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: Open the Start menu and select 'All apps.' Drag the target application into the startup folder to generate a shortcut.

Option 3Add Startup App for All Users

Adding Windows 11 startup apps for all users makes a program launch automatically whenever any person signs in to the computer. You need administrator rights to drop a shortcut into the system-wide startup folder, which saves time if you want certain tools ready for everyone right away.

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

   📝Good to KnowC:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

   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: 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 directory.

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

Configuration finishes here.

Summary

Windows 11 manages automatic program execution during sign-in to prepare the desktop environment immediately.