How to Configure Startup Applications with Task Manager in Windows 11

Managing Startup Apps with Task Manager

Waiting for your computer to be ready can be annoying. Task Manager helps you control which programs start when you turn on your PC. It shows you what’s starting up and lets you decide if each app should run or wait.

Accessing Task Manager

You can easily open Task Manager in Windows 11 to manage programs that start when your PC turns on. The quickest ways are to right-click the Start button and pick Task Manager, or press Ctrl+Shift+Esc together. You can also type ‘Task Manager’ into the search bar.

• Right-click the ⊞ Start Button: Move your mouse to the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner. Click the right mouse button. A menu will appear. Click on “📊 Task Manager.”
• Keyboard Shortcut: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc all at the same time. 📊 Task Manager will open.
• Search: Type “📊 Task Manager” into the Windows 🔍 search bar (next to the ⊞ Start button). Click on it when it appears in the results.

Navigating to Startup Apps

Once Task Manager is open in Windows 11, you might see a simple view. To see everything, click the ‘More details’ button at the bottom. This shows all the tabs. Then, click on the ‘Startup apps’ tab to find the programs that start automatically when you turn on your computer.

Understanding the Startup Apps List

The Startup Apps list in Windows 11's Task Manager shows you every program set to launch when your computer starts. For each app, you can see the app's name, the publisher, the app's current status, and how much that app affects your PC's startup speed. This startup information helps you decide which apps you really need running.

• App Name: The name of the program.
• Publisher: Who made the software. This helps identify trusted programs.
• Status: Shows if the app is “Enabled” (starts with Windows) or “Disabled” (does not start automatically).
• Startup Impact: This is very helpful! Windows shows how much each app affects your startup time. You might see “None,” “Low,” “Medium,” or “High.” A “High” impact means the app significantly slows down your startup.

Enabling or Disabling Apps

Task Manager in Windows 11 lets you control which programs start automatically when your computer turns on. To stop an app from launching at startup, find the app in the list, click its name, and then select the 'Disable' button. This change moves the app's status from 'Enabled' to 'Disabled', preventing the app from running when you boot up.

• To stop an app from starting automatically: Click on the app’s name in the list. Then, click the “Disable” button in the bottom-right corner of 📊 Task Manager. The status will change from “Enabled” to “Disabled.”
• To let an app start automatically: If you disabled an app before and want it to start with Windows again, select it. Then, click the “Enable” button. Its status will change back to “Enabled.”

Reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/configure-startup-applications-in-windows-115a420a-0bff-4a6f-90e0-1934c844e473

Summary

Managing startup applications using Task Manager in Windows 11 can significantly speed up your computer’s boot time. By disabling unnecessary programs that launch automatically, you free up system resources and reduce the strain on your PC during startup, making your computer start faster.