How to Enable or Disable Automatically Restart Apps When You Sign Back In on Windows 11
You enable or disable the automatic app restart feature in Windows 11 to control whether your previously open applications reopen automatically after you sign back in.
This setting remembers and relaunches the programs you were using, saving you the effort of manually opening them each time you restart or sign in to your PC.
For instance, Windows 11 version 25H2 enhances this by also restoring previous File Explorer windows and tabs when this feature is active, a setting that gets automatically enabled alongside it.
Option 1Using Settings (Easiest Method)
- Press Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Settings.
- Click Accounts on the left side.
- Click Sign-in options on the right side.
- Look for the option called Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in under Additional settings.
- Switch it On to enable this feature or Off to disable it .
- Close the Settings window when you’re done.
You can also open the Sign-in options page directly by clicking this link: Open Sign-in options settings
Option 2Using the Registry (For Advanced Users)
⚠️ Admin Privileges Required – You need administrator access to use the Registry Editor. Be careful when editing the registry, as mistakes can cause problems.
To Turn On Automatically Restart Apps:
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v RestartApps /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /fTo Turn Off Automatically Restart Apps (default setting):
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon" /v RestartApps /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /fSummary
- Easy to change: Use Windows Settings or the Registry Editor to turn this feature on or off.
- Keeps your apps ready: Automatically saves and reopens apps so you can continue working faster.
- File Explorer tabs: Windows 11 now also remembers your open File Explorer tabs when you sign back in.
- Flexible: You can choose to use this feature or not depending on your preference.
- User-friendly: Windows Settings gives you a simple way to find and change this option.
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Richard
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Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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