How to Control Phone Link App Startup in Windows 11

Option 1Use Phone Link App Settings

You can control if the Phone Link app starts automatically right from its own settings. This is a straightforward way to manage the Phone Link app startup behavior without digging into other Windows menus.

1. Open the Phone Link app. Type “Phone Link” in the Windows search bar 🔍 and select the app.
2. Click the gear icon. Look for a gear symbol, usually in the top right or bottom left corner, and click it to open settings ⚙️.
3. Go to the General section. In the settings ⚙️ menu, find and click on “General.”
4. Find “App behavior.” In the General settings, look for a section named “App behavior.”
5. Choose your setting. You’ll see an option like “Start Phone Link when I sign in to Windows.” Check this box or turn the switch on if you want Phone Link to start automatically when you log in. Uncheck the box or turn the switch off if you don’t want it to start automatically. This is the default setting.

Option 2Use Windows Settings

Windows 11 lets you decide which apps, like Phone Link, start up when you turn on your computer. Managing these startup apps in Windows Settings ⚙️ can help your PC load faster by only starting what you need.

1. Open Windows Settings. Press Windows key + I together, or click the Start button and choose the "Settings" cogwheel.
2. Go to Apps. In the Settings window, click on "Apps" from the list on the left.
3. Find Startup settings. On the right side, click on "Startup." This shows all apps that can start with Windows.
4. Find and change Phone Link. Scroll down to find "Phone Link" (it might be called "Link to Windows"). Use the toggle switch next to it. Turn it "Off" to stop it from starting automatically. Turn it "On" to let it start automatically.

Important Note: If you disable Phone Link within Windows Settings, the startup option inside the Phone Link app (Option 1) will become locked and unchangeable. Windows Settings holds the ultimate control in this scenario.

Close the Settings window once you are done.

Option 3Use Task Manager

Task Manager is a powerful tool that shows you all the programs running on your PC and lets you choose which ones start when Windows begins. You can easily find and change the startup setting for the Phone Link app here.

1. Open Task Manager. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc together. Or, right-click the Start button and select "Task Manager."
2. Go to the Startup apps tab. Look for a tab or section called "Startup apps." You might need to click "More details" first if you don't see tabs.
3. Find Phone Link. Scroll through the list and find "Phone Link" or a similar name.
4. Enable or Disable it. At the bottom of the Task Manager window, you'll see a button. If Phone Link is set to start automatically, it will say "Disable." Click it to stop it from starting. If it's not set to start automatically, it will say "Enable." Click it to make it start with Windows.

Crucial Point: Similar to Windows Settings, disabling Phone Link here will also lock the startup option within the Phone Link app itself (Option 1). Task Manager ultimately dictates the startup behavior.

Warning: Exercise caution when disabling other applications in Task Manager. Ensure you understand an application's function before preventing it from starting automatically. Disabling critical system programs could lead to issues.

Close Task Manager. Your selections will take effect the next time you log into Windows.

Summary

You have three main ways to control if the Phone Link app starts automatically when you log into Windows 11. You can adjust the Phone Link app startup setting within the app itself, in Windows Settings, or using Task Manager, with Windows Settings and Task Manager taking priority.