View Startup App Impact in Windows 11
Startup apps in Windows 11 are programs that open automatically in the background when you turn on your PC. Too many of these background programs slow down your boot time and make your computer feel sluggish.
Task Manager (a built-in tool that shows running apps and system performance) tracks the exact startup impact of every installed program as High, Medium, Low, or Not measured. Checking these impact ratings helps you decide which apps actually need to run right away and which ones you should turn off to speed up your computer.
Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and go to the “Startup apps” tab to see a “Startup impact” rating for each program. Alternatively, navigate to Settings Apps Startup This helps identify programs slowing down your computer’s boot time.
How to Check Startup App Impact in 🪟 Windows 11
Two primary methods exist for auditing resource-heavy programs during boot:
1Using Task Manager
You can check startup app impact Windows 11 by opening Task Manager to see which programs slow down your computer when it turns on. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc on your keyboard, then click the Startup apps tab on the left side of the window. This view shows a clear list of every program that runs at boot, along with an impact rating for each one.
- Press the keys Ctrl+Shift+Esc together on your keyboard to open Task Manager .
- At the top, click the Startup tab.
- You’ll see a list of apps that start with Windows. Next to each app is its “Startup impact” — this shows how much it slows down your computer when it starts.
Task Manager shows startup apps and their impact on Windows 11.
Startup impact ratings estimate how much a specific program delays boot times. A 'Low' rating indicates minimal interference with boot times. 'Medium' denotes a noticeable delay, while 'High' signifies a heavy load that actively drags down system startup. 'Not measured' means Windows hasn't gathered enough data yet to calculate an impact rating.
Latest Update
You can manage startup app impact Windows 11 by turning off unneeded programs directly inside the Settings app. Go to Apps Startup apps and flip the switch next to any program you want to stop from running when your computer starts. Keep critical system tools turned on to avoid errors when your PC boots up.
Impact levels explained:
- High impact: Uses a lot of your computer’s power when starting.
- Medium impact: Uses some power but not too much.
- Low impact: Uses very little power at startup.
2Using the Settings App
You can also measure startup app impact Windows 11 through the main Settings app without opening any advanced tools. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard, go to Apps, and click Startup apps. This menu displays your boot programs in a clean list sorted by how much they slow down your startup time.
- Click the Start menu (the Windows icon) at the bottom-left of your screen.
- Select Settings. Or press Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Settings quickly.
- On the left side, click Apps.
- On the right, click Startup.
- You will see a list of apps that run at startup along with their impact on your computer.
Open Settings from the Start menu.
Click "Apps" in the Settings menu.
Click "Startup" to see startup apps and their impact.
Startup apps and their impact shown in Settings.
What Can You Do With This Information?
High-impact apps slow down your PC, so turning them off stops them from running in the background when your computer starts. Right-clicking the target program inside Task Manager or toggling the switch inside Settings under the Startup menu achieves this objective.
Latest Update
Toggling programs on or off directly inside the Settings > Apps > Startup apps directory provides an alternative method.
Learn more about enabling or disabling startup apps here: How to Enable or Disable Startup Apps in Windows 11
Summary
- Windows 11 helps you see how much each startup app affects your computer’s speed and performance.
- You can check this info using either Task Manager or the Settings app.
- Knowing which apps use more resources lets you decide which ones to keep or turn off at startup.
- This can make your computer start faster and work better.
Understanding startup app impact Windows 11 helps you speed up your computer by stopping heavy programs from running in the background when you turn it on. You can check these details using either Task Manager or the Settings app to decide which programs to keep and which ones to turn off.
Task Manager vs. Settings
- Task Manager provides a quick overview and allows immediate disabling.
- Settings offers a dedicated section for managing all startup apps.
- Both methods achieve the same goal of enabling or disabling startup applications.
Was this guide helpful?
About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
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.
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!