View Startup App Impact in Windows 11
Startup apps in Windows 11 are programs that open automatically in the background the moment you turn on your computer. Too many of these programs running at the same time will slow down your boot time and make your PC feel sluggish.
Windows 11 includes a built-in tool that shows you the exact impact each program has on your startup speed. Checking these details helps you decide which apps actually need to run right away and which ones you should turn off to speed up your PC.
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
Task Manager acts as a central hub for active PC processes, tracking background software alongside active applications. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc together on the keyboard to launch it directly, then select the Startup apps tab on the left.
- 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' indicates Windows has not yet gathered sufficient telemetry to calculate an impact rating.
Latest Update
Startup Impact levels: Low, Medium, High. Not measured.
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
Reviewing background software performance is also possible through the built-in operating system preferences. Navigate to Settings > Apps > Startup apps.
- 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?
Identified High impact processes demand attention, and disabling them prevents unnecessary background execution during boot. 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.
Reference: Microsoft official guide on Startup Apps
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.
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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.
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