How to Change What Opens on Startup in Windows 10 and 11

Every app that launches when you sign in to Windows adds to your startup time and runs in the background, using memory and battery. Windows 10 and 11 give you several ways to control what opens at startup: turn off apps you don’t need, add programs, files, or websites you want every time, and stop Windows from reopening whatever was running before a restart. Here’s how to use each one.

Quick Answer

Open Settings > Apps > Startup and switch apps On or Off. You can also press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, go to the Startup apps tab, right-click an app, and choose Disable or Enable. To add something new, press Windows + R, type shell:startup, and put a shortcut in that folder.

Method 1: Settings (Windows 10 and 11)

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Click Apps, then Startup.
3. Use the toggle next to each app to turn it Off (won’t open at sign-in) or On.
4. Check the impact label (High, Medium, Low) to see which apps slow startup the most. Use Sort by to sort by impact.

Method 2: Task Manager

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc (or right-click the Start button and choose Task Manager).
2. Click More details if you see the small view.
3. Open the Startup apps tab (the speedometer icon in Windows 11, or the Startup tab in Windows 10).
4. Select an app and click Disable or Enable. The Startup impact column shows how much each app affects boot time.

Task Manager sometimes lists items that Settings doesn’t, so check both if something keeps launching.

Method 3: Add an App, File, or Website to Startup

1. Press Windows + R, type shell:startup, and press Enter. This opens your personal Startup folder.
2. In another File Explorer window, find the app, file, or folder you want to open at sign-in. For an app, you can type its name in Start, right-click it, and choose Open file location.
3. Right-click the item, choose Show more options > Create shortcut (Windows 11) or Create shortcut (Windows 10), and move the shortcut into the Startup folder.
4. For a website, right-click inside the Startup folder, choose New > Shortcut, paste the web address, and name it. It opens in your default browser at sign-in.

To apply a startup item to every user on the PC, use shell:common startup instead (requires administrator rights).

Method 4: Use the App’s Own Settings

Many apps, such as chat, cloud storage, and game launchers, have a setting like Open at startup or Launch on system startup. If you disable an app in Windows but it keeps coming back, turn off this option inside the app, since some apps re-enable themselves when they update.

Stop Windows from Reopening Apps After a Restart

If apps you had open before shutting down reappear, turn off app restart:

• Windows 11: Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, then turn off Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in.
• Windows 10: Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options, then turn off Restart apps (wording varies by version).

Browsers like Chrome and Edge also have their own “continue where you left off” and “startup boost” settings that can make them open or preload automatically.

Which Startup Apps Are Safe to Disable?

• Usually safe to turn off: game launchers, music apps, chat apps, updaters for software you rarely use, and cloud storage apps if you don’t need constant syncing.
• Keep on: your antivirus or security software, touchpad, audio, and graphics control utilities from your PC maker, and anything you rely on right after sign-in.
• If you’re unsure, disable one app at a time and restart to see whether anything stops working.

Troubleshooting

• App still opens after disabling it: check the Startup folder, the app’s own settings, and Task Scheduler (some apps start via scheduled tasks).
• Startup page is empty: sign in with an account that has installed apps, or use Task Manager instead.
• Shortcut in Startup folder doesn’t run: make sure it points to the right file and that the file isn’t blocked. Right-click the original file > Properties and check for an Unblock box.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling startup apps delete them?

No. The apps stay installed; they just don’t open automatically. You can still start them from the Start menu.

Does disabling startup apps speed up my PC?

It can make sign-in faster and free up memory, especially if you disable several high-impact apps.

Where is the Startup folder?

It’s at C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. Typing shell:startup in the Run box gets you there faster.

Summary

1. Turn apps off or on in Settings > Apps > Startup or Task Manager’s Startup apps tab.
2. Add programs, files, or websites with shortcuts in shell:startup.
3. Turn off app restart in Sign-in options to stop reopening previous apps.