Windows 11 is a smooth experience overall, but when it comes to managing startup apps, I’ve noticed it can get confusing fast. I remember wanting to speed up my PC and wondering, “Where’s that startup folder exactly? How do I add or remove apps from it?” If you’ve been asking yourself the same, you’re not alone.
This guide is here to clear things up. I’ll walk you through what the Windows 11 startup folder is, how to find it for both your user and all users, and how to add or disable programs the way I do to keep my system running smoothly. Plus, I’ll share a bonus about WPS Office, a free office suite that’s perfect for Windows 11 users who want to boost productivity.
What Is the Windows Startup Folder?
The Windows Startup folder is a hidden but important system folder that controls which programs automatically start when your computer boots up. From my experience, any program with a shortcut in this folder will launch right away once you turn on your PC, which can save time if you use certain apps frequently.
I’ve found that understanding this folder is key to managing your system’s startup behavior, whether you want to speed things up by removing unnecessary apps or ensure your essential tools open automatically. It’s a simple but powerful way to take control of your Windows 11 experience, helping you save time and energy.
Windows 11/10 Startup Folder Location
Here’s something I found crucial when managing startup programs in Windows 11, there are actually two different startup folders, and understanding the difference is key to controlling what runs automatically. Knowing the exact Windows 11 startup apps location is crucial if you want full control over what launches at boot. There are two main folders:
The first one is the startup folder for the current user. This folder contains shortcuts to programs that launch only when you log into your Windows account. Its location is:
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\StartMenu\Programs\Startup
What I like about this folder is that it lets you customize startup apps without affecting other users on the same machine. For example, I keep some personal tools and utilities here that I don’t want cluttering up other user profiles.
The second is the Windows 11 startup folder for all users. Programs added here start automatically for every user who logs in, making it a powerful tool for system-wide settings. Its path is:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
This folder requires administrative privileges to modify, which is important because it prevents unauthorized changes that could affect the entire system. I’ve had to remind myself to run File Explorer or command prompts as an administrator when accessing this folder to avoid “access denied” errors.
Knowing these folder locations and their differences saved me a lot of time when troubleshooting startup performance issues or setting up shared workstations. It’s a foundational piece of Windows 11 startup management that anyone serious about customizing their PC should know.
How to Find the Startup Folder in Windows 11/10
One common question I get is how to access the Windows 11 startup folder easily. The simplest way is by using the Run dialog:
Method 1: Using the Run Dialog
Step 1: Press “Win + R” to open the Run dialog.
Step 2: Type shell:startup in the dialog box that opens up to open the startup for the current user, then click “OK”.
Step 3: Or type shell:common startup in the dialog box to open the startup for all users, then click “OK”.
Step 4: Press “Enter”, and your folder will open on your screen.
Method 2: Using File Explorer
This method can be particularly helpful for those who want to learn how to disable startup programs from the folder in Windows 11.
Step 1: Go to the start menu and click on it, search for File Explorer, and open it.
Step 2: Paste the following path in the address bar to open the start-up folder for current users:
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\StartMenu\Programs\Startup
Step 3: Alternatively, you can also paste the following path for all users on the device:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
How to Change What Programs Run at Startup in Windows 11/10
Managing startup programs is a quick way to speed up your PC. Using Task Manager, you can easily enable or disable apps that run at startup, This will help you add programs to startup in Windows 11. I’ll show you how to take control and keep your system running smoothly.
Step 1: Press “Ctrl + Shift + Esc” on your keyboard to open Task Manager directly.
Step 2: In Task Manager, click on the Startup tab at the top.
Step 3: Scroll through the list and find the app you want to stop from running at startup.
Step 4: Right-click the app and select Disable from the menu.
Customizing Your Startup Experience
I’ve also played around with advanced stuff like using scripts to automate tasks at startup or delaying certain apps using Task Scheduler. For example, delaying backup software to launch a few minutes after startup made my boot times noticeably faster.
Restart Explorer Using a BAT File
Sometimes, restarting Windows Explorer is the quickest fix when your desktop or taskbar isn’t responding properly. Creating a simple BAT file can automate this process for you, so you don’t have to type the command manually every time. It’s straightforward and saves you time when you need a quick Explorer restart. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Open Notepad on your computer.
Step 2: Type this command exactly into the blank text file:
taskkill /f /im explorer.exe & start explorer.exe
Step 3: Save the file to your desktop. Name it something like restartexplorer.bat, just be sure to include the .bat extension so Windows knows it’s a batch file. Also set the file type as “All files”.
Step 4: Whenever you need to restart Explorer, just double-click that .bat file. This will close and restart Windows Explorer, just like if you ran the command manually in the Command Prompt.
Automate Explorer Restart with Task Scheduler
If you want to take things a step further, Task Scheduler lets you automate tasks like restarting Explorer at set times or when specific events happen. It’s a powerful built-in Windows tool designed to help you manage and schedule tasks easily.
You can access Task Scheduler by searching for it in the Start menu. If it’s not available on your system, you can download it as part of the Windows Administrative Tools.
Using Task Scheduler, you can create a task to run your BAT file automatically—great for hands-off troubleshooting or regular maintenance.
WPS Office: A Best Suit for Windows 10/11 Users
I’ve tried my fair share of office suites over the years, but WPS Office really stands out, especially if you’re on Windows 10 or 11. What caught my attention right away is that it’s 100% free, no hidden catches, and packs everything you need in one place. From Writer to Presentation and Spreadsheet, it covers all the basics, but doesn’t stop there. Personally, I use WPS Office daily because it’s lightweight, fast, and surprisingly powerful.
When I switched to WPS Office, I was impressed by how smooth it runs alongside Windows without slowing my system down. It’s like having the full Microsoft Office experience without the hefty price tag, which is a win for anyone working remotely or on a budget. Plus, its PDF editor is something I keep coming back to; it handles my document edits and reviews effortlessly.
Writer: The word processor that handles everything from quick notes to complex documents with ease. I often draft my articles and reports here because it’s clean and distraction-free.
Presentation: Need slides? The Presentation tool lets you create professional-looking decks quickly. It’s my go-to for client pitches and team updates.
Spreadsheet: For crunching numbers or organizing data, the Spreadsheet app covers it all. I use it regularly for budget tracking and project planning.
PDF Editor & Reader: This is more than just a viewer. Editing PDFs, annotating, and extracting information is a breeze. Honestly, this feature alone makes WPS Office worth having on your PC.
Top WPS AI Features:
AI Resume Assistant: If you’ve ever struggled with resume formatting or phrasing, this tool is a lifesaver. It helps craft professional, customized resumes in no time.
AI Spell & Grammar Check: This isn’t just your average spell checker. It instantly detects style and grammar issues and even suggests paraphrasing to make your writing sharper.
Academic Writing Support: For students and researchers, the AI helps structure papers and polish writing, which saves a lot of time when deadlines are tight.
AI Writing Assistant: Need content fast? This generates high-quality articles, reports, or stories based on your prompts—perfect when you’re stuck or short on time.
AI Slides Creator: Simply enter your topic, and this tool creates a polished presentation with well-organized slides. I’ve used it for quick project updates, and it’s surprisingly effective.
Smart PDF Tools: These let you summarize, analyze, and extract key information from long PDFs with AI-powered ease. A huge help when working with research papers or contracts.
FAQs
Q1: What is the Windows Startup Folder?
It’s basically a special folder where Windows keeps shortcuts to programs that automatically open when your PC starts up. So, anything in there will launch on its own without you clicking anything.
Q2: Can I add any program to the Startup Folder?
Absolutely! All you have to do is add a shortcut of the program into that folder, and it’ll start up automatically next time you boot your computer.
Q3: How do I stop apps from launching at startup?
The easiest way is to open Task Manager and disable the apps you don’t want running. Or, if you want, you can remove their shortcuts from the Startup Folder. Either way works.
Q4: Are changes to the Startup Folder permanent?
Not really. You can always go back and re-enable any program through Task Manager or just add the shortcut back to the folder if you change your mind later.
Q5: Is WPS Office really free?
Yep! WPS Office gives you all the main office tools you need for free, plus some cool AI features to help make your work easier.
