How to add or remove startup apps on Windows 10

Dave W. Shanahan

Updated on:

Windows 10 comes with a feature that allows you to add and remove applications (apps) that startup automatically any time you sign into your Microsoft account on your PC. There are plenty of apps available that give users the option to launch any time your PC boots up, but here’s how you can have any app launch at startup.

Keep in mind, adding apps to startup can delay the boot time for your PC. However, if you want to an app to launch every time you startup your PC, this guide will show you what to do.

  1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows Key + R. Once Run opens, type shell:startup and click OK.
  2. Use the Windows Key + R command again and type shell:appsfolder to open the Applications folder. The Applications folder contains all of the applications installed on your Windows 10 PC, including Microsoft Store apps.
  3. Snap the Startup folder and the Applications folder to either side of your PC’s desktop for easy access to drag and drop easily between the two folders.
  4. Drag and drop any applications from the Apps folder into the Startup folder that you want to launch automatically the next time you log in to your Windows 10 PC.

That’s it, you’re finished! Keep in mind that you are not limited to just apps to open at startup; you can also drag and drop files, folders, and even websites to start automatically too. All you need to do is create a shortcut for the item in the Startup folder on your Windows 10 PC.

If you want to verify that the item you chose is successfully in the Startup folder, you can open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc keyboard shortcut and go to the Startup tab. From there, you will see a list of apps enabled (or disabled) to launch automatically any time you sign in to your Microsoft account.

If you want to remove the program shortcut completely from the list, all you need to do is open the Startup folder again by repeating Step #1 in the guide and delete the app, file, folder, or website from the Startup folder.