How to Modify Startup Programs in Windows 10? [Updated for 2024]

Are you compromising your PC's performance for insignificant programs? You might not be aware, but as soon as you log into your computer, certain programs kick off automatically without any intervention from you. These programs not only impact speed but also consume memory and CPU resources. In such instances, you can modify the startup programs on your computer to prevent some applications from launching at startup. Conversely, you might also need to add a program to the startup list so that you don't have to manually initiate it each time.

Here, you will learn how to modify startup applications in Windows 10. Additionally, you will discover how to alter startup programs via the Startup Folder, identify programs that sluggish down your PC, and enable or disable these startup programs.

Startup Programs That Slow Down Your PC

If your Windows 10 computer takes a considerable amount of time to boot up, it typically indicates that numerous programs are attempting to launch simultaneously. It's crucial to identify applications that could be hindering your computer's performance and frequently causing slow startup times. Some common culprits are listed below:

• Zoom: As it's not used daily, it's optional to include Zoom as a startup program in Windows 10. You can manually enable it when necessary for attending meetings.
• Chat Applications: Although Skype, Slack, and similar chat apps are useful, they can be excluded from startup programs. It might be advisable to disable them.
• Cloud Storage: If you don't heavily rely on services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox, it's fine to keep them out of your startup programs.

        (If you're interested in backing up something to or from OneDrive, you can read the following article: How to Backup OneDrive?)

• Google Chrome: It's unnecessary to have Chrome in your startup apps since it consumes more resources than you might think and can slow down your system.
• Adobe Applications: Apps from the Creative Cloud suite, such as Reader and Acrobat, often add themselves to the startup folder. If you're not actively using them for creative work, allowing them to run at startup is unnecessary.

How to Modify Startup Programs in Windows 10 via Settings

If you're encountering slow startups on your Windows 10, you can manage your programs through these straightforward steps: 1. **Open Task Manager**: Right-click on the taskbar and select "Task Manager" from the context menu. 2. **Go to the Startup Tab**: In the Task Manager window, click on the "Startup" tab. This will show you all the programs that start when your computer boots up. 3. **Review Startup Programs**: Each program will have an "Impact" rating which indicates how much it affects startup time. The higher the impact, the more it slows down your startup. 4. **Disable Unnecessary Programs**: To disable a program from starting up with your computer, right-click on it and select "Disable". This will prevent it from running at startup, thus potentially speeding up your boot process. 5. **Confirm Changes**: After disabling the programs, click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes. Remember, while disabling unnecessary programs can improve startup time, some system processes and essential apps need to run at startup for your system to function properly. Make sure not to disable these critical processes.

Step 1. Click on the Start button located in the bottom left corner of the screen and choose "Settings."

Step 2. Search for "Startup" and select it.

Step 3. Windows will list the applications sorted by their impact. Toggle any app you want to run at startup or not.

If you wish to have certain apps launch automatically at Windows startup, set the status to "On." This will add it as a startup program.

How to Enable or Disable Startup Programs in Task Manager 1. **Open Task Manager:** - Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` on your keyboard. - Alternatively, right-click on the taskbar and select "Task Manager" from the context menu. 2. **Navigate to the "Startup" Tab:** - In the Task Manager window, click on the "Startup" tab at the top. 3. **View Startup Applications:** - Here, you'll see a list of programs that launch when your computer starts up, along with their impact on the system's startup performance. 4. **Enable a Program:** - To enable a disabled program, locate it in the list, right-click on it, and choose "Enable." 5. **Disable a Program:** - To disable a program from starting up, right-click on it and select "Disable." This will prevent it from running automatically when you boot your computer. 6. **Manage Impact:** - Note the "Startup Impact" column, which indicates how each program affects your PC's startup time. Disable high-impact programs if you want to speed up your computer's startup process. 7. **Confirm Changes:** - After making changes, close Task Manager by clicking "Close" or pressing `Esc`. The changes will take effect the next time you restart your computer. Remember that disabling unnecessary startup programs can improve your system's performance, but some apps may need to run at startup for proper functionality. Be cautious when disabling system-related or antivirus programs.

In Windows 10, the Task Manager includes a Startup tab for managing which applications run at startup. To access this feature, follow these steps: 1. Press the "Ctrl + Shift + Esc" keys simultaneously to open the Task Manager. 2. Alternatively, you can right-click on the taskbar and select "Task Manager" from the context menu. 3. Once the Task Manager is open, click on the "Startup" tab at the top of the window. 4. Here, you will see a list of all the applications and programs that launch when your computer starts up. 5. To disable an application from starting up, right-click on it and select "Disable." 6. To enable an application, right-click on it and choose "Enable." 7. Keep in mind that disabling unnecessary startup programs can improve your system's boot time and overall performance. Remember to close the Task Manager when you're done making changes.

Step 1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Alternatively, you can right-click on the taskbar and choose "Task Manager" to open the window.

Step 2. Click on the "Startup" tab to view all your startup programs.

Step 3. Right-click on the app you wish to modify, and a list of available actions will appear. Select "Enable" to activate the startup program or "Disable" to prevent it from running at startup.

How to Change Startup Programs in the Startup Folder

To modify the programs that run automatically when your computer starts up, you can utilize the Startup folder in the Start menu or Taskbar (depending on your Windows version). Here's a step-by-step guide for Windows 10 and 11: **For Windows 10 and 11:** 1. **Open the Startup Folder:** - Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard. - Click on "Task Manager" from the context menu. - In the Task Manager window, navigate to the "Startup" tab. 2. **Manage Startup Programs:** - You'll see a list of programs that start with your computer. - To disable a program, click on it and then click on the "Disable" button at the bottom. - To enable a program, right-click on it and select "Enable." **For Older Versions of Windows (Windows 7 and 8):** 1. **Access the Startup Folder:** - Click on the Start button. - Type "startup" in the search bar and choose "Startup" from the results. - Alternatively, you can open File Explorer, type `%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup` in the address bar, and press Enter. 2. **Modify Startup Programs:** - In the Startup folder, you'll find shortcuts to programs that run at startup. - To remove a program, right-click on its shortcut and select "Delete." - To add a program, copy the shortcut of the desired program to this folder. Remember that changing startup programs can impact your computer's performance. Make sure you're familiar with the programs you're enabling or disabling, as some may be essential for your system's proper functioning.

The Windows 10 Startup folder consists of programs that launch when you start your computer. It's straightforward to add programs to the startup folder directly. Here's how you can do it: 1. **Open the Startup Folder:** - Press the `Windows key + R` on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. - Type `shell:startup` in the Run dialog and press Enter. This will open the Startup folder. 2. **Add Programs to Startup:** - Locate the program you want to add to startup. It should be in the form of an executable (.exe) file. - Right-click on the program icon and select "Copy" or press `Ctrl+C`. - Return to the Startup folder, right-click anywhere in the empty space, and choose "Paste" or press `Ctrl+V`. This will copy the program into the Startup folder. 3. **Verify Program Addition:** - The program you just copied should now appear in the Startup folder. It will run automatically the next time you start your computer. 4. **Manage Startup Programs (Optional):** - If you want to manage which programs run at startup, you can use the Task Manager: - Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` to open Task Manager. - Click on the "Startup" tab to view all startup items. - Here, you can enable or disable individual programs by right-clicking on them and selecting "Enable" or "Disable." Remember that adding too many programs to the Startup folder can slow down your computer's boot process. Only add essential programs that you want to run automatically.

Step 1. Press the Windows Key + R to open the Windows Run dialog box. Then, type or paste '%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup' into the bar and hit Enter. Alternatively, you can input "shell:startup" to directly navigate to the startup folder.

Step 2. Open the Start Menu by clicking the Start button, and locate the app you want to launch at startup. Right-click on the program.

Step 3. Select "More" > "Open file location" to find the shortcut to the app on your PC.

Step 4. Copy and paste the program shortcut into the Startup folder you opened in Step 1. The app will then launch automatically the next time you start your computer.

Now you don’t have to open the program manually every time you restart your computer; to remove one, just delete its shortcut from the Startup folder.

Third-Party Startup Managers

Sometimes, the built-in startup managers on your Windows 10 might not be as efficient as you desire. They could require more advanced features and functionalities, and occasionally complicate the process of managing startup programs.

However, with the assistance of third-party startup manager software, you can manage your startup applications more effectively and efficiently, often with additional features.

Conclusion

Controlling your Windows 10 startup programs using the methods outlined above is crucial for maintaining smooth computer operation. By doing so, you not only enhance your user experience but also alleviate unnecessary strain on your PC, thereby enhancing its overall performance.