How to Change Startup Programs on Windows
Managing startup programs on Windows is an essential task for optimizing your computer’s performance and ensuring that only the necessary applications launch at boot. By changing startup programs, you can speed up your system’s startup time and reduce the strain on your computer’s resources. In this article, we will guide you through the process of how to change startup programs on Windows, including Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Step 1: Open Task Manager
The first step to change startup programs on Windows is to open Task Manager. You can do this by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys simultaneously, or by searching for “Task Manager” in the Start menu.
Step 2: Navigate to the Startup tab
Once Task Manager is open, click on the “Startup” tab. This tab displays a list of all the programs that are set to run at startup, along with their status, impact on startup, and publisher information.
Step 3: Select a program to modify
Scroll through the list of startup programs and select the one you want to modify. You can see the impact of each program on startup, which is represented by a light bulb icon. A green light bulb indicates a high impact, a yellow light bulb indicates a medium impact, and a red light bulb indicates a low impact.
Step 4: Disable or enable the program
After selecting a program, you can either disable or enable it by clicking on the “Disable” or “Enable” button. Disabling a program will prevent it from running at startup, while enabling it will allow it to run at startup.
Step 5: Modify program settings
Some programs may have additional settings that you can modify. To do this, click on the “Open file location” button to find the program’s executable file. Right-click on the file and select “Properties.” In the Properties window, you can modify the program’s startup settings, such as the startup directory or the command line arguments.
Step 6: Save changes and restart your computer
After making the necessary changes, close Task Manager and restart your computer to apply the changes. This will ensure that the startup programs are updated according to your preferences.
Conclusion
Changing startup programs on Windows is a straightforward process that can significantly improve your computer’s performance. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily manage your startup programs and optimize your system’s startup time. Remember to disable only the programs that you do not need at startup, as some essential applications may require a faster startup to function correctly.
