How to Add Startup Programs in Windows 11
In Windows 11, managing startup programs is an essential task for optimizing your system’s performance. Startup programs are applications that automatically launch when you boot up your computer. While some of these programs are necessary for your system to function properly, others may slow down your startup process. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to add startup programs in Windows 11.
Step 1: Open Task Manager
To begin, you need to open Task Manager. There are several ways to do this:
1. Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` on your keyboard to open Task Manager directly.
2. Right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager” from the context menu.
3. Press `Windows + X` and choose “Task Manager” from the 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.
Step 3: Add a New Startup Program
To add a new startup program, follow these steps:
1. Click on “Open file location” in the upper-right corner of the Task Manager window. This will open the folder where the startup programs are stored.
2. In the folder, navigate to the program you want to add to the startup. Right-click on the program and select “Create shortcut.”
3. In the “Create Shortcut” window, click “Next.”
4. In the “Where do you want to save this shortcut?” field, click “Browse” and navigate to the folder where the program is installed. Select the program’s executable file and click “OK.”
5. Click “Next” and then “Finish” to create the shortcut.
6. Right-click on the newly created shortcut and select “Properties.”
7. In the “Shortcut” tab, click “Change” next to the “Target” field.
8. Add ` -start` at the end of the target path. For example, if the target path is `C:\Program Files\MyApp\MyApp.exe`, change it to `C:\Program Files\MyApp\MyApp.exe -start`.
9. Click “OK” to save the changes and close the Properties window.
10. Drag the shortcut from the folder to the Task Manager’s “Startup” tab.
Step 4: Verify the Program is Added to Startup
After adding the program to the startup, go back to the “Startup” tab in Task Manager. You should now see the program listed under “Startup items.” This indicates that the program will run at startup in Windows 11.
By following these steps, you can easily add startup programs in Windows 11. Remember to be cautious when adding programs to the startup, as too many startup items can significantly slow down your system’s boot time.
