How to configure applications at Windows startup: The ultimate guide to optimizing your PC

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Do you want your favorite programs to open automatically as soon as you turn on your computer, or, conversely, do you want to lighten the startup process to speed up Windows?

In this technical guide, we will look step-by-step at all the official techniques and methods for managing startup applications on Windows, ranging from the simplest methods for standard users to advanced solutions for system administrators.


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1. Management via Windows Settings (Standard Method)

This is the simplest and safest method, ideal for most modern applications (such as Spotify, Discord, OneDrive).

Step-by-Step Procedure:

  1. Open Settings by pressing the Windows + I keyboard shortcut.
  2. In the sidebar menu, select Apps.
  3. Click on Startup (or Startup apps depending on the Windows version).
  4. You will be shown a list of all applications enabled to start with the system. Each entry is accompanied by a performance impact indicator (Low, Medium, High).
  5. Turn on or off the switch next to the desired application to include or exclude it from startup.

2. Using Task Manager

Task Manager offers a more technical and immediate overview, also allowing you to check the direct impact on boot time ("Last BIOS time").

Step-by-Step Procedure:

  1. Open Task Manager using the Ctrl + Shift + Esc shortcut.
  2. If the window opens in compact mode, click on More details at the bottom.
  3. Click on the Startup apps icon (speedometer/gauge) in the left sidebar.
  4. Right-click on the application you want to manage.
  5. Select Disable to remove it from startup, or Enable to turn it back on.

Technical Note: Disabling unnecessary programs from startup is the quickest and most efficient way to reduce PC loading times without uninstalling any software.


3. Advanced Method: The "Startup" Folder

If an application does not appear in Settings or Task Manager (such as a custom script, a .bat batch file, or older software), you can force it to start by manually placing it in the dedicated system folder.

Step-by-Step Procedure:

  1. Press the Windows + R combination to open the Run dialog box.
  2. To apply startup for the current user only, type:
    shell:startup and press Enter.
  3. To apply startup for all users on the PC, type instead:
    shell:common startup and press Enter.
  4. A File Explorer folder will open.
  5. Create a shortcut of the application, script, or file you want to start at boot (right-click the original file -> Show more options -> Create shortcut).
  6. Copy and paste the newly created shortcut into the Startup folder opened in step 2 or 3.

4. Management via Task Scheduler

For advanced users and system administrators, Task Scheduler allows you to configure an application to run with elevated privileges (as an administrator), with a specific time delay, or only when certain network conditions are met.

Step-by-Step Procedure:

  1. Press Windows + R, type taskschd.msc and press Enter to open Task Scheduler.
  2. In the right-hand panel, click on Create Basic Task... (for a guided wizard) or Create Task... (for advanced options).
  3. Assign a Name and a description to the task.
  4. In the Triggers tab, click New... and select At startup from the "Begin the task" drop-down menu.
  5. In the Actions tab, click New..., leave the action as Start a program, and select the executable (.exe) using the Browse button.
  6. (Optional) In the Conditions or Settings tab, you can configure it to run only if the PC is plugged into AC power or delay startup by a few minutes to avoid overloading the CPU during boot.
  7. Click OK to confirm.

5. Windows Registry Modification (Registry Editor - Pro Method)

Many malware and commercial software use Windows Registry keys to persistently run in the background. This method is useful if you are developing software or managing enterprise configurations.

⚠️ Warning

Incorrectly modifying the Windows Registry can cause operating system instability. Proceed with caution.

Step-by-Step Procedure:

  1. Press Windows + R, type regedit and press Enter.
  2. Navigate through the tree structure to one of the following registry keys:
    • For the current user:
      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    • For all users on the PC (requires Administrator privileges):
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
  3. In the right-hand panel, right-click on an empty space, select New -> String Value.
  4. Rename the string to the name of the program you want to start.
  5. Double-click on the newly created string and, in the Value data field, enter the full path of the executable enclosed in quotes (e.g., "C:\Program Files\MyProgram pp.exe").
  6. Click OK and close the Registry Editor.

Summary Table of Techniques

Method Difficulty Required Privileges Ideal Use Case
Windows Settings Easy Standard User Modern apps and Windows Store apps
Task Manager Easy Standard User Quick control and app disabling
Startup Folder Medium User/Administrator Scripts, batch files, legacy programs
Task Scheduler Advanced Administrator Startup with delay or elevated privileges
Registry Editor Advanced Administrator Software deployment / Deep control


Alternative Procedures (in case of issues with Windows shortcut commands)

If for any reason you cannot use the Win + R key combination (for example, if the Windows key is disabled, broken, or if you are using a restrictive configuration), you can still access all necessary system tools (Run, Command Prompt, system folders, and registries).

Here are the best alternatives grouped by method:

1. Alternatives to Open the "Run" Window or Quick Commands

If you cannot use the keyboard shortcut but need to call up the Run dialog box or system commands:

  • Via the Start Menu (Right-Click):
    1. Right-click the Start button (the Windows icon on the taskbar) or press the Windows + X keyboard shortcut (if the key works).
    2. From the context menu that appears, select Run. The classic window will open where you can type shell:startup, regedit, or taskschd.msc.
  • Via the Windows Search Bar:
    1. Click on the magnifying glass icon or the search bar on the taskbar (or press Windows + S).
    2. Directly type the name of the tool or command you need (e.g., Task Scheduler, Registry Editor, or directly paste shell:startup).

2. Alternatives for the "Startup" Folder (shell:startup)

If you cannot use the Win + R command to open the Startup folder, you can navigate through the drive manually via File Explorer (make sure you have enabled viewing hidden items first, as the AppData folder is hidden by default):

  1. Open File Explorer (Win + E or by clicking the folder icon on the taskbar).
  2. For the current user folder, navigate to:
    C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
    (Replace USERNAME with your Windows account name).
  3. For the all users folder, navigate to:
    C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp

3. Alternatives for Task Scheduler (taskschd.msc)

Instead of launching the .msc file via the Run window, you can open the task scheduler this way:

  • Via Control Panel:
    1. Open Control Panel (search for it in the Windows search bar).
    2. Go to System and Security -> Administrative Tools.
    3. Double-click on Task Scheduler.
  • Via Computer Management:
    1. Right-click Start and select Computer Management (or search for it in the search bar).
    2. In the left column, expand Task Scheduler.

4. Alternatives for Registry Editor (regedit)

If you cannot type regedit via the Run command:

  • Via File Explorer:
    1. Open File Explorer and click on the address bar at the top.
    2. Clear everything, type regedit and press Enter. (Windows will open the Registry Editor bypassing the Run menu).
  • Via Command Prompt or PowerShell:
    1. Search for Command Prompt or PowerShell in the Windows search bar.
    2. Type regedit and press Enter.




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