Fix No Startup Items in Task Manager Windows 11

If Windows 11 Task Manager shows “There are no startup items”, it usually means the Startup Apps feature is disabled, the startup folder is empty, or the relevant registry keys are missing or corrupted. The fix is to re-enable the feature, rebuild the startup folder, or repair the registry entries, depending on the cause.

What the Startup Tab Does in Windows 11

The Startup tab in Task Manager lists programs that launch automatically when you sign in to Windows. It shows each app’s name, publisher, status (Enabled or Disabled), and a “Startup impact” rating (None, Low, Medium, High) based on how much it slows down sign-in. This list is built from two main sources:

• Registry Run keys – per-user and per-machine keys that store commands for apps to run at sign-in.
• Startup folders – the user’s Startup folder and the common Startup folder (for all users).

When Task Manager says “There are no startup items,” it means it cannot read any entries from those locations, or the feature itself is turned off.

Why the Error Appears

Several common causes lead to this message, and the right fix depends on which one applies:

• Startup Apps feature is disabled – Windows 11 has a setting to disable startup apps entirely, which makes Task Manager show the message.
• Corrupted or missing registry keys – The Run keys may have been deleted by a cleanup tool, or a failed update may have left them unreadable.
• Empty startup folders – If the Startup folder is empty and the registry keys are missing, there are genuinely no items to display.
• User account issues – A corrupted user profile can prevent Task Manager from reading the registry hive.
• Third-party software interference – Some “optimizer” or security programs may block or remove startup entries.

How to Fix the Error (Step-by-Step)

Try these fixes in order. You will need administrator rights for several of them.

1. Enable Startup Apps in Settings
   Go to Settings > Apps > Startup. If the toggle at the top is off, turn it on. If it is already on, toggle it off and on again to refresh the list.
2. Restart Windows Explorer
   Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), go to the Details tab, right-click explorer.exe, and choose Restart. This refreshes the UI and often resolves display glitches.
3. Check the Startup folders
   Press Win+R, type shell:startup (for your user) and shell:common startup (for all users). If they are empty, that is normal for many systems, but if you expect items there, you can add shortcuts manually.
4. Rebuild the registry Run keys
   Open Registry Editor (regedit) and navigate to:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
   If the Run key is missing, right-click on CurrentVersion, choose New > Key, and name it Run. Do the same for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. Then restart your PC.
5. Run System File Checker
   Open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow. This repairs corrupted system files that may affect Task Manager.
6. Create a new user profile
   If nothing else works, create a new local user account and check if Task Manager shows startup items there. If it does, your original profile is corrupted.

Common Misconceptions

Many users believe that seeing “There are no startup items” means their PC is clean and fast. That is rarely the case. The message usually indicates a problem with the feature itself, not an actual absence of startup programs. Many apps still start via services, scheduled tasks, or other mechanisms that do not appear in the Startup tab. For example, a program can register a scheduled task that runs at logon, and that will not show up in Task Manager’s Startup list. So even if the list is empty, your PC may still be launching background processes.

What to Do If the Fix Doesn’t Work

If you have tried all the steps above and the error persists, consider these additional actions:

• Check for Windows updates – Install the latest updates; a known bug may have been fixed.
• Run DISM – In an elevated Command Prompt, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to repair the system image.
• Boot into Safe Mode – If Task Manager works in Safe Mode, a third-party app is interfering. Disable startup programs one by one to find the culprit.
• Use Autoruns (from Microsoft Sysinternals) – This tool shows all startup locations, including services and scheduled tasks, and can help you identify what is actually running.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will enabling startup items slow down my PC?

Yes, each startup item adds to the time it takes to reach the desktop and can consume background resources. However, disabling all startup items may also break functionality you rely on, such as antivirus or cloud sync. Use the Startup impact column to decide which ones to disable.

Can I add a program to the Startup tab manually?

Yes. You can place a shortcut to the program in the Startup folder (shell:startup). It will then appear in Task Manager’s Startup tab after a restart. Alternatively, you can create a registry entry under the Run key.

Why did my startup items disappear after a Windows update?

Windows updates can occasionally reset settings or fail to migrate registry keys. This is uncommon but possible. Rebuilding the Run keys or restoring from a system restore point can help.

Is it safe to delete all startup items?

No. Some startup items are essential for hardware drivers, security software, and system utilities. Only disable items you recognize and understand. If you are unsure, search the app name online before disabling.

Does the Startup tab show all programs that run at boot?

No. It only shows programs with entries in the Run keys or Startup folders. Many services, scheduled tasks, and drivers start without appearing here. Use Task Manager’s Services tab or Autoruns for a complete picture.

Related

• iPhone Camera Settings for Telephoto Lens Attachments
• Fix Notepad Not Opening on Windows 11
• Smart Spotify Playlists: How to Set Up Rules