How to Add a Program to Windows 10 Startup

Adding a program to Windows 10 startup makes it launch automatically every time you sign in to your account. This is handy for apps you use daily, like email clients, cloud storage, or communication tools. You can do it through the Settings app, the Startup folder, or Task Manager, and no admin rights are needed for your own account.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 10 PC with an administrator account (for some methods).
• The program you want to add – either installed or as a portable executable (.exe) file.
• For the Startup folder method, you’ll need to know where the program’s .exe file is located (e.g., in Program Files or your Downloads folder).

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using the Startup Folder (Simplest)

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type shell:startup and press Enter. This opens the Startup folder for your current user.
3. Locate the program you want to add. If it’s installed, find its shortcut by searching for it in the Start Menu, then drag it into the Startup folder. If it’s a portable app, navigate to its .exe file in File Explorer and drag it into the folder.
4. Alternatively, right-click in the Startup folder, select New → Shortcut, and browse to the program’s .exe file. Click Next, name the shortcut, and click Finish.
5. Close the folder. The program will now start automatically at your next sign-in.

Method 2: Using Settings (for Microsoft Store Apps)

1. Open Settings (Win + I) and go to Apps → Startup.
2. You’ll see a list of apps that are allowed to run at startup. Find the app you want to add. If it’s not listed, it may not support this method (see Method 1).
3. Toggle the switch to On for that app.
4. Close Settings. The app will launch on next sign-in.

Method 3: Via Task Manager (for apps already running)

1. Right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager (or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Click More details at the bottom if you see the compact view.
3. Go to the Startup tab. This shows apps that currently start with Windows, but you can’t add new ones here directly – it only lets you enable/disable existing entries.
4. If the program is already running, you can right-click it in the Processes tab and select Open file location. Then create a shortcut from that file and place it in the Startup folder (Method 1).

Method 4: Using the All Users Startup Folder (for every user)

1. Press Win + R, type shell:common startup, and press Enter. This opens the Startup folder for all users.
2. You’ll need administrator privileges to modify this folder. If prompted, allow the action.
3. Create a shortcut to your program here, just like in Method 1.
4. Close the folder. The program will start for every user account on the PC.

Common Mistakes

• Dragging the actual .exe instead of a shortcut – If you drag the .exe file itself into the Startup folder, it might still work, but a shortcut is cleaner and easier to manage. Shortcuts also allow you to add arguments (like opening a specific file).
• Using the wrong Startup folder – The current-user folder is shell:startup, while the all-users folder is shell:common startup. Mixing them up can cause the program to start for the wrong users or not at all.
• Adding a program that requires admin rights – If the program needs administrator privileges, it may not start properly at sign-in because Windows UAC won’t prompt automatically. You may need to set the shortcut to “Run as administratorâ€� (right-click shortcut → Properties → Compatibility → check “Run this program as an administratorâ€�).
• Expecting Settings to list every app – The Settings Startup page only shows apps that register themselves as startup apps. Many desktop programs won’t appear there; use the Startup folder instead.

Tips

• Use the Startup folder for portable apps – If you have a portable version of a program (no installation), the Startup folder is the most reliable way to launch it.
• Add a delay if needed – Some programs may slow down boot if they start too early. You can use Task Scheduler to delay startup, or simply add a batch file that waits a few seconds before launching the program.
• Keep it minimal – Too many startup programs can significantly slow down your PC. Review your startup list periodically and disable anything you don’t need.
• Check for the program’s own settings – Many apps have a built-in option like “Start with Windowsâ€� in their settings. That’s often the most reliable way, as it may handle dependencies better.

Troubleshooting

• The program doesn’t start at all – First, verify the shortcut in the Startup folder is correct. Right-click it and choose “Open file locationâ€� to ensure the target path is valid. Also, check if the program requires admin rights; if so, set the shortcut to run as administrator as described above.
• The program starts but then crashes – This can happen if the program depends on services or network connections that aren’t ready yet. Try adding a delay using Task Scheduler: open Task Scheduler, create a task that triggers “At log onâ€� and set a delay (e.g., 30 seconds) before launching the program.
• The program appears in Settings but the toggle is greyed out – This usually means the startup entry is managed by Group Policy or the program is running as an administrator. You can try disabling it via Task Manager, or if it’s greyed out permanently, you may need to edit the registry (advanced) or contact your system administrator.
• Startup folder won’t open – If shell:startup doesn’t work, you can manually navigate to C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. Replace “YourUsernameâ€� with your actual username.
• Program starts twice – This can happen if the program is registered in both the Startup folder and its own settings. Check both locations and remove one entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a program to startup without admin rights?

Yes, using the current-user Startup folder (shell:startup) does not require admin rights. You can add shortcuts there for your own account.

Why can’t I see my program in the Settings Startup list?

Settings only shows apps that explicitly register themselves as startup apps. Many traditional desktop programs don’t do this; they rely on the Startup folder instead. Use the Startup folder method for those.

How do I remove a program from startup?

You can remove it by deleting its shortcut from the Startup folder, or by toggling it off in Settings or Task Manager (Startup tab).

Will adding a program to startup slow down my PC?

It can, especially if the program is resource-heavy. Each startup program adds to the time it takes for your desktop to become usable. It’s best to keep only essential programs.

Can I add a website to startup?

Yes, you can create a shortcut to a website (e.g., a URL) and place it in the Startup folder. The default browser will open that page at sign-in.

What’s the difference between the current-user and all-users Startup folders?

The current-user folder (shell:startup) only affects your account, while the all-users folder (shell:common startup) affects every user on the PC. The all-users folder requires admin rights to modify.

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