How to Find Startup Folder in Windows 10

This guide shows you exactly where the Windows 10 startup folder is located and how to open it in under a minute. You’ll learn two methods: one for your personal startup items and another for the shared folder that affects all users on the PC. No special tools or admin rights are needed for the personal folder, though the shared one requires an administrator account.

What You’ll Need

• A PC running Windows 10
• For the shared startup folder: an administrator account

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using the Run Dialog (Fastest)

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard simultaneously. The Run dialog box will open in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
2. Type shell:startup into the text field (without quotes).
3. Press Enter or click OK. File Explorer will open directly to your personal startup folder.

Method 2: Navigating Through File Explorer

1. Open File Explorer (the folder icon on your taskbar, or press Windows key + E).
2. Click on the View tab at the top of the window.
3. Check the box next to Hidden items in the Show/hide section. This is required because the AppData folder is hidden by default.
4. Navigate to: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. Replace [YourUsername] with your actual Windows username (the folder name shown under C:\Users).

Finding the Shared Startup Folder (All Users)

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type shell:common startup (without quotes).
3. Press Enter. This opens the shared folder at C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp. Programs placed here run for every user who logs into the computer.

Adding a Program to the Startup Folder

1. Open the startup folder using either method above.
2. Right-click on an empty area inside the folder.
3. Select New > Shortcut.
4. Click Browse, find the .exe file of the program you want to auto-start, select it, and click OK.
5. Click Next, give the shortcut a name, and click Finish.
6. Restart your computer to test. The program should launch automatically when you sign in.

Common Mistakes

• Typing the full path manually: Misspelling your username or the path will lead to a “path not found” error. Always use shell:startup instead.
• Forgetting to enable hidden items: If you navigate manually without checking “Hidden items” under the View tab, you won’t see the AppData folder.
• Using the wrong AppData subfolder: The startup folder is in Roaming, not Local or LocalLow. Putting shortcuts in Local will not work.
• Placing the actual program file instead of a shortcut: The startup folder should contain shortcuts (.lnk files), not the .exe itself. Placing the .exe there can cause errors or duplicate launches.
• Confusing the shared and personal folders: Adding an app to the shared folder makes it run for all users, which may slow down other people’s logins.

Tips

• To remove a startup item, simply delete its shortcut from the folder. The original program remains installed.
• If you want to temporarily disable a startup item without deleting it, move the shortcut to your Desktop or another folder.
• Check the Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc > Startup tab) to see all startup programs, including those registered in the registry. The folder only shows a small portion of everything that runs at boot.
• You can also open the startup folder from the Start Menu: press Windows key, type Run, then enter shell:startup.
• For a quick way to see the folder path, right-click the folder’s address bar in File Explorer and select “Copy address as text.”

Troubleshooting

• The Run dialog says “Windows cannot find ‘shell:startup’: Ensure you typed it exactly as shown, with no spaces. If it still fails, try navigating manually via File Explorer.
• You get an “Access Denied” error when opening the shared folder: You need administrator privileges. Right-click on the folder in File Explorer and select “Run as administrator,” or log in with an admin account.
• The startup folder appears empty, but programs still launch at boot: Many programs register themselves in the Windows registry (under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run) instead of using the folder. Use Task Manager’s Startup tab to manage those.
• A shortcut you added does not run at startup: Check that the target program’s path is correct. Right-click the shortcut, select Properties, and verify the “Target” field. Also confirm the shortcut is in the correct user’s folder if you only want it for that user.
• File Explorer crashes when opening the folder: This is rare but can happen with corrupted shell extensions. Restart your PC and try again. If it persists, run sfc /scannow in an elevated Command Prompt to repair system files.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the exact path to the startup folder in Windows 10?

For your personal folder: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. For all users: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp.

Why can’t I see the AppData folder?

AppData is hidden by default. In File Explorer, go to the View tab and check “Hidden items.” Alternatively, just use the Run command shell:startup which bypasses the need to navigate manually.

Can I put a folder or document in the startup folder?

Yes, but it will open that folder or document in its default app at login. If you want a program to run, create a shortcut to its .exe file instead of placing the file itself.

Does the startup folder work the same in Windows 11?

Yes, the paths and the shell:startup command work identically in Windows 11. The only difference is the Start Menu layout, which does not affect this folder.

How do I stop a program from launching at startup without deleting it?

Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the Startup tab, right-click the program, and choose “Disable.” This is safer than deleting the shortcut because you can re-enable it later.

Is it better to use the startup folder or Task Manager to manage startup apps?

Use the folder to add new items easily. Use Task Manager to disable or enable existing items, as it shows all startup programs including those from the registry, and gives you a “Startup impact” rating to see which ones slow down your boot.

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