While a number of apps you install on Windows 10 feature an option to launch automatically when your computer loads, you can also configure any app whether the option is available or not by simply adding its shortcut to the Startup folder.
Sometimes, programs slow down Windows 10 startup. And, there are programs we never use that boot at startup. One such app is Skype. I do not use Skype. However, when I boot my Windows 10 PC, Skype loads automatically. In this article, learn how to change your Windows 10 startup programs. And, stop Skype from automatically loading on Windows boot. Mar 28, 2019 This opens the location where the shortcut to the app is saved. If there isn’t an option for Open file location, it means the app can’t run at startup. With the file location open, press the Windows logo key + R, type shell:startup, then select OK. This opens the Startup folder.
Also, you're not just limited to desktop applications. You can set Windows Store apps to start automatically as well as files, folders, and websites.
In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to automatically launch apps, files, folders, and websites on startup to speed up your daily tasks.
How to launch apps on startup
If you work with the same apps or launch the same websites on a regular basis, then use these steps to get them started automatically as you sign in to your Windows 10 account:
- Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
Type the following command to open the Startup folder and press Enter:
shell:startupClick OK.
- Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
Type the following command to open the Applications folder, which contains shortcuts of all your installed applications (including Windows Store apps), and press Enter:
shell:AppsFolderClick OK.
- Snap the Applications folder to the left, and the Startup folder to the right.
Select the app you want from the Applications folders and drag and drop to the Startup folder.
- Repeat step No. 8 for all the applications you want to launch after signing in to your account.
Once you completed the steps, every time you access your account apps will open automatically. If you want an app to start maximized, just click the maximize button, and then the app will remember the window size.
In the above instructions, we show the steps to add an app, but you can also add files, folders, and shortcuts to websites. For example, if you usually work with an Excel spreadsheet, you don't need to add the shortcut to open Excel. It's easier to right-click, drag, and drop the spreadsheet file in the Startup folder and select the Create shortcut here option from the context menu.
Just remember that each shortcut you include in the Startup folder will cause Windows 10 to take a bit longer to load, as such it's only recommended to keep the list of items small as possible. (You can also refer you our guide to manage apps on startup.)
More Windows 10 resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
How Do I Make Skype Open On Startup Windows 10
Many PC users out there are under the impression that apps and programs that feature an option to load with Windows can only be run at startup. The fact is, you can make any app or program to start with Windows.
Making an app or program start with Windows 10 is quite easy. You just need to add the app or program to the startup folder to make them automatically start with Windows. The feature comes in handy if you want to launch your favorite programs with Windows 10 automatically.
In this guide, we will see how to add programs and apps to startup folder in Windows 10.
Method 1 of 2
Add apps to startup in Windows 10
To add programs to startup, refer to instructions in Method 2 given below.How to design an airbox.
Step 1: First of all, you need to create a shortcut to the app that you would like to add to startup in Windows 10. To do so, simply drag and drop the app from the Start to the desktop are to create a shortcut to the app on the desktop.
Step 2: Now, open Run command box by simultaneously pressing Windows logo and R keys (Windows logo + R). In the Run command field, type shell:startup and then press Enter key to open Startup folder.
Step 3: Finally, copy and paste or cut and paste the app shortcut from the desktop to this Startup folder to add the app to startup. That’s it!
From now on, whenever you turn on your PC, the app will be automatically launched soon after you see the desktop. For instance, if you add Mail app to startup, Windows 10 will automatically open the Mail app once the boot is complete.
Add classic desktop programs to startup in Windows 10
Step 1: Just like apps, you need to create desktop shortcuts to programs first. To create a desktop shortcut to a program, search for the program using Start/taskbar search, right-click on the search entry, click Open file location, right-click on the program entry, click Send to and then click Desktop (create shortcut) option.
Step 2: Open Run command box using Windows logo + R keyboard shortcut. You can also type Run in the Start/taskbar search and then press Enter key to open Run command.
Step 3: In the Run command box, type shell:startup, and then press Enter to open the startup folder.
Step 4: Finally, copy and paste, or cut and paste the program shortcut on the desktop to the startup folder. That’s it!
To remove a program from startup, please refer to our how to remove programs from Windows 10 startup guide.