Learn how to access and manage Windows 10 Startup folder. We will also discuss how to add and remove programs to and from the Startup folder.:
Though Windows 10 startup folder got put on the back burner quite some time ago, it is yet available and can be accessed by the user. You can easily access this folder and add or remove applications from this folder when needed.
In this article, we will discuss various ways to access Windows 10 Startup folder and will talk about how to add a program in the Startup folder.
What You Will Learn:
Windows 10 Startup Folder
When you boot up your system, it first loads the important files in the memory, which launches the boot sequence in the system. After the important files in the memory are loaded, various top prioritized programs also get loaded in the memory as the system is booted and these programs are called the startup programs.
The Windows 10 startup folder is the collective location of these startup programs and you can easily make adjustments in the startup folder.
Why Manage Windows Startup Folder
Startup programs not only affect the speed of the system but also affects the efficiency and working of the most used applications. Users stack up against their most used applications in the startup folder Windows 10, which might range from antivirus software to conference applications.
Sometimes there are so many processes involved with these applications that they take up a larger share of the system’s RAM and slow down the system. So it is vital for you to manage the applications which are to be included in the startup folder Windows 10.
On the other hand, managing Windows 10 startup folder makes it easier for the user to access the most used application, as they will be instantly loaded in the memory as the system starts.
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Programs To Add To The Startup Folder
The startup folder is one of the most important folders in the system because it helps you to choose which programs are to be loaded in the memory when the system boots. So the user must choose programs based on their usage.
Some of the basic programs which can be added to the startup folder are as follows:
#1) The Programs You Use Daily
There are various common programs that you might use daily, like Microsoft Word or Notepad, so it is well-advised to add them to the startup folder so they can be easily loaded in the memory when the system boots up.
#2) Backup Software
There have been quite a lot of issues when people complain of their data being lost due to system failure, so it is best suited to add backup software in the startup folder so that all data is backed up as the system boots.
A virus is a potential threat to the system and there are times when you start using the system without scanning it manually. Therefore, you must add an antivirus program in the startup folder so that it gets launched in the memory when the system starts up.
Where Is The Startup Folder In Windows 10
There are various ways to locate and access Windows 10 startup folder and some of them are listed below:
Method 1: Start Menu
The simplest way to locate startup applications is by simply searching for them on the search bar and accessing them. You can easily look for your application by a search bar provided by the system that allows you to search the entire system for applications.
Follow the steps listed below to search for startup applications using the Start menu:
#1) Click on the search bar and search for “Startup”. Click on “Startup Apps” as shown in the image below.
#2) A window will open, toggle off the switch to disable an application to load on the startup.
Method 2: Settings
The Settings allow users to make adjustments in the various system configurations and also it allows you to search for various settings which can be configured.
Follow the steps mentioned below to access startup applications using Settings:
#1) Click on the Windows button and further click on “Settings”.
#2) A window will open as shown in the image below. Click on “Apps”.
#3) A window will open, as shown in the image below. Click on “Startup” and then toggle the switch off to the applications you wish to disable at startup.
Method 3: Task Manager
The task manager is a feature that allows you to monitor the various process going on in the background and also allows you to access the startup apps.
Follow the steps mentioned below to open Task Manager and access the startup applications:
#1) Right-click on the taskbar and a list will appear as shown in the image below. Click on “Task Manager”.
#2) A dialog box will appear. Click on “Startup” and then right-click the application you want to disable. Click on “Disable”.
Method 4: Accessing From My PC
The startup programs can be accessed from the Settings and various other methods, but these are stored on Local Disk (C:), and the folder can be directly accessed by you.
Follow the steps listed below to access the startup folder:
#1) Open This PC. Follow the directory as mentioned “This PC > Local Disk (C:) > Program Data > Microsoft > Windows > Start Menu > Programs > Startup” and a window will open as shown in the image below.
Method 5: Using Run
The Run feature in Windows allows users to directly access various features and make modifications in the settings. Follow the steps listed below to access Windows 10 startup folder using the Run feature:
#1) Press the Window button + R and a dialog box will appear as shown in the image below. Enter “shell: common startup” and click on “OK”.
#2) A window will appear as shown in the image below and it will be the startup folder.
How To Add Programs To Startup Folder
The user can easily Add/Remove programs from the startup folder by following the steps mentioned below:
#1) Create a shortcut of the program which you want to add to the startup folder by making a right-click on the program and clicking on “Create shortcut” as shown in the image below.
#2) Open the startup folder and paste the shortcut to it. Restart your system.
How to Remove Program From Startup Folder
Windows provides its users with the feature to remove programs for the startup folder and alter the programs which start when the system boots.
Follow the steps listed below to remove programs from the startup folder:
#1) Press the Window button + R and a dialog box will appear as shown in the image below. Enter “shell: common startup” and click on “OK”.
#2) A window will appear as shown and it will be the startup folder. Right-click on the program you wish to remove. Click on “Delete” to remove the program from the startup folder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q #1) How do I open the startup folder in Windows 10?
Answer: The user can follow the steps mentioned below to open the startup folder in Windows 10:
- Press Windows +R from the keyboard.
- A dialog box will appear, type shell: common startup, and click on OK.
- The Windows 10 startup folder will open.
Q #2) What is the Startup folder?
Answer: The startup folder is a folder in C Drive which consists of the files and programs which are to be loaded into the memory when the system starts.
Q #3) How do you check what starts at startup in Windows 10?
Answer: You can follow the steps mentioned below to check what starts at startup in Windows 10:
- Right-click on the taskbar and then click on Task Manager.
- A dialog box will open, click on Startup.
- A series of the process will be visible. These are the programs that start at startup in Windows 10.
Q #4) Does Windows 10 have a startup folder?
Answer: Yes, Windows 10 has, and it contains the list and shortcuts of programs that are loaded in the memory when the system starts.
Q #5) Where is all user’s startup folder in Windows 10?
Answer: The directory address of all users’ startup folders is “C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp”.
Q #6) How do I open the startup menu?
Answer: The user can open the startup menu very easily by pressing the Windows button from the keyboard or by clicking on the Windows icon in the taskbar.
Q #7) How do I remove startup programs in Windows 10?
Answer: You can easily edit the startup programs list by following the steps mentioned below:
- Press Windows + R from the keyboard and a dialog box will appear.
- Search for shell: common startup and press Enter
- A window will open. Delete the programs you wish to remove from the startup list and restart the system.
Q #8) Where is the startup folder in Win 10?
Answer: It is located in C: directory with the directory address.
“C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp”
The user can easily access this folder and add/ remove files from this folder.
Conclusion
Windows startup folder is a feature of Windows which allows you to manage and access the most used programs. It also prioritizes the programs which have to get loaded in the memory first.
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In this article, we came around various ways to access Win 10 startup folder, and also we discussed the ways to Add/ Remove programs in Windows 10 startup folder.