How to Add a Program to Startup in Windows

Setting up programs to start automatically with Windows can be a time-saver if you frequently use certain applications. Let's go over a few methods to ensure the programs you need are always running upon startup.

Method 1: Adding Programs through the Startup Folder

The Startup folder in Windows is a built-in feature that allows you to add programs for automatic startup:

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.

  2. Type shell:startup and press Enter. This will open the Startup folder.

  3. Create a shortcut to the desired program and place it in this folder.

  4. The program will now automatically start every time Windows boots up.

Method 2: Using the Registry Editor (For Advanced Users)

If you're comfortable working with the system registry, this method offers more control:

  1. Press Win + R and type regedit to open the Registry Editor.

  2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.

  3. Create a new string (right-click — New — String Value), give it a name, and enter the full path to the program’s executable file.

  4. Close the Registry Editor — the program is now set to run at startup.

Method 3: Using the Task Manager

In recent versions of Windows (8, 10, and 11), you can manage startup programs directly from the Task Manager:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

  2. Go to the Startup tab.

  3. Find the program you want and enable its startup if it appears in the list.

Method 4: Using the Task Scheduler

If a program doesn’t support startup by default, you can set it to launch with Task Scheduler:

  1. Open Task Scheduler (search for "Task Scheduler" in the Start menu).

  2. Select Create Task and name it accordingly.

  3. Under the “Triggers” tab, choose At log on.

  4. In the “Actions” tab, browse to the program’s executable file.

  5. Save the task — now the program will start whenever you log in.