How To Add Programs To Startup Windows 11 Updated [verified] Jun 2026

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Right-click in the right pane, select New > String Value , name it, and set its value to the full file path of the program (e.g., "C:\Program Files\App\App.exe" Microsoft Support

Many modern applications feature native startup toggles built directly into their own preferences menus. This is often the cleanest method for third-party tools.

You must choose whether you want the program to launch only for you, or for every user account on the computer: : Type shell:startup and press Enter . how to add programs to startup windows 11 updated

October 2025 Reading Time: 8 minutes

Many robust applications—such as Discord, Spotify, Steam, and Microsoft Teams—have their own internal settings to manage system startup. Enabling startup within the app itself is often the most stable method because it allows the software to handle its background updates correctly. Open the specific program you want to launch at startup. October 2025 Reading Time: 8 minutes Many robust

This will display a list of applications that can be configured to run at startup.

There are several ways to add programs to startup in Windows 11. We will cover the following methods: This will display a list of applications that

Standard startup methods sometimes fail if a program requires administrative permissions (UAC prompts) to run. The Windows Task Scheduler bypasses this restriction, allowing high-privilege apps to launch silently at boot. Click the , type Task Scheduler , and press Enter .

If you need more than just "run on startup," Windows 11's is your most powerful tool. It allows you to create automated tasks with triggers, conditions, and advanced options. For example, you can set a program to:

The Settings app cannot arbitrarily add any .exe file; it only manages apps that have implemented the necessary Windows APIs.

You will see a list of all applications that are already configured to run at startup, along with their "Startup Impact" (Low, Medium, High, or Not measured).