Solved Adding an application to start with W11

riffwraith · Sep 21, 2023

Hi all

I have an application that I just installed, and I would like i to start when I boot into W11. Used to be, you could just add a shortcut to Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup, but the W11 dir structure is a bit diff.

I searched online, and although I found plenty of tuts telling me how to enable/disable apps from starting with W11, those concern apps that are already there and avail.

How do you add a new app? Thanks in advance.

Ghot · Sep 21, 2023

@riffwraith

1. Go here: C:\Users\Your user name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
2. Drop a shortcut to the app's executable in here.

Add App to Run Automatically at Startup in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to add items to run automatically at startup for your account, specific user(s), or all users in Windows 11. Startup apps are the apps that start automatically when you sign in to Windows 11. You can have any app, shortcut, folder, drive, file, script, etc...

www.elevenforum.com

Brink · Sep 21, 2023

Hello,

You should be able to use an option in the tutorial below to have the app run at startup.

Add App to Run Automatically at Startup in Windows 11 Tutorial

Does this app require elevated rights (Run as administrator)? If so, it will not be allowed to run at startup by default.

riffwraith · Sep 21, 2023

Ghot said:
@riffwraith

1. Go here: C:\Users\Your user name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Hi - did you see my first post? :)

riffwraith · Sep 21, 2023

Oh, well looky that. shell:startup gets you to the right folder; I tried accessing that folder using WinExp, but couldn't :/ Wierd.

But yeah, that does it. Thanks!

Ghot · Sep 21, 2023

riffwraith said:
I tried accessing that folder using WinExp

Are you on an administrator's account?
I can get there via Windows Explorer (aka File Explorer), no problem?

antspants · Sep 21, 2023

I usually use create a task in task scheduler and set it to run whatever at startup with advanced privileges. I use it for FreeFileSync/RealTimeSync.

Ghot · Sep 21, 2023

I only run three startup programs...

Bitdefender, Realtek Audio and TranslucentTB.
Of course Microsoft runs a few, that don't seem to be... a good idea to stop.

For example... I can use Autoruns to stop: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe
But Windows 11 just ignores my desire to stop that one. LOL

I could probably completely stop it, but I'm guessing it would break Windows or something IN Windows.
Another one I'd really like to completely stop is... Notifications. But again, Win 11 would probably throw a hissy-fit. :/

I do have Notifications locked in a small closet with no food, water or light... but it's still IN the house.