Adding a program to startup in Windows 10

Adding a program to startup in Windows 10 is unchallenging yet useful.

Do you ever wondered how helpful it would be if you turn on your pc, and it directs you to the startup programs in the startup folder that you use frequently?

Adding a program to startup in Windows 10

In today’s hectic work routine, people like having a shortcut to apps to maximize their productivity in a limited time.

In a power outage or a shutdown process, Windows closes all the in-use apps simultaneously and then systematically shuts off the system.

Adding a program to startup in Windows 10
Wrap up

Once you open the Windows afterward, the Windows boot takes a lot of time to land you exactly to the app where you left off using startup programs.

To counter the issue, we have listed down a few methods that may provide surreal help whenever you do a customary PC startup; instead of sliding into the search bar to look up for specific apps, you directly land in the startup folder where your startup apps, are pre-loaded.

Furthermore, if you have demanding work that needs you to check the mail frequently, you can make Gmail startup automatically with your Windows computer through the shortcut you have made of the startup items to locate it into a startup folder.

Below, we have listed down a few pros of using quick startup shortcuts that include the startup folder, which may help you in getting a quick start on your startup programs.

Quick navigation to the frequently used startup programs through the startup folder;
Browse the hidden files that may take up minutes to locate, as they are often present in ZIP folders;
Manually create a list to combine all favorite apps in the startup programs in one place in the startup folder;
Creation of startup programs in the startup folder that help in minimizing the immediate burden on RAM, as programs start loading once you turn on the Windows;
Program shortcuts present in the startup folder can help in the quick fixing process for any apps that crash at the beginning, as any preceding error gets fixed at the very beginning.
You get the benefit of directly getting to your desired startup programs and apps through the startup folder instead of opening the homepage and being hooked with an unnecessary notification that kills your time.

For your guidance, we have listed below three methods of adding a startup program to the startup folder. Using any of them might open up a doorway to a plethora of advantages and might also help you in managing your time efficiently.

Adding a program or app to the Startup folder in Windows 10 using Task Manager

The quickest and most convenient way of adding a program to the Windows startup folder is through the Windows Task Manager. This is because the Task Manager is easily accessible via the Windows taskbar and requires minimum effort.

Here’s how you can add any program or application to Windows 10 startup folder using Task Manager:

Press Windows key + X to enable the power user tasks menu. You can also right-click on the taskbar to launch the power menu;
Tap “Task Manager” on the list;

Adding a program to startup in Windows 10

Now, switch to the “Startup tab” on the Task Manager window;

Next, right-click the app you want to display at startup and click the “Enable” option from the menu. The enabled apps will now run automatically whenever you start your system;

You can follow the same steps for disabling any application at startup. To remove programs, select “Disable” from the contextual menu.

Adding a program to the Startup folder in Windows 10 via the Run dialog box

Another simple way of launching a program at startup is through the Run prompt. This method makes use of a command and allows the user to add apps and icons manually to the startup folder.

Follow the below steps to add your preferred programs to the Windows startup screen:

Press the Windows + R keys to launch the Run app. You can also right-click on the Windows icon at the taskbar or start button and open the “Run” app from there;
Type the “shell:startup” command on the Run window and click “OK“;

Drag your favorite programs to this folder, and once you do that those apps and programs will automatically load as soon as your PC starts;
In case the drag and drop function doesn’t work well for you, you can also utilize the shortcut feature. For this, right-click on the startup folder (the folder that you opened from the Run command), and select “New” from the menu followed by the “Shortcut” option;

A create shortcut wizard will open up. Manually enter the location of the program you want to add to the startup or click the “Browse” option to select the program location from the list;

Tap on the “Next” button at the bottom of the window;

Name the program shortcut and then click “Finish” to confirm the changes;

Finally, reboot your PC, and see how the selected programs will run automatically.

Launching programs at Startup using the Start Menu

Windows 10 provides its users with the ability to create program shortcuts, making it easier to access them via desktop.

Here’s how you can use the Start Menu to add programs to the startup folder on your Windows 10 device:

Click on the “Start Menu” on the Windows taskbar;
Search your desired apps and right-click on them to select the “Open file location” option;

Right-click the application again and go to the “Send to” option in the contextual menu followed by “Desktop (create shortcut)“;

Find the newly created shortcut on your desktop and copy and paste it into the Windows startup folder.

Wrap up

As the saying goes by, “Time is an Asset“, we have formulated our findings into getting you through three of the best methods to add a program to the startup applications folder in Windows 10.

Applying the aforementioned methods will surely fulfill the purpose of automating your work.

After all, who likes to wait minutes in locating unnamed Excel sheets or loading RAM-consuming software that may take up to 10-15 minutes just to load properly?

Managing apps and programs through these shortcut methods using the startup folder can make your life easier, and you can safely bid adieu to the long process of frustratingly looking at your screen while waiting for your specific program to load.

All the selected programs will now run automatically right alongside the startup folder of your Windows.

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