How To Choose Which Apps Open On Startup

When you've been using your computer for a while, you find that the startup process will gradually slow down. Even though you're using a solid-state drive, you will find that what used to take only a second or two now takes five to six seconds.

While this isn't much time when compared to the hard disk drive computers we had in the past, the additional four seconds means you're now waiting three times as long as when you didn't have any apps installed. So what's causing this slowdown? And what can you do to mitigate it?

Startup Programs That Slow Your PC Down

As you add apps and features to your PC, you will notice that some of them automatically open the moment you log in. These include cloud services, keyboard and mouse drivers, messaging apps, and more.

Having your most-used apps readily available the moment you turn your computer on is useful. However, apps you don't really use that open at startup reduce your PC's wake-up time and consume computer resources unnecessarily. Some of these include gaming services, unneeded drivers, and even pre-installed apps.

So how can you avoid this? By controlling which apps open and which apps stay closed when you start your computer.

How to Remove Startup Programs in Windows 11

To stop apps from opening when you log in, you have to go to your computer's setting. First, click on the Start Menu button, then click on the Gear icon beside the Power Button. Alternatively, you can click on All apps on the upper right-hand corner of your Start Menu, the go to S to look for Settings.

Once the Settings window is open, go to Apps on the left-hand side menu. In the main Apps window, go to Startup. You will now see a list of apps that launch when you log in. Pick out the apps you don't use from the list, and then click on the slider on the right column to switch it off.

When done, the apps you choose not to startup will no longer open once you log in. This will make your computer boot faster and remove unnecessary apps in the boot process.

But what if you open your PC for one purpose only? And having an app open at the outset will save you time, but it's not listed in the Startup options. What could you do?

How to Add Startup Programs to Your Windows 11 PC

You can add programs you want to open automatically in your Start Menu's Startup folder. It's not readily accessible, so you have to use the Windows key + R command to open Run. You then need to type shell:startup in the text field and press OK.

A new file explorer window called Startup will then appear. You then need to navigate to the program's executable file you want to auto-launch. Right-click on the program, choose Show more options, then select Create shortcut from the legacy context menu.

Once you've created the shortcut, move it into the Startup folder. Your computer will then automatically open the apps you've added into that folder every time you log in—thus saving you time and effort.

Be More Efficient in Windows 11

By controlling which apps open automatically and which apps stay closed when you're logging in for the day, you can make yourself or your computer more efficient. Because unnecessary apps don't open at the start and don't stay running in the background, you can save your computer's resources, allowing it to run faster.

Alternatively, by automatically launching the apps you need for the day, you no longer have to individually find each app in your start menu to open it. All you need is to save their shortcuts into your Startup folder, and the computer will open it for you at the start of the day.

By controlling your computer's automation, you can now make yourself more effective, letting you do more each day.

How to Turn Fast Startup On or Off in Windows 11

Turning off Fast Startup does have its benefits, but how do you do it on Windows 11? Here's how.