Add Application To Startup Windows 11 [best] | 2026 Edition |

Every second counts when you boot up your PC. Wouldn’t it be great if your essential tools—your email client, browser, or project management software—opened automatically the moment you log in? In Windows 11, managing startup applications is the key to a seamless, productive workflow.

Now go ahead—take control of your Windows 11 login experience. Happy booting add application to startup windows 11

Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type the following command and hit Enter: Every second counts when you boot up your PC

Open the Start Menu and drag the app’s icon directly from the Start Menu list into the Startup folder. You’ll see a "Link" tooltip appear—just drop it there. Now go ahead—take control of your Windows 11

Press Windows + S , type "Task Scheduler," and click to open it.

shell:startup A File Explorer window will pop open. This is the special "Startup" folder for your user account. Any shortcut placed here will run when you log into Windows.

That’s it! The next time you restart your PC, the application will launch automatically. Need the app to run with administrator privileges, with a delay, or before you log in? The Task Scheduler is your powerhouse tool.