File Explorer will open the global Startup directory ( C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp ). How to Add Programs to the Startup Folder
You can quickly open your personal or system-wide startup folders using these "Run" commands (Win + R): Current User shell:startup — Only affects your account. shell:common startup — Affects every user who logs into the PC. Pro-Tips for Optimization Avoid "Startup Delay"
exclusive startup folder for the current user in Windows 11 can be accessed by using the Run command [29, 34, 38]: Shortcut Command Windows Key + R shell:startup , and press [23, 29, 35]. Direct Path
Windows 11 actually uses two different startup folders depending on whether you want an app to launch for just yourself or for every user on the PC.
+-------------------------------------------------------------+ | [Win + R] --> Type "shell:startup" --> Press Enter | +-------------------------------------------------------------+ | v +-------------------------------------------------------------+ | File Explorer opens directly to your exclusive Startup folder| +-------------------------------------------------------------+ Step-by-Step Manual Navigation: windows 11 autostart folder exclusive
Option B — Batch wrapper (lockfile-based, simple)
This directory handles applications that launch exclusively for the account currently logged in.
Programs placed here launch automatically for every single user profile created on the machine. This requires administrator privileges to modify. How to Access the Windows 11 Startup Folder
You can put more than just apps in the Autostart folder. If you check your email first thing every morning: File Explorer will open the global Startup directory
), or specific file to open immediately upon login by simply dropping a shortcut into the folder. Ease of Management
Press on your keyboard to open the Run dialog. Type shell:startup into the text box. Click OK or press Enter .
Troubleshooting: What to Do If Startup Items Aren't Launching
If you find that your PC is slow to start, you might have too many items in this folder. Open the folder again using shell:startup . or Move the shortcut out of this folder. The program will no longer launch automatically. 4. Why Use the Startup Folder Instead of Task Manager? Programs placed here launch automatically for every single
| Folder Type | Shell Command | Full Path Example | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | shell:startup | C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup | | All Users (Shared) | shell:common startup | C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp |
In Windows 11, the "exclusive" autostart folder is a directory where you can place shortcuts for applications you want to launch automatically only when logs in. 1. How to Access It
Right-click the application file and select , then click Create shortcut .