Managing the List of Apps That Launch Automatically Upon Startup on Your Computer
Managing the apps that start up when you open Windows can be considered more of an art than a science. You'll want to disable heavy apps that slow down your PC's startup time, but it's also important to allow useful tools like LocalSend, your default browser, or a screenshot tool like ShareX to be ready as soon as you turn on your computer.
There are also hidden services and apps that Windows 11 automatically loads for new users, so be sure to check out our guide on using the Autoruns app for a more comprehensive understanding of your options.
Enabling or Disabling Startup Apps With Task Manager
One of the simplest methods for managing startup apps is through Task Manager. Here, you'll also be able to see if an app is significantly slowing down your computer's boot time.
To access Task Manager, right-click on an empty spot on the taskbar and select "Task Manager." In Windows 11, navigate to the "Startup apps" section in the sidebar (in Windows 10, go to the "Startup" tab). Here, you'll find a list of all the apps that start up automatically when you turn on your PC, along with an estimate of the amount of processing power they consume. You'll also see Windows processes - only disable these if you're confident in your actions. To enable or disable an app from starting up when you turn on your computer, right-click and choose the "Enable" or "Disable" option. And that's it!
Credit: Khamosh Pathak
Enabling or Disabling Startup Apps Via the Windows Settings App
Alternatively, you can perform the same tasks using the Windows Settings app. For both Windows 10 and Windows 11, head to "Settings > Apps > Startup." You'll see a list of all supported apps in this section. From the top, you can sort the apps by their status or the impact they have on your startup time. Each app has a switch next to it, allowing you to simply turn the app on or off to change its startup status.
Your changes will apply the next time you start up your computer.
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In the process of managing startup apps, it's crucial to consider disabling heavy tech applications that contribute to prolonging the PC's startup time. Furthermore, ensure that essential tools like your default browser or screenshot tools like ShareX are enabled to launch automatically, enhancing your computer's functionality upon startup.
If you're using Task Manager to manage your startup apps, be aware that you can easily enable or disable apps in the "Startup apps" section, then observe their impact on boot time.
