The Windows Startup folder is a handy feature that allows you to launch applications automatically when your computer starts up. It can be useful for streamlining your workflow and ensuring your preferred tools and programs are running as soon as you log in. Here’s everything you need to know about how to use the Windows Startup folder.

Accessing the Startup Folder

The Startup folder is located in the Start menu. Here’s how to access it:

1. Click the Start button in the lower-left corner of the taskbar.
2. In the Start menu, click on All Apps.
3. Open the Windows System folder.
4. Under the Windows System folder, click on File Explorer.
5. In File Explorer, navigate to C:\Users\Your-Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.

Note that “Your-Username” should be replaced with your current username.

Adding Programs to the Startup Folder

Once you locate the Startup folder, adding programs to it is easy. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Startup folder in File Explorer.
2. Drag and drop the shortcut of the program you want to run on startup into the folder.
3. You can also right-click the program’s .exe file and select “Create shortcut.” Then, drag the shortcut into the folder.

Removing Programs from the Startup Folder

Removing programs from the Startup folder is just as simple. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Startup folder in File Explorer.
2. Right-click on the program you want to remove and select “Delete.”
3. Alternatively, you can select the program and press the Delete key on your keyboard.

Additional Tips for Using the Startup Folder

– To prevent a program from starting up automatically, simply remove its shortcut from the Startup folder.

– Be careful not to overload the Startup folder. Having too many programs launch on startup can slow down your computer’s performance.

– If you can’t find the Startup folder in File Explorer, you can also access it by typing “shell:startup” into the Windows search bar at the bottom of the screen.