How to Add Programs to Startup in Windows 10
In Windows 10, adding programs to the startup list can help streamline your daily tasks by automatically launching the applications you use most frequently. This guide will walk you through the steps to add programs to the startup list, ensuring that your favorite applications are ready to go when you boot up your computer.
Step 1: Open Task Manager
To begin, you need to open Task Manager. There are several ways to do this:
1. Press `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` to open Task Manager directly.
2. Right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager” from the menu.
3. Press `Windows + X` and choose “Task Manager” from the menu that appears.
Step 2: Navigate to the Startup Tab
Once Task Manager is open, click on the “Startup” tab. This tab displays a list of all the programs that are set to run automatically when you start your computer.
Step 3: Add a Program to Startup
To add a program to the startup list, follow these steps:
1. Click on the “Open File Location” button next to the program you want to add. This will open the folder where the program is installed.
2. Find the executable file for the program you want to add. This is usually a file with an extension like `.exe`.
3. Right-click on the executable file and select “Create shortcut” from the menu.
4. In the “Create Shortcut” window, click “Next.”
5. In the “Name” field, you can change the name of the shortcut if you like. Then, click “Finish.”
6. Right-click on the newly created shortcut and select “Properties” from the menu.
7. In the “Shortcut” tab, click “Change” next to the “Target” field.
8. In the “Target” field, navigate to the location of the program’s executable file. This is usually found in the folder where the program is installed.
9. Add the full path to the executable file to the end of the existing target string, separated by a space. For example, if the executable file is located at `C:\Program Files\My Program\my_program.exe`, you would enter `C:\Program Files\My Program\my_program.exe` in the “Target” field.
10. Click “OK” to save the changes.
Step 4: Enable the Program to Run at Startup
Now that you have added the program to the startup list, you need to enable it to run at startup:
1. Go back to the “Startup” tab in Task Manager.
2. Right-click on the program you just added and select “Enable” from the menu.
The program should now be set to run at startup. The next time you restart your computer, the program will automatically launch.
Step 5: Manage Startup Programs
If you ever need to remove a program from the startup list, follow these steps:
1. In the “Startup” tab of Task Manager, right-click on the program you want to remove and select “Disable” from the menu.
By managing your startup programs, you can ensure that your computer starts up quickly and efficiently, with only the applications you need running in the background.
