How to Find the Windows 11 Startup Folder (3 Methods)

February 15, 2023

Along with unlocking Windows 11, we also recommend a number of system changes that can improve the performance of your PC. One of them is disabling startup programs for fast loading and no delay after login. While you can easily disable startup applications from the Task Manager or Windows Settings, what if you want to add your favorite programs to the list of startup applications? That's where the "Startup" folder appears. By following our guide, you can find the Windows 11 startup folder and add shortcuts to the programs you want to start when your computer boots. So, without further ado, let's find out where the Windows 11 startup folder is located.

Find the Windows 11 Startup Folder (2022)

In this article, we have mentioned three different ways to access the startup folder in Windows 11. You can find the startup folder for both the current profile and for all users. However, let's dive right in.

Locate Windows 11 Startup Folder Using Run

The easiest way to find the Windows 11 startup folder is from the Run dialog box. You just need to run the command and you will be able to find the startup folder in Windows 11 in seconds. Here's how to do it.

1. First, use the Windows 11 keyboard shortcut “Windows + R” to open the Run window. Here type the below command and press Enter.

shell:startup

2. This will open the Startup folder on your Windows 11 PC. From here, you can add or remove shortcuts as per your preference.

3. Alternatively, you can paste the path below in the Run prompt to open the Startup folder in Windows 11.

%appdata%MicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartup

Locate the Windows 11 startup folder in File Explorer.

Now, many of you would like to know where is the startup folder in Windows 11. Well, if you want to manually navigate to the startup folder in Windows 11, you can use File Explorer. But before that, you need to enable hidden files in Windows 11. Here are the steps to follow.

1. Press "Windows + E" to open File Explorer. Here, click on the 3-dot menu in the title bar and select Options.

2. Then go to the "View" tab and select the "Show hidden files, folders and drives" radio button in the "Hidden files and folders" section. Now click "Apply" -> "OK".

3. After that, click on the down arrow on the left in the address bar and open your user profile. It is usually named after your PC name or username.

4. Next, open the "AppData" folder. It will be semi-transparent because it is usually hidden from normal users.

5. In the AppData folder, go to Microsoft -> Windows -> Start Menu -> Programs. Here you will find the "Startup" folder.

6. Open it and there you will find shortcuts to all the programs in the list of applications to launch Windows 11.

7. To summarize, the Windows 11 startup folder location is as follows. Here you need to replace the username with the username of your PC.

C:UsersusernameAppDataRoamingMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartup

Access to the Windows 11 startup folder for all users

The above two methods only find the startup folder for your current profile. However, sometimes applications install the program for all users, in which case the shortcuts are placed in a different startup folder. Here's how to find the "All Users" startup folder in Windows 11.

1. Use the keyboard shortcut "Windows + R" to open the "Run" window. Here type the below command and press Enter.

shell:common startup

2. This will instantly open the Startup folder for all Windows 11 users.

3. You can also paste the path below in the Run prompt and it will take you to the same startup folder.

%ProgramData%MicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartUp

4. Basically, this is the startup folder in Windows 11 for all users.

C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartUp

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where is the Startup folder in Windows 11?

You can find the Startup folder in Windows 11 by following this path. You need to paste it into the address bar of File Explorer.

C:UsersusernameAppDataRoamingMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartup.

How to find the "Startup" folder from "Run"?

You can simply type shell:startup in the Run box and press Enter. This will take you directly to the startup folder in Windows 11.

How to add programs to startup in Windows 11?

Open the Startup folder by following our guide and then paste the programs shortcut into the Startup folder. Programs in the Startup folder automatically run after you log in.

Where is the startup folder for all users in Windows 11?

The startup folder for all Windows 11 users is located here: C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartUp.

Configuring programs from the Windows 11 startup folder

Here's how you can find the Startup folder in Windows 11. From the Startup folder, you can remove and add shortcuts to programs if you want them to start when your computer boots. However, this is all from us. If you want to automate tasks in Windows using the Task Scheduler, check out our detailed guide at the link here. In addition, you can disable startup programs and speed up Windows 11 by following our guide. Finally, if you have any questions, please let us know in the comments section below.