How To Add Exe File To Startup Windows 11 Jun 2026

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Click OK to save the setting and then close the Registry Editor. Restart your computer for the change to take effect.

: Find the executable file you want to add.

Delete the string value you created.

Windows 11, like its predecessors, allows you to customize which applications launch automatically when you turn on your computer. Adding an .exe file (executable file) to the startup list can save you time, especially for apps you use daily, such as messaging platforms, security tools, or custom scripts.

Start with the Startup folder – it works for 90% of users. Then, as you become more comfortable, explore Task Scheduler to optimize boot performance with delays. Remember: a lean startup list equals a faster, more responsive PC.

Depending on whether you want the program to run only for your account or for all users on the computer, type one of the following commands into the Run box and press : For the current user only: shell:startup For all users on the PC: shell:common startup Step 4: Drop the shortcut into the folder how to add exe file to startup windows 11

Drag and drop (or copy and paste) the shortcut you created in step 1 into this shell:startup folder.

Double-click the new string value you just created. In the Value data field, enter the exact, absolute file path of your EXE file enclosed in quotation marks (e.g., "C:\Program Files\YourApp\app.exe" ). Click . How to Manage or Remove Startup Programs

Instead of an EXE, you can add a .bat , .cmd , .ps1 , or .vbs file using any of the methods above. Just point to the script file. For PowerShell scripts, you may need to adjust execution policies. This public link is valid for 7 days

To begin, the user must locate this folder. While there are two Startup folders (one for the current user and one for all users), the per-user folder is the safest and most common. The quickest way to access it is by pressing Windows + R to open the Run dialog box, typing shell:startup , and pressing Enter. This action opens File Explorer directly to C:\Users\[YourUserName]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup .

: Type shell:startup in the box and press Enter .