It’s nice to log on to your computer and your favorite programs will automatically open, ready to go and waiting for you. This is the job of the Windows startup folder.
What if your programs no longer open automatically? How to fix if Windows 10 startup folder is not working?
What is the startup folder?
The Windows Startup folder is the directory that stores the shortcuts for programs that you want to automatically open. Windows checks this folder every time it starts up and starts all programs that have shortcuts. Each user has a startup folder on the computer, as well as a system startup folder that applies to all users.
Why isn’t the Windows 10 startup folder working?
The reason why your Startup folder might not work can be one of several reasons that we will look at later. Before you go any further, understand that the programs you’ve configured to start at startup will be the last thing Windows starts. Windows starts several operations in the following order:
- Critical Windows Processes
- Services and System Tasks
- Programs in Startup Folders
- Click File.
- Click Capture Settings. …
- Make sure the box next to “Start Snagit at Windows Startup” is checked.
- Click OK to confirm the change.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to quickly open Task Manager.
- Click the Startup tab.
- Check which programs you want to open at startup and make sure they are enabled. If not, select the program and click the “Enable” button.
- Press Winkey + R to open the Run command utility.
- Enter the command for any startup folder – shell: startup
- Check if there is a shortcut to the program you want open at startup. If it is not there, go to the instructions on How to add a program to your startup folder.
- If there is a shortcut, double-click it to see if it opens the program. If it doesn’t, the problem might be with the shortcut. Try to recreate the shortcut and add it to your startup folder again.
- Create a shortcut to the program executable.
- Press Winkey + R to open the Run command utility.
- Type the command for any startup folder (shell: startup) or system startup folder (shell: general startup) and press enter. The startup folder will open.
- Copy the shortcut to your startup folder. You must be an administrator to do this with the system startup folder.
- Press Winkey + R to open the Run command window.
- Type regedit and press Enter.
- Go to each key location below and make sure they have the correct data values.
- Press Winkey + R to open the Run command window.
- Type regedit and press Enter.
- For your account, go to
- Right-click and select New> String Value.
- Enter the path to the executable file of the application that you want to start at startup. For Outlook, this is “C: Program Files Microsoft Office root Office16 OUTLOOK.EXE”. Click OK.
So it is possible that your launchers are not starting up as fast as you would like. Be patient. If a critical Windows process, service, or system task hangs at startup, it may take a minute for your program to start. If there are many programs in the startup folder, it may take even longer.
If it still won’t start, try the following. Remember to restart Windows after each troubleshooting tip to make sure the Startup folder is working again.
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Check if the program is running
Sometimes it’s as easy as not running the program. You can’t run a program that doesn’t work. So try opening it the normal way and see what happens. If it does not open, or gives error messages when you open it, review these error messages. It can be easier and faster to repair or reinstall the program
Check Program Settings
Many programs will be able to open when Windows starts Check this setting in the program and make sure it is selected. For this example we will be using Snagit 2020 The steps for other programs may be completely different, but try anyway.
Check Startup Manager in Task Manager
Perhaps the reason your programs won’t start at startup is because they can’t. Use Windows Task Manager to quickly check.
Check Startup Folder
You need to know two startup folders. Every user on your computer has a startup folder. Then there is another one that will apply to all users of the computer. Check the one that suits your situation.
To check startup folders:
Or the system startup folder – shell: common startup
and press enter. The startup folder will open. Your folder is located at
C: Users YourUserName AppData Roaming Microsoft Windows Start Menu Programs Startup.
The system startup folder is located at
C: ProgramData Microsoft Windows Start Menu Programs StartUp
How to add a program to the startup folder:
Turn off UAC for a specific application
Perhaps the program you want to run requires administrator rights. Usually a UAC window appears asking if you want to run the program. If UAC doesn’t appear and the program won’t launch, read our article on how to disable UAC for this program only.
Check registry keys for startup folders
Sometimes registry keys get corrupted or go missing So check your Windows Registry to see if the correct keys are there and if they have the correct values. The Windows registry is a place where a lot of damage can happen if you’re not very careful. If you are uncomfortable working in the registry, do not do this. Be sure to back up the registry before making any changes. It can help you keep your Windows installation.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER SOFTWARE Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Explorer Custom Shell Folders
Startup key must have data value:
% USERPROFILE% AppData Roaming Microsoft Windows Start Menu Programs Startup
HKEY_CURRENT_USER SOFTWARE Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Explorer Shell Folders
At startup, the data value must be specified:
C: Users User AppData Roaming Microsoft Windows Start Menu Programs Startup
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Explorer Shell Folders
Shared Startup must have data value:
C: ProgramData Microsoft Windows Start Menu Programs Startup
Enter the application file path directly into the registry
A slightly more radical approach is to inject the application directly into the registry key that determines which programs are launched at startup. Don’t forget to back up your registry first! We’ll use Outlook as an example for this tip.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER SOFTWARE Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Run
For all accounts, navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Software Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Run
Startup folder still not working?
At this point, you will need to try to either repair, update Windows, or completely reinstall Windows. Or decide if you need to open this application at startup or not.
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