Some Windows apps are set up to start automatically when Windows starts up. However, by placing it in the Windows “Startup” folder, you can make any app, file, or folder start with Windows.
Some apps have a built-in setting for this, but if they don’t, you’ll need to use this method. You can also make any file or folder open automatically when Windows starts, just in case you use it frequently. Simply create a shortcut to whatever you want to start in the “Startup” folder, which is one of Windows’ hidden system folders. This method will work with almost any version of Windows, starting with Vista and ending with Windows 7, 8, and 10.
Step-by-Step
- Select the Start button and scroll through the list of apps to find the one you want to run at startup.
- Right-click the app, select More and then Open file location from the drop-down menu. This takes you to the location where the app’s shortcut is saved. If there isn’t an option for Open file location, the app won’t start at all.
- Press the Windows logo key + R, type shell:startup, and then select OK while the file location is open. This will bring up the Startup folder.
- Copy and paste the app’s shortcut to the Startup folder from the file location.
