For programs that do not appear in settings, you can manually add them to the Windows Registry. Press Windows Key + R , type regedit , and hit .
Click OK to save the setting and then close the Registry Editor. Restart your computer for the change to take effect.
You will see a list of apps that have requested to start automatically. Simply toggle the switch next to the app you want to On . how to add exe file to startup windows 11
Configure Startup Applications in Windows - Microsoft Support
The Startup folder is simple, but is the most powerful and reliable method available. It gives you granular control over how and when a program runs. This is the best choice for programs that require administrator privileges (bypassing the UAC prompt) or tasks that need to run with specific conditions, such as a slight delay. For programs that do not appear in settings,
On the Task Trigger screen, select or When I log on . Selecting "When I log on" is generally recommended for user-specific applications. Click Next . Step 5: Choose the Action Select Start a program and click Next . Step 6: Browse for Your EXE File
✅ The program will launch automatically when the user logs in. Restart your computer for the change to take effect
It can take a few moments or a restart. Also, some very old EXEs may not be recognized. But the app will still run – the Settings list is just a convenience.
[Locate .exe File] ➔ [Create Shortcut] ➔ [Open shell:startup] ➔ [Paste Shortcut] Step 1: Locate the EXE and Create a Shortcut Open by pressing Win + E . Navigate to the folder containing your target .exe file.
Type shell:startup into the text field and press or click OK .