Windows 10 need to run a set of services and processes to start your PC which enables you to browse your files and run programs. Windows 10 default startup programs are consist of Windows Defender, Update Services, Configuring Drivers, and also launch the apps from the Startup Folder.
Programs are stored in the Startup Folder when they first time get installed on your system or moved by users. This list will also differ for different users on your system and the administrator. Each user on Windows 10 can keep and remove his own Programs in the Startup Folder.
You can also configure the Startup Programs by going into the Task Manager. Some of the apps are synced between the Task Manager and the Startup Folder, whereas some of them only appear either in the Folder or the Task Manager.
All sorts of Programs can be added to the folder, including Software, Chrome, Skype, Media Player, File Explorer, and your own compiled scripts. This folder usually contains shortcuts to their executable file then the whole program. Never install the program directly to the Startup Folder, rather just paste its shortcut to the folder.
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Windows 10 Startup Folder Location for All Users
Startup Folder path and location varies for Administrator and other users on Windows 10. An Administrator folder is also considered for all users, its programs will get executed if a folder isn’t set up for a user. So it’s important to know all the information about the startup folder location or path for all users but first let’s navigate to its folder for an admin.
Launch the File Explorer and locate your system directory where you have installed the Windows. It’s a C drive for most of the users. Then open the hidden ProgramData folder. You can unhide the directory by clicking on the View in the top menu and tick mark the view Hidden items box. Once you are in the ProgramData folder then scroll down to find the Microsoft folder then tap on the Windows directory. Then navigate to the Start Menu, Programs, and finally to the Startup folder. Below is the full path location of the Startup Folder for Administrator.
C:/ProgramData/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu/Programs/StartUp
Now let’s navigate to the folder for the specific or logged-in user. First of all, you have to go to your personal directory where your all documents, videos, pictures, and desktop files are saved. Suppose if your username is Juned then your personal directory will be at the C:/Users/Juned location. Once you are in your folder then navigate from AppData to the Roaming folder. Then you have to traverse to the Startup folder as you did earlier from the Microsoft to Windows, Start Menu, Programs, and to the Startup Folder.
C:/Users/USERNAME/ProgramData/Microsoft/Windows/Start Menu/Programs/StartUp
Replace the USERNAME with your name on the system.
If you are not able to locate properly then apply the RUN dialog shortcut. Type and enter the shell:common startup for the Admin and shell: startup for the logged-in user.
Remove All the Program from the Startup Folder
Now, once you are in the Startup folder on Windows 10 then you must be in hurry to delete all the listed shortcuts. Some questions may also arrive by seeing the various shortcuts such as removing them will affect the Windows System files or not, do you need to delete only a few of them, or they really make an impact on your system.
Shortcuts in this folder are basically added by the program themselves or by the users. No system services or processes are anyway linked to this program. Even removing all of them won’t create problems with Windows boot.
Well, it’s also important to know the consequences before deleting all of them. Let’s start with the basics when the Startup Program boots up with Windows. Multiple Startup Programs will acquire more resources of your system will immediately start even before you see your desktop screen. The program may launch its own Window or may run in the background by hiding its icon in the system tray. Their processes CPU, Disk, and Memory usage can be observed in the Task Manager.
You might need an important Chrome App to run on the Startup to immediately get you to the work, Zoom to conduct the daily meetings, Steam to keep your games ready, or OBS to start with the Video Rendering. The most used apps will differ for the different users but most users might not need them on the startup. So select apps or program shortcuts according to your use. I prefer Chrome to launch on the Startup to get straight to manage the EasyWebFixes.
First, open the Startup folder of the logged-in user. Launch the RUN dialog by pressing Windows + R key and enter shell: startup in the box. It will open the Startup Folder specific to your User, Select all the programs (Ctrl + A), and tap the Delete key on your keyboard.
You can also delete the startup program of all users by logging into your administrator account. Then enter shell: common startup into the RUN dialog, and delete all the listed programs.
Disable Startup Program from the Task Manager
Windows has also included the Startup tab in the Task Manager to enable or disable the installed program on your Windows. By default, all the new programs are added to the list by Windows. Programs are enabled or disabled based on the installation instructions to the operating system. This list is properly synched between the startup folder but sometimes it mismatches. No worries if these programs aren’t matching with a list as we will configure them from the Task Manager itself.
Take your mouse cursor to the Task Bar, press the right-click, and launch the Task Manager. Tap on the Startup tab from the top menu. Sort the Status column to see all the programs with the Enabled status. Select the program and Disable them one by one by clicking on the button in the bottom-right corner. You can also analyze the Startup impact of apps on your system.
Add Programs to the Startup Folder
You can directly enable the program to launch on the startup from the Task Manager itself but what if your program doesn’t appear in the list or if you want to add your custom script to the list. You need to add the shortcut of the app or your custom script to the user-specific startup folder.
Suppose you want to add Chrome to the Startup Folder. First, create its shortcut on the desktop from the start menu. Search for Chrome in the Start Menu, click the right key, and open the file location. Click right on the selected file and take your mouse cursor on the Sent to option and create a shortcut on the desktop. Now go to your desktop to copy or move it to the Startup folder. You can also copy and paste the custom script shortcut to the folder. That’s it, restart your PC to let Chome boot on the Startup.