Configure Startup Applications in Windows - Microsoft Support
While most users know how to add startup apps for themselves, many struggle to find the "All Users" startup folder—the hidden location that applies to every account on the PC.
Managing the in Windows 11 is a key task for system administrators and power users who need to ensure specific applications—like security tools, custom scripts, or shared utilities—launch automatically for everyone who logs into a computer . Quick Access Commands windows 11 startup folder all users
While this folder is convenient for manual control, many modern apps use Registry keys (like HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run ) or the Task Scheduler to start automatically. These will not appear in the Startup folder even though they launch at boot.
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup These will not appear in the Startup folder
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp
Administrator privileges are usually required to modify this folder. revealing the All Users Startup folder.
There are two primary ways to access this folder: using a quick command or navigating manually through File Explorer. 1. Use the "Run" Command (Fastest Method)
In this guide, we will show you exactly how to find and use the , as well as the difference between the "Current User" and "All User" folders.
A File Explorer window will open immediately, revealing the All Users Startup folder. You can now drag and drop shortcuts into this window.