Direct Windows to automatically start those programs you use every day or always desire to have open and running. Learn how to add a program to the Windows startup queue to ensure that it's instantly available when you start your computing day.
- [Instructor] What's the first thing you do … when you start your computer? … Do you check email? … Visit a favorite website? … Load your spreadsheet? … Regardless of the task you can configure Windows … to automatically run a program when it first starts. … After all it's a computer … and it's designed to save you time. … The key is to place a shortcut … to the program or file you want to run … into the Startup folder. … And I bet you didn't know this folder existed but it does. … To view it, press the Windows + R keyboard shortcut … and type shell;startup, … all one word, just like that. … A file Explorer window opens … listing the contents of the Startup folder. … This one is empty. … To add a program to the folder, … you can type another secret command, … press the Windows + R keyboard shortcut … and type shellAppsFolder, … all one word capital A, capital F. … This folder lists all the programs … or applications installed on this PC. … To start a program automatically, … drag its icon say Excel over to the Startup folder. …
Author
Dan Gookin
Updated
2/24/2021Released
9/5/2018Skill Level Beginner
Duration
Views
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Operating System
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Dealing with a bad sign-in2m 39s
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Doing a Windows checkup2m 45s
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Recovering a deleted file2m 54s
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Locating a lost file2m 34s
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Rolling back an update2m 17s
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Fixing a full hard drive4m 28s
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Controlling the taskbar2m 55s
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Speeding up a slow computer2m 48s
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Uninstalling software1m 40s
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Mapping a network drive2m 48s
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Managing desktop icons3m 12s
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Configuring system updates2m 13s
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Formatting media2m 22s
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Setting laptop power options3m 43s
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Renaming a group of files1m 41s
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Networking
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Finding the PC's IP address2m 46s
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Reviewing network layout2m 23s
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Managing Wi-Fi networks2m 15s
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Restarting the network2m 18s
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Checking network privacy1m 56s
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Sharing a folder2m 10s
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Updating the Wi-Fi password1m 18s
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Checking your internet speed1m 27s
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Mapping a network drive2m 42s
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Security
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Being password smart2m 37s
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Updating your password2m 14s
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Spotting a secure website2m 30s
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Clearing the browser history2m 40s
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Running Windows Defender1m 54s
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Hardware
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Microsoft Office
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Selecting another printer2m 19s
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Word: Centering a page2m 25s
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Word: Adding a page border2m 14s
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Word: Setting tab stops3m 4s
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Windows 10
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Creating a new task view2m 2s
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Changing AutoPlay behavior1m 23s
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Pruning recent file lists1m 44s
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Reviewing keyboard shortcuts2m 38s
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Configuring Windows 10 sync1m 56s
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Arranging windows1m 28s
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Using night light1m 53s
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Understanding Quick Access1m 40s
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Troubleshooting
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Checking the hardware1m 54s
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Using the Task Manager2m 11s
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Activating File History2m 16s
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Reviewing events2m 14s
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Setting a restore point2m 6s
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Using system restore1m 54s
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Laptop Assistance
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Preparing for a road trip2m 49s
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Going on the road3m 24s
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Entering tablet mode2m 21s
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Connecting to a projector2m 40s
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Protecting your laptop3m 16s
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Connecting to a VPN2m 7s
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Shortcuts and Time-Savers
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Pinning items to the taskbar2m 34s
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Adding the address bar2m 24s
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Changing file association2m 43s
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Recognizing USB colors3m 6s
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Images and Graphics
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Fixing a photo2m 26s
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Changing image file formats1m 46s
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PC Performance
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Understanding memory leaks2m 58s
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Stopping a stuck program2m 47s
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Adding a second hard drive3m 14s
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Adding more memory2m 55s
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Video: Launching a program at startup