How to Enable or Disable Startup Programs on Windows 11

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How to Enable or Disable Startup Programs on Windows 11
Control which programs launch automatically when your computer starts to improve boot speed and system performance.
📋 Before You Begin
Make sure you are signed in with your NEO A&M College account. Some startup entries may be managed by IT policy — contact the Help Desk if you cannot modify a program. Changes take effect after your next restart.
1. Manage Startup Programs via Task Manager
⏱ ~2 minutes
Task Manager is the fastest way to view and control startup programs.
1
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Task Manager directly.
2
In the left sidebar, click Startup apps.
3
Browse the list. The Status column shows Enabled or Disabled for each program.
4
Right-click the program you want to change and select Enable or Disable.
5
Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
💡 Tip
The Startup impact column (Low, Medium, High) shows how much each program slows down your boot time. Disabling "High" impact programs you don't use can significantly speed up startup.
2. Manage Startup Programs via the Settings App
⏱ ~2 minutes
You can also manage startup programs from the Windows Settings app.
1
Click the Start button and open Settings (the gear icon).
2
In the left sidebar, click Apps.
3
Click Startup from the Apps submenu.
4
Use the toggle switch next to each program to turn it On (enabled) or Off (disabled).
5
Restart your computer to apply the changes.
⚠️ Warning
Avoid disabling programs you don't recognize — some startup entries are required for security software (antivirus) or hardware drivers to function correctly.
3. Add a Program to the Startup Folder
⏱ ~3 minutes
If a program doesn't appear in Task Manager's startup list, you can manually add it to the Windows Startup folder.
1
Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
2
Type shell:startup and press Enter. This opens the Startup folder in File Explorer.
3
Find the program's shortcut or executable. Right-click it in File Explorer and select Create shortcut.
4
Move or copy the shortcut into the Startup folder that was opened in step 2.
5
Restart your computer — the program will now launch automatically at login.
💡 Tip
To remove a program from the Startup folder, simply delete its shortcut from the shell:startup folder. This will prevent it from launching at boot without uninstalling the program.
🙋 Still Need Help?
If you're having trouble managing startup programs or aren't sure which programs are safe to disable, our IT team is ready to help.
📞 Phone: (918) 540-6099
📧 Email: neosuport@neo.edu
🚶 Walk-in: IT Department, Library Administration, 2nd Floor, Room 216
🕐 Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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