Windows users know that the Start folder is very important since it enables them to run programs and apps automatically while Windows is starting up. Microsoft allows users to open and manage the Startup folder (add or remove programs to Startup) according to needs. This page focuses on how to access Startup folder Windows 11.
About Windows 11 Startup Folder
Before talking about Windows 11 open Startup folder, I’d like to introduce the definition and location of the Startup folder.
What Is the Windows Startup Folder
The Startup folder in Windows is a folder named Startup; it is used to store a sets of shortcuts of programs that will run automatically when Windows operating system starts. By default, the Startup folder is hidden in File Explorer. But Windows users can access and customize it by adding or removing programs they want.
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Location of the Startup Folder in Windows 11
The default location of the Startup folder in Windows 11 is C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. You can open File Explorer and navigate to this path manually; also, there are other methods for Windows 11 access Startup folder without opening File Explorer.
#1. Windows 11 Open Startup Folder from File Explorer
First of all, make sure your system is set to show hidden files, folder, and drives.
- Open File Explorer by clicking on its icon in taskbar.
- Click on the See More icon (represented by three dots) in the upper right corner.
- Select Options from the menu.
- Locate the Advanced settings section in the Folder Options window.
- Go to Files and Folders -> Hidden files and folders and check Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
- Click Apply and OK.
How to Open the Startup Folder in Windows 11 File Explorer
Access the Startup folder for the currently logged-on user:
- Open File Explorer in the way you like.
- Click This PC in the left pane.
- Select your system drive (usually C:) in the right pane.
- Double click on Users and then open the folder with your username.
- Open App Data, Roaming, Microsoft, Windows, Start Menu, and Programs folders one by one.
- Now, you can see the Startup folder and finally access it.
What To Do When The New File Explorer Is Missing In Windows 11?
How to access Windows Startup folder directly?
You should open File Explorer -> copy and paste %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup or C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup into the address bar -> press Enter.
What if you need to open the Startup folder for all users of the computer?
Please open File Explorer -> copy and paste C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp into the address bar -> press Enter.
#2. Windows 11 Access Startup folder via Run
Step 1: Open Run
There are 3 common ways to open the Run window:
- You can open the Run dialog box by right clicking on Windows and selecting Run.
- Besides, you can press Windows + S and type Run to search for it.
- Also, you can press Windows + R to open Run directly.
Step 2: Go to Startup Folder
Please use the following Shell command or run commands to open Start folder for the currently logged-on user:
- Type shell:startup into the textbox and click OK.
- Type %appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup and press Enter.
- Type \users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup and press Enter.
What are the commands to open Start folder for all users?
- shell:common startup
- %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp
After that, you can add an item to or remove an item from the Startup folder on your Windows 11 PC.
How to add: right click on the blank area -> choose New -> select Shortcut -> click Browse -> navigate to the storage path of the program/app you want to add -> select the app -> click OK -> give it a name -> click Finish.
How to remove: right click on the item you don’t want in the Startup folder -> select Delete -> confirm your choice.