How to add startup programs in Windows

Windows sign-in can bring up the desktop programs you use every day. A shortcut in your Startup folder adds a program to the apps that Windows opens automatically for your account.

The current-user Startup folder affects only the account you are signed in to. It suits installed desktop apps that run without an administrator approval prompt, and adding a shortcut there does not require administrator rights.

Each extra startup program can slow sign-in or use resources in the background. The shortcut depends on the original program remaining installed at the same location, and deleting that shortcut later stops this startup entry without uninstalling the app.

1. Open Run with Windows+R.
2. Enter shell:startup in the Open field.
3. Select OK to open your current-user Startup folder.
4. Open the folder's background context menu with Shift+F10.
5. Open the New submenu.
6. Select Shortcut.
7. Enter the installed program's full executable path in Type the location of the item.

   For PuTTY installed in its default location, the value is "C:\Program Files\PuTTY\putty.exe". The quotation marks keep a path containing spaces together; another app needs its own executable path.

8. Select Next.
9. Enter a recognizable name in Type a name for this shortcut.
10. Select Finish to create the startup shortcut.
11. Confirm that the program appears in Startup with Type set to Shortcut.
12. Save any open work before restarting Windows.

    Restarting closes applications, so unsaved changes can be lost.

13. Show the desktop with Windows+D.
14. Open Shut Down Windows with Alt+F4.
15. Select Restart from the drop-down list.
16. Select OK to restart Windows.
17. Sign in to your Windows account if prompted.
18. Confirm that the program opens automatically on the desktop.

    The program should appear without opening it from Start or double-clicking its shortcut. For PuTTY, the initial window is PuTTY Configuration; other apps may show a main window or a notification-area icon.