How to Fix Startup Apps Not Launching on Startup in Windows 11

It’s annoying when programs you expect to start automatically don’t. Sometimes the culprit is a simple switch. Other times it’s a timing, permission, or configuration problem. Below is a practical, step-by-step article with quick checks and deeper fixes. Read the quick checklist first, then follow the detailed steps that match your situation.

Use Task Manager and Windows Settings

These two places are the primary Windows UI for autorun control.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift +Esc> Startup apps tab. If the app is Disabled, right-click and select Enable.

2. Press Win + I to open Settings> Apps> Startup: find and turn the app’s toggle On.

Check the Startup Folder Shortcut

Some apps and installers place shortcuts here in the Startup folder; if missing, Windows won’t start them.

1. Press Win + R and type shell:common startup.

2. If the app is not listed, go to the folder where the launcher (.exe file) for the problematic app is stored, copy and paste it to the Startup folder. 

Disable the UAC 

Some apps require administrative permission to load. If there is a problem with the UAC (User Account Control) and it doesn’t launch, this could lead to the Windows 11 startup folder not working. You can disable it by following this guide: How to Prevent the Annoying UAC Prompts from Popping up. 

Force the Elevated Program with Task Scheduler

Use Task Scheduler for elevated or delayed startup. If the app needs admin privileges or needs to start after network/services:

1. Click Start menu, type Task Scheduler to open, then click Create Task (not Basic Task).

2. Give it a name, like Run xxx on Startup, and check the boxes of Run only when the user is logged on and Run with Highest Privileges. 

3. In Actions: New> Start a program> browse to your app’s .exe. Then click OK. 

Add the Program to the Startup Using Registry

All settings for the Windows Native apps, as well as all third-party software, are present in the Registry. You can follow the steps to sort the Startup folder issue:

1. Press Win +R, type regedit to run. 

2. Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

3. Right-click on the space on the right and make a new String value entry. Name the string value as the program you want to run.

4. Edit the entry and set the value to the path to the Program’s executable file.

5. Click OK to save. Restart the PC for the changes to come into effect.

Good Practices and Tips

• For apps requiring elevation, prefer Task Scheduler over the Startup folder because UAC prevents automatic elevation during normal logon.
• Back up registry keys and create a system restore point before big changes.
• Make one change at a time and test so you know which action fixed the problem.

Conclusion 

To make a program run on startup in Windows 11, you can use Task Manager/ Settings, place a program shortcut in the Startup folder, use the Task Scheduler to run programs at startup, or set the program to run at Windows boot via the Registry.