How to Manage Windows 10 Startup Programs-Computer Solution

Windows 10 is a series of personal computer operating systems produced by Microsoft as part of its Windows NT family of operating systems. It is the successor to Windows 8.1, and was released to manufacturing on July 15, 2015, and to retail on July 29, 2015. 

Windows 10 receives new builds on an ongoing basis, which are available at no additional cost to users. Mainstream builds of Windows 10 are labeled version YYMM with YY representing the year and MM representing the month of release. For example, the latest mainstream build of Windows 10 is Version 1809. 

There are additional test builds of Windows 10 available to Windows Insiders. Devices in enterprise environments can receive these updates at a slower pace, or use long-term support milestones that only receive critical updates, such as security patches, over their ten-year lifespan of extended support.

One of Windows 10's most notable features is support for universal apps, an expansion of the Metro-style apps first introduced in Windows 8. Universal apps can be designed to run across multiple Microsoft product families with nearly identical code‍—‌including PCs, tablets, smartphones, embedded systems, Xbox One, Surface Hub and Mixed Reality. 

The Windows user interface was revised to handle transitions between a mouse-oriented interface and a touchscreen-optimized interface based on available input devices‍—‌particularly on 2-in-1 PCs, both interfaces include an updated Start menu which incorporates elements of Windows 7's traditional Start menu with the tiles of Windows 8. Windows 10 also introduced the Microsoft Edge web browser, a virtual desktop system, a window and desktop management feature called Task View, support for fingerprint and face recognition login, new security features for enterprise environments, and DirectX 12.

Windows 10 received mostly positive reviews upon its original release in July 2015. Critics praised Microsoft's decision to provide a desktop-oriented interface in line with previous versions of Windows, contrasting the tablet-oriented approach of 8, although Windows 10's touch-oriented user interface mode was criticized for containing regressions upon the touch-oriented interface of Windows 8. 

Critics also praised the improvements to Windows 10's bundled software over Windows 8.1, Xbox Live integration, as well as the functionality and capabilities of the Cortana personal assistant and the replacement of Internet Explorer with Microsoft Edge. However, media outlets have been critical of changes to operating system behaviors, including mandatory update installation, privacy concerns over data collection performed by the OS for Microsoft and its partners and the adware-like tactics used to promote the operating system on its release

How to Manage Windows 10 Startup Programs

You wish that you can launch your favorite few programs the moment your Windows starts up? You can actually choose to launch only the programs, files or folders you want and at the same time you can also disable third-party programs that automatically launch their applications.

Not only does this save you from the drudgery of waiting your apps to load, but you can hit the ground running with all your favorite apps from the get go. Let’s take a look at how you can customize which apps to launch and which ones to disable upon startup.

Launch Programs With Windows Startup

Let’s start with adding programs to startup with Windows automatically. Below are two methods you can use to make programs or files launch when Windows startup.

Method 1: Add Items in the Startup Folder

Windows has a startup folder that can be used to launch any type of executable program or file.

Anything that goes into the startup folder is set to launch when Windows start. So whether you want to launch the document you are working on or open your favorite browser automatically when Windows start, simply move its shortcut to this startup folder.

The easiest way to access the startup folder is to press Windows + R keys and type "shell:startup" in the "Run" dialog. The startup folder will open up when you will click on "OK".

Although you can also move the actual executable file (program launching file) to the startup folder, but this will remove quick access to the program. You can also "Copy" (Ctrl + C) the file or program executable file and paste it in the startup folder. However, this will create a copy of the file with the same size as the original.

Creating a shortcut is a better option than either of the two. To create a shortcut: right-click on the executable file of the program and select "Create shortcut"from the context menu.

Cut and paste the shortcut into the startup folder and you’re good to go. This works will all types of files, folders, scripts or program executable files.

Note: This will only apply to the current user. If there are multiple users and you want to apply same settings for all the users, then you will have to move the shortcut to a different startup folder.

The command to this startup folder is shell:common startup". Enter this in the "Run" dialog to access this folder.

Method 2: Use Windows Registry to Startup Programs with Windows

Apart from Method 1, you can also customize your Startup Programs list with the Windows registry. The problem is it is not as easy as Method 1, and secondly, messing with the registry could corrupt your Windows.

Proceed with caution and remember to create a backup of registry just to be sure: press Windows + R keys and type "regedit" in the "Run" dialog to open the registry editor.

Then move to the below mentioned location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Here right-click on the "Run" entry and select "String Value" from the "New"option.

A new string will be created in the right panel. Give it a name so you could easily identify it, there is no restriction on what name you can use.

Now you need to enter the exact directory of the program or file that you want to launch at Windows startup as the string value.

Go to the exact location of the program or file in the File Explorer and copy the location directory from the bar above.

Double-click on the new string you created in the registry and paste this directory as string value.

After that, add a backward slash (\) and enter the exact name of the file or program’s executable file; including the extension name if available (the part after the dot at the end).

Now add quotes at the start and end of the whole string and the value will be complete.

The string value should look something like this: “C:\Program Files\Opera\launcher”.

Now close the registry and this program or file will launch as soon as the Windows start.

Disable Startup Programs

Now that you know how to make programs start with Windows, lets see how you can stop programs from starting up with Windows.

Method 1: Use Startup Manager in Windows

Windows has a built-in Startup manager that lists all the programs that are set to start with Windows.

In Windows 8 and above, you will find it in the Task Manager. In the older version of Windows, it’s in the "System configuration" options that you can access by entering "msconfig" in the "Run" dialog.

To access the task manager, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys. Here move to the "Startup" tab and you will see all the startup programs; both added by you and third-party apps.

Simply right-click on the ones that you would like to disable and select disable from the menu. That’s it, the program or file will be stopped from starting along with Windows.

Method 2: Use Autoruns Application

The built-in startup manager should work fine for most Windows users, but if you want more control and details then a third-party app will be useful. For this purpose, Autoruns can inform you about which programs or files that are set to startup with Windows.

Note: I do not recommend novice users messing around with this application as it also lists Windows system files that startup with Windows. Disabling an important system file may prevent Windows from starting.

As soon as you launch the program, you will see all the startup programs and files along with their exact location in the system or Windows registry.

From the "Options" menu above, you can hide all the Microsoft and Windows entries to only see entries made my third-party programs.

This make the process safer as you will know that you are not messing around with important Windows files. Simply uncheck the checkbox next to each item to disable it.

Wrapping Up

Starting important programs with Windows is a great way to be more productive. However make sure you don’t go overboard and add dozens of programs to start with Windows. This will increase the total boot time as Windows need to process these items during the boot time.

Furthermore, whenever you need to disable an added program/file, use the Windows startup manager instead of deleting its shortcut or entry.

Security and Privacy

When setting up a Windows 10 account, you can set up a local account without the need for a Microsoft account, but you lose many of the OS's best features if you do so. Many critics have nevertheless called out Microsoft for harvesting usage data by default, so the company has clarified privacy choices at setup. Moreover, a Privacy Dashboard lets you see and manage any data saved in your Microsoft account. For details, read Windows 10: How to Protect Your Privacy.

The October 2018 Update renames the Windows Defender Security Center to simply Windows Security. It also gets an added page showing third-party security software you've installed, made the Current Threats section more accessible, and lets you allow apps to access controlled folders (part of the system's ransomware protection).

IT staff can benefit from Windows 10's enhanced Windows DefenderAdvanced Threat Protection (Windows Defender ATP), which prevents and monitors new indicators of attacks. For consumers, the Defender Settings panel offers an option for protection against ransomware, with the Controlled folder access option. Windows Defender Application Guard protection is available to Windows 10 Pro users; this can stave off even sophisticated browser attacks. Windows Defender can schedule regular system scans and shows notifications about threats. As of the latest update, right-clicking Defender's system tray icon offers options to scan for viruses, update virus definitions, and more.