Where Is the Windows Startup Folder?
Both Windows Startup folders, the Run commands that open them, and why an empty folder does not prove nothing launches at sign-in.
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Windows has two Startup folders. One launches shortcuts for your account only, the other launches shortcuts for everyone who signs in to the PC. Each is an ordinary folder, and whatever you drop in it runs at sign-in.
Win+R then shell:startup opens yours, and shell:common startup opens the shared one. The contents are plain shortcuts or small scripts, which makes this the simplest place to add or remove something from the sign-in sequence.
The catch: the folder is only one of several places Windows launches things from. Task Manager's Startup apps tab is the honest list of what is enabled, including entries that were never in either folder.
Where Windows stores this, by platform
C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
Open it with Win+R and shell:startup, or paste the full path into the File Explorer address bar. Items here are shortcuts, .bat files or .vbs files that run when you sign in, and dragging a shortcut in is the whole setup. Changing this folder needs no admin rights.
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
Open it with Win+R and shell:common startup. Every account on the PC runs whatever is here, which is why installers put updaters and helpers in it, and adding or removing items needs admin rights. An empty folder in either place proves nothing: plenty of programs register through the Run registry keys (HKCU and HKLM Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run) or scheduled tasks instead, and Task Manager's Startup apps tab lists those alongside folder entries, with a disabled column covering items that are switched off entirely.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the startup folder in Windows 11?
For your account: C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. For all users: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. Win+R and shell:startup opens the first one instantly, no typing of paths needed.
Why is my startup folder empty but programs still start?
Most programs register in the Run registry keys under HKCU or HKLM instead of the folder, and others use Task Scheduler. Task Manager's Startup apps tab lists all of them with their source, so use that rather than the folder to see the real picture.
How do I stop a program from running at startup?
Open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc, go to the Startup apps tab and set the entry to Disable. That works for registry entries and folder shortcuts alike, and unlike deleting the shortcut it is reversible with one click.
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