5 Ways to Fix Startup Programs Not Launching on Windows 10 or 11

Quick Tips

• Run SFC and DISM scans to repair corrupt or damaged system files that may prevent your apps from running at startup.
• Consider creating a batch file or using the Registry Editor to configure apps to run at startup.
• If a specific app fails to run at startup, reinstall it on your PC.

Try Basic Fixes

• Install Windows updates: A buggy or outdated Windows build could cause such issues. Hence, install any pending Windows updates first.
• Reinstall the program: If you face this issue with a specific app or program, consider uninstalling and reinstalling it on your PC.

Fix 1: Check Task Manager

This may seem obvious, but it’s essential to ensure that your app or program is configured to run at startup. Here’s how to check.

Step 1: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager. Switch to the Startup apps tab and ensure your program’s status reads Enabled.

Step 2: If your program has a Disabled status, select it and click Enable at the top.

Fix 2: Run SFC and DISM Scans

Corrupted or damaged system files on your PC can prevent programs from running at startup. If that’s the case, running the SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) scans should help.

Step 1: Right-click the Start icon > select Terminal (Admin) from the list.

Step 2: In the console, type the following command and press Enter.

SFC /scannow

Step 3: Run the following commands one by one and press Enter after each to run the DISM scan:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Restart your PC after the scan is complete and check if the issue persists.

Fix 3: Turn off User Account Control

Some apps and programs on Windows require administrative permissions every time you run them. If the issue is related to one of these programs, try disabling the UAC (User Account Control) feature to see if that helps.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + S to open the search menu. Type change user account control settings in the box and hit Enter.

Step 2: Move the slider to Never notify and click OK to save changes.

Restart your PC and see if the program launches at startup.

Fix 4: Create a Batch File to Launch Programs

If your apps still won’t run at startup, create a batch file containing the file paths of all the programs you’d like to launch. To do so, use these steps:

Step 1: Open File Explorer > fetch the EXE file of the program you wish to launch at startup. Right-click on it and select Copy as path.

Step 2: Right-click anywhere on the desktop and go to New > Text Document.

Step 2: In the notepad window, paste the command given below.

@echo off FilePath Exit

Note: Replace FilePath in the above command with the path of the program copied earlier.

Step 3: Press Ctrl + Shift + S to open the Save As dialog. Save the file with the .bat extension instead of the .txt extension.

Step 4: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type shell:startup and hit Enter.

Step 5: Move your newly created batch file to the Startup folder.

Fix 5: Add Program to Startup via Registry

If nothing else works, modify a few registry files to configure Windows to run your program at the startup. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Click the search icon on the taskbar, type registry editor, and select Run as administrator.

Step 2: Use the address bar at the top to navigate to the following key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Step 3: In the Run key, right-click anywhere in the right pane and choose New > String value. Assign it the exact name of the program you wish to launch.

Step 4: Double-click on the newly created string value to edit it.

Step 5: In the value data field, paste the path of the program you wish to launch and click OK.