How to Fix Windows 11 startup folder is empty [Steps]

What is ‘Windows 11 startup folder is empty’ issue?

In this article, we are going to discuss on How to fix Windows 11 startup folder is empty. You will be guided with easy steps/methods to resolve the issue. Let’s starts the discussion.

‘Windows 11 startup folder is empty’:

‘Startup folder’: Startup folder is a feature available in Windows Operating System that enables you to automatically run a specialised set of programs when Windows starts. The Startup folder was introduced in Windows 95. Windows 11 startup folder contains a list of applications or programs that run automatically whenever the computer boots up. The location of startup folder may vary slightly in different versions of Windows. Any program that needs to be run automatically on boot-up must be stored as shortcut in this folder.

However, several users reported they faced Windows 11 startup folder is empty issue. If you see Startup folder is empty, then it doesn’t mean that no apps load when you boot the Windows OS. You could have used the Task Manager or settings to configure the startup apps, these wouldn’t be listed in the folder. There could be several reasons behind this problem including try to remember you did add any apps to the folder.

Because many use settings or task manager to configure startup apps, as result, the startup folder is empty, though many apps load at boot. If you are not aware, there two startup folders in which one operates for individual users and other on the system level. So, there’s good chance that you may have added the app to one but are looking for it in the other. Let’s go for the steps to fix.

How to fix Windows 11 startup folder is empty?

Method 1: Check both Startup folders

Step 1: Press ‘Windows + R’ keys on keyboard, type ‘shell:startup’ in ‘Run’ window and hit ‘Ok’ button to open user-specific startup folder

Step 2: Check if the app that you are looking for is located here. If not, we will next check the common startup folder

Step 3: Now, press ‘Windows + R’ keys on keyboard again, type ‘shell:common startup’ in ‘Run’ window and hit ‘Ok’ button open it

Step 4: Check if the app is located here that you are looking for should be located in one of these folders.

Method 2: Verify if startup apps have been configured through Task Manager

Step 1: Press ‘CTRL + SHIFT + ESC’ keys on keyboard to open ‘Task Manager’ and go to ‘Startup’ tab

Step 2: Locate the program you are looking for here and check if it is Enabled, under ‘Status’ column

Step 3: If not, select it and then click ‘Enable’ button at bottom. Even if Windows 11 startup folder is empty, you can still set an app to launch at boot using Task Manager.

Method 3: Add the apps again

Step 1: Open ‘File Explorer’ in Windows PC and go to following path

  • For the user-specific startup folder, use the following path:

C:\Users\kazim\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

  • For the common startup folder, use the following path:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Step 2: Right-click on empty portion and select ‘New > Shortcut’ to open Create Shortcut window, click ‘Browse’, and go to location where the shortcut is stored, select it and then click ‘Ok’ button

Step 3: Click ‘Next > Finish’ without changing the default name entered in the text field. If the folder is emtpry, manually adding apps to startup fodler in Windows 11 could do the trick.

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Conclusion

I am sure this post helped you on How to fix Windows 11 startup folder is empty with easy ways. You can read & follow our instructions to do so. That’s all. For any suggestions or queries, please write on comment box below.