Keeping your technology in check is key to maintaining a smooth and reliable network. One critical yet often overlooked aspect is managing which applications launch when your business's PCs start up.
With numerous software programs vying to auto-start, your system can slow down significantly and face potential security risks. Did you know that Windows 11 has a handy feature that notifies you whenever new apps are added to the startup list?
Every time you power on your PC, a set of apps is loaded automatically. While some are essential, others may not be and can bog down your system’s performance. Over time, as more software is installed, your startup list can expand, leading to prolonged startup times and sluggish performance.
Monitoring startup apps is also a good security practice. Unwanted or unknown apps launching automatically can be a sign of malicious software (malware) or other security threats. With alerts about new startup apps, you can quickly identify and investigate any suspicious additions, keeping your systems secure.
Enabling Startup App Alerts in Windows 11
Turning on these notifications in Windows 11 is simple:
- Open the Windows 11 system settings by clicking the Start menu and selecting the gear icon or by pressing ‘Windows + I’ on your keyboard.
- In the settings window, click on ‘System’ in the left sidebar, then select ‘Notifications’ on the right.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the notifications page. Just above Additional settings, you’ll find ‘Startup App Notification,’ which is off by default. Move the slider to ‘On.’
From now on, you’ll receive notifications whenever a new application is added to the startup process. You can even customize these notifications by clicking on the arrow next to the slider button, adjusting their appearance and sound to your liking.
Benefits of Managing Startup Apps
Enhanced Performance: By being informed about new startup apps, you can quickly disable any unnecessary software that might slow down your system. This leads to faster startup times and better overall performance, allowing your team to work without delays.
Improved Security: Receiving alerts for new startup apps enables you to immediately investigate any unknown or suspicious additions. This proactive approach helps prevent potential security threats, safeguarding your business data and systems.
Better Oversight: With various team members potentially installing different software, these alerts provide a clear overview of what’s being added to the startup list, ensuring that only approved applications are running.
Using Task Manager to Manage Startup Apps
To further manage startup apps, you can use Task Manager:
- Press ‘Ctrl + Shift + Esc’ to open Task Manager.
- Select the ‘Startup’ tab. Here, you’ll see a list of all the apps that start with Windows, along with their impact on boot time.
- You can enable or disable apps by selecting them and clicking the appropriate button at the top right.
By regularly checking this list and utilizing the new alert feature, you can keep your startup process streamlined and your system secure.
Need Help?
Managing all this might seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be. We specialize in making technology easy for businesses. If you need assistance setting this up and keeping it maintained, get in touch. We're here to help!
