Slow PC? Manage which applications launch on startup

Maintaining your
technology setup is crucial for a reliable network. One often-overlooked aspect
is managing which applications start up when your business’s PCs do.

With many
software programs set to auto-start, your system can slow down and face
potential security risks. However, Windows 11 offers a feature that alerts you
whenever new apps are added to the startup list.

Every time you
power on your PC, a set of apps loads automatically. While some are essential,
others can slow down your system’s performance. As you install more software,
your startup list can grow, leading to longer startup times and a sluggish
experience.

Keeping an eye on
startup apps is also a good security practice. Unwanted or unknown apps
starting automatically can indicate malicious software (malware) or other
security threats. By receiving alerts about new startup apps, you can quickly
identify and investigate suspicious additions, ensuring your systems stay
secure.

To enable these
alerts in Windows 11:

1.      Open Windows 11 system settings by clicking
the Start menu and selecting the gear icon or pressing ‘Windows + I’ on your
keyboard.

2.      In the settings window, click on ‘System’ in
the left sidebar, then select ‘Notifications’ on the right.

3.      Scroll down to the bottom of the
notifications page. Just above Additional settings, you’ll find ‘Startup App
Notification’, which is switched off by default. Move the slider to ‘On’.

From then on,
you’ll receive a notification whenever a new application is added to the
startup process. You can customize this notification by clicking the arrow next
to the slider button to adjust its appearance and sound.

Enabling these
alerts benefits your business in several ways. It helps keep your PCs running
efficiently by allowing you to disable unnecessary software that might be
slowing down your system, resulting in faster start times and better overall
performance. It also enhances security by allowing you to immediately
investigate unknown or suspicious startup additions, helping prevent potential
security threats. Lastly, it helps you keep track of what’s installed on your
machines, ensuring only approved applications run at startup.

To further manage
startup apps, use Task Manager. Press ‘Ctrl + Shift + Esc’ to open Task
Manager, then 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 using the new alert feature, you can keep your startup
process streamlined and your system secure.

For an even
better solution, consider having a professional set this up and manage it for
you. We specialize in making technology easy for businesses. If we can help,
get in touch.