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Manage Windows startup programs

Control what runs when Windows starts: open the Startup folder, change service startup types, and handle Fast Startup quirks.

WindowsFilesshell-folderssystemservicesstartuppowershellMedium risk
Open the Startup folder with explorer shell:startup to see and remove programs that launch at logon.

What this covers

Windows starts programs in two main places: the Startup folder (shortcuts per user or all users) and background services. This setup checklist walks through both, plus the Fast Startup setting that can hide your changes.

Open the Startup folder to see what launches at logon

Programs with a shortcut here start every time you sign in. Open shell:startup for your user, or shell:common startup for all users. You'll know it worked when an Explorer window opens showing the startup shortcuts, which you can delete or add shortcuts to.

WindowsOpen the Startup Folder (shell:startup)Low riskStep 1

Add or remove logon-startup programs by opening shell:startup (current user) or shell:common startup (all users).

Command
$ explorer shell:startup
explorer shell:common startup
▾ Undo
Undo
$ Delete the shortcut from the Startup folder.
Full explanation & undo →

Control background services that start at boot

Not all startup programs live in the Startup folder — many are Windows services. Use Set-Service to set a service to Disabled, Manual (starts on demand), or Automatic. Verify by reopening the service's properties and confirming the startup type changed.

WindowsChange a Windows Service's Startup Type (Enable/Disable)Low riskStep 2

Use Set-Service to make a service start at boot, start on demand, or never start at all.

Command
$ Set-Service -Name spooler -StartupType Disabled    ::  also valid: Manual, Automatic, AutomaticDelayedStart
▾ Undo
Undo
$ Set-Service -Name spooler -StartupType Automatic
Full explanation & undo →

Check Fast Startup if your boot changes don't seem to apply

Fast Startup (hybrid boot) means shutdown doesn't fully end the session, so startup changes can seem ignored. Disabling it via the HiberbootEnabled registry value forces a clean boot. It worked if shutdown/restart now feels like a full reboot. Note this is a medium-risk registry edit — restart afterward.

WindowsTurn Fast Startup On or Off via the RegistryMedium riskStep 3Optional

Disable or re-enable Windows Fast Startup (hybrid boot) with the HiberbootEnabled registry value to fix shutdown and dual-boot problems.

Command
$ reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Power" /v HiberbootEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
▾ Undo
Undo
$ reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Power" /v HiberbootEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
Full explanation & undo →
!Before disabling a service, confirm you know what it does — some are required for printing, networking, or Windows Update. Registry edits should be done carefully; note the original value first.

How to confirm it worked

Sign out and back in (or restart): the programs you removed should not launch, and any service you set to Disabled should not be running.

Undo everything

Every command above can be reverted. Run these in order to undo all of it.

Undo everything
$ reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Power" /v HiberbootEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
Set-Service -Name spooler -StartupType Automatic
Delete the shortcut from the Startup folder.

Review before running — some steps may not be independent.

Sources

  • Windows shell: commands - SS64
    Microsoft Learn · vendor-doc · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Lists the shell: constants such as shell:Downloads, shell:sendto and shell:startup that open known Windows folders.
  • Set-Service — Configure a Windows service
    SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Syntax shows Set-Service -Name <string> -StartupType {Automatic | Manual | Disabled} for changing a service's start mode.
  • Start - SS64
    SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: start launches shell: locations; document shortcuts placed in Startup folders run at logon.
  • Set-Service
    Microsoft Learn · vendor-doc · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Documents the -StartupType parameter with values Automatic, Manual, Disabled (and AutomaticDelayedStart) for controlling when a service starts.
  • Distinguishing Fast Startup from Wake-from-Hibernation
    Microsoft Learn · vendor-doc · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Explains that Fast Startup is a hybrid shutdown that hibernates the kernel session, so restart and full shutdown behave differently.
  • powercfg - SS64
    SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Documents powercfg /hibernate, which must be enabled for Fast Startup's kernel hibernation file to exist.

Last verified: 2026-09-21

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