Slow PCs? Optimise Startup Applications for Better Performance

Ensuring your technology is properly configured is crucial for maintaining a reliable network. One often-overlooked aspect is managing which applications launch when your business’s PCs start up.

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

Every time you power on your PC, it loads a set of applications automatically. While some are essential, others may not be, causing slower system performance. Over time, as more software is installed, the startup list can grow, leading to longer boot times and sluggish performance.

Moreover, monitoring startup applications is 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 any suspicious additions, ensuring your systems remain secure.

Enabling Startup App Alerts in Windows 11

To enable these alerts in Windows 11, follow these steps:

Open System Settings:

Click the Start menu and select the gear icon, or press ‘Windows + I’ on your keyboard.

Navigate to Notifications:

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

Enable Startup App Notifications:

Scroll to the bottom of the notifications page. Just above Additional settings, you’ll find ‘Startup App Notification’. Move the slider to ‘On’.

Once enabled, you’ll receive a notification whenever a new application is added to the startup process. You can customise the notification’s appearance and sound by clicking the arrow next to the slider button.

Benefits for Your Business

Enabling these alerts offers several advantages:

Improved Performance:

Stay informed about new startup apps and quickly disable any unnecessary software that might slow down your system. This leads to faster start times and better overall performance, allowing your team to work without delays.

Enhanced Security:

Receiving alerts for new startup apps allows immediate investigation of unknown or suspicious additions. This proactive approach helps prevent potential security threats, safeguarding your business data and systems.

Better Oversight:

Keep track of what’s installed on your machines. With various team members possibly installing different software, these alerts provide a clear overview of what’s being added to the startup list, ensuring only approved applications run.

Managing Startup Apps with Task Manager

To further manage startup applications, you can use Task Manager:

Open Task Manager:

Press ‘Ctrl + Shift + Esc’.

Access the Startup Tab:

Select the ‘Startup’ tab. Here, you’ll see a list of all 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.

Professional Assistance

For a more efficient solution, consider having an expert set up and manage this for you. We specialise in making technology easy for businesses. If you need assistance, please get in touch.