To understand where Windows 10 install files are stored, you must be aware of the structure of the installation files. When Windows installs software, it creates a folder called $WindowsBT on the hard drive. This folder contains the important installation files for Windows. Despite the fact that it is hidden, it is still present on the hard drive. However, you can delete this folder. This procedure is similar to the process of deleting or recovering Win setup files.
System drivers and files are stored in C:WINDOWSSystem32drivers. These drivers are installed so that the operating system can function properly. Setup files are the files that Windows uses to install these drivers. These files are located in the C:WINDOWSSystem32drivers directory. If you want to install a new device, the system will use the C:WINDOWSSYSTEM32drivers directory to install the driver.
The installation folder on your system drive contains various important files. While attempting to install Windows, the setup process creates a folder called $WindowsBT. This folder contains the setup files and logs that Windows uses to install and operate your computer. Once installed, this folder remains on your hard drive. If you accidentally delete this folder, you can always restore its contents by deleting it. The next time you have a problem with Windows, make sure to check this folder first!
The C:WINDOWSSystem32drivers directory contains the drivers that Windows 10 needs to properly operate your computer. These files are installed when you first install the operating system, so it’s critical that you know where they are located. When Windows installs drivers to your computer, the system refers to these files for installation. For example, if you installed the driver for a printer, the Windows 10 system will automatically use files stored in C:WINDOWSSystem32drivers.
Where are Windows Setup Files Located?
If you’re not familiar with where your Windows 10 drivers and setup files are stored, then you might be wondering: where do they go? These files are stored in the main storage drive of your computer. In other words, when you install Windows 10, it will put all of your system files and drivers here. If you don’t know where to look, you might end up with a computer that won’t boot.
The setup process creates a folder called $WindowsBT on your hard drive. This folder contains important files needed for Windows installation. These files are kept on your computer even after the installation process is complete. If you accidentally delete these files, you may get an error message. To fix this, you can use Disk Cleanup. Run Disk Cleanup as administrator. The software will scan your hard drive and find any files that you don’t need. It will also calculate how much space you have available to clear. The Disk Cleanup window will automatically check the relevant boxes.
If the program installation folder is missing, you may need to know the location. This is not a good idea, because it means you need to go through dozens of folders to find them. Instead of spending precious time browsing through dozens of folders, you can use practical methods to quickly find the installation directory of a program. While it isn’t ideal, this method works perfectly well in many situations. If your application requires a large amount of storage space, you can use an SSD drive for it. This will allow Windows 10 to install the files in the root of your system drive.
How Do I Find the Setup Files And Exe Files?
The Start menu’s search function can be problematic – how do I find a specific EXE file? Luckily, there are a few simple ways to find an EXE file on Windows 10. First, open the “Start” menu shortcut to the program you’re looking for. Right-click on the shortcut and select “open file location”. Next, locate the EXE file.
Sometimes, the problem isn’t in the EXE file itself, but the system’s settings. It’s possible that a malware infection has corrupted the EXE file. In such a case, adjusting compatibility settings will solve the issue. However, this method is not guaranteed. To solve the problem, you’ll have to use a tool that can read the file’s file format. For example, there are Windows versions of popular cleaning tools like CCleaner.
Another way to find EXE files is to mount a virtual drive on your PC. To do this, use the mount command in Windows 8.1. Alternatively, you can install a free virtual drive utility, like Virtual CloneDrive, in Windows Explorer. You can then run the setup file to install the software. This way, you can install applications from the ISO file in Windows.
Where are Temporary Installation Files Stored?
If you’re using Windows 10, you’re probably wondering where temporary installation files are located on your hard drive. These files are created when programs or applications download and install themselves on your computer. Though they don’t cause problems, they can quickly take up disk space and slow down your system. To find out where the temporary files are located on your PC, follow these simple steps. Delete them before they cause problems.
Once you’ve removed the files, you’ll have a few options. First, you can delete the TEMP folder in C: Windows 10 uses the TEMP folder to install new software, such as antivirus programs. Second, you can use the Windows Search feature to search for temporary files. You can also delete the files after you’ve upgraded. This will free up as much as 20GB of storage.
Third, you can delete the temporary files by opening the Settings application. To access the Settings app, click the Windows icon in the Start Menu, then click the gear icon. Press Win + I to open the Settings app. In the Settings window, click the System option. Scroll down to the Storage section and look for Temporary Files. Select them, and then click the ‘Delete’ button.
How Do I Extract Setup Files?
How do I extract Windows 10 setup files? is a question asked by many Windows 10 users. It’s easy, but it’s also not as intuitive as it sounds. First of all, the ISO file is an installer of Windows. If you haven’t seen it before, it’s an ISO file. Using an ISO file is similar to using a CD. It is designed to make your computer run faster and better. You can also create your own DVDs with different installation media.
The next step is to extract the Recovery folder. You can extract this folder to a folder or volume root on your PC. To do this, go to the Start menu, choose Advanced Startup, and click Restart Now. When your computer reboots, make sure to back up your files before proceeding. Then, click Troubleshoot, then Command Prompt, and follow the prompts to choose the Windows 10 setup file.
How Do I Delete Windows 10 Setup Files?
If you are experiencing problems with your PC, you might be wondering how to delete Windows 10 setup files. Thankfully, you can delete these files. These files are necessary for the installation process. However, they can also cause a lot of disk space on your computer. While you may be tempted to delete them, you should be aware of their negative effects. In some cases, they may even make it necessary to reinstall your PC.
The first step is to use Disk Cleanup, a Windows facility. To run Disk Cleanup, right-click your hard drive and choose Advanced options. This window will ask you for the drive name, by default, C:. Once you’ve selected the drive, you’ll see numerous file groups. You’ll need to select the last restore point to delete Win setup files. You can also choose to remove all of these files altogether.
Can I Clean Windows Setup Files?
Can I clean Windows setup files? Delete them to free up space on your PC. Windows setup files take up space and can make a new installation look messy. Luckily, you can safely delete these files with disk cleanup. You can run this cleanup program as an administrator to remove the files. You will need to select the drive that you wish to clean. You can open the Disk Cleanup window by clicking Run as administrator.
The first step to clean Windows setup files is to prepare. Make sure you collect all your downloaded program setups and installation discs. Another option is to download the programs’ setups and save them as text files. You can find the “Save installed programs to text file” option in the Tools menu, Tools>Uninstall. You can also manually clean the Temporary Internet Files by selecting all items with Ctrl + A and pressing Delete. However, keep in mind that these files will fill up over time.
Learn More Here:
1.) Windows Help Center
2.) Windows – Wikipedia
3.) Windows Blog
4.) Windows Central
Rick Akura
The Startup folder has been a part of Windows for decades and has undergone many changes. Learn how to access the Windows 10 Startup folder here.
The Startup folder has been a part of Windows for decades and went through many changes. Learn how to locate and access the Windows 10 Startup folder here.
You might be asking yourself: what is the Windows 10 Startup folder? The startup folder contains shortcuts to every application that launches when you sign in with your local Windows 10 account. Having direct access to this folder allows you to quickly add or remove startup apps without the hassle of using the Task Manager and other means.
In the past, specifically in Windows 7, the folder was easily accessible from the Start menu itself. This was later changed in newer systems created by Microsoft, but some users still look to utilize it.
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Table of Contents
- Where is the Startup folder in Windows 10?
- How to find the personal Startup folder
- How to find the Startup folder for all users
- How to disable startup apps in Windows 10
- Add an app to run automatically at startup in Windows 10
Where is the Startup folder in Windows 10?
Let’s see how to locate the Startup folder in Windows 10.
There are two versions of this folder: your one, and one for all users on the device. This is only applicable if you have or plan to have multiple local users on Windows 10. Otherwise, focus on the personal Startup folder.
How to find the personal Startup folder
With the steps below, you can easily locate the Startup folder for the local user currently logged in on the system.
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Open the File Explorer. This can be done by clicking on the Explorer icon in your taskbar, or by pressing the Windows + E keys on your keyboard.
- Navigate to the following location: %appdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
Alternatively, you can use the Run utility to reach the same location using a different approach.
- Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard. This is going to bring up the Run utility.
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Type in “%appdata%” without quotation marks and press the Enter key on your keyboard. This will launch File Explorer with the correct folder open.
- Navigate to Microsoft → Windows → Start Menu → Programs → Startup.
How to find the Startup folder for all users
If you have 2 or more local users on your Windows 10 system, a different Startup folder controls what applications launch when a user signs into Windows 10. As the name suggests, these are universal, meaning that the same applications will launch for every user when they log into their accounts on the computer.
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Open the File Explorer. This can be done by clicking on the Explorer icon in your taskbar, or by pressing the Windows + E keys on your keyboard.
- Navigate to the following location: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp
Alternatively, you can use the Run utility to reach the same location using a different approach.
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Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard. This is going to bring up the Run utility.
- Type in “shell: common startup” without quotation marks and press the Enter key on your keyboard. This will launch File Explorer with the correct folder open.
How to disable startup apps in Windows 10
Some apps, especially freeware, often make modifications to your system and set unnecessary startup apps. This doesn’t only slow down your boot time, but may cause serious performance drops as these applications continue running in the background.
Here’s how you can disable unwanted startup apps to improve the speed of your Windows 10 operating system.
- Open the Task Manager using one of the following ways:
- Right-click on any space in your taskbar. This will open up a context menu. Here, click on Task Manager.
- Alternatively, press the Ctrl, Alt, and Esc keys simultaneously on your keyboard.
- If your Task Manager launched in the compact view, click on the More details option seen in the bottom left of the window. This will expand the window and show you the necessary taps to access startup applications.
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Switch to the Startup tab using the menu at the top of the Task Manager window. Here, you can see all of the applications that start along with your computer at launch.
- You can check the Start-up impact column to determine which applications have a high impact measurement on your computer’s performance.
- Note: Make sure that the application you’re trying to disable doesn’t have Microsoft Corporation stated in the Publisher column. These applications usually don’t impact your system’s performance and might be required for Windows 10 to run as intended.
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Select an application you want to disable, then click on the Disable button in the bottom right of the window. Its status should change to Disabled.
- Repeat this process for every app you don’t need at startup, then restart your computer.
Now, your computer should launch up without any impact-heavy or unnecessary apps automatically launching. This gives you the ability to test your boot time and the performance of your device as well.
You should see the changes you make reflected in the Startup folder as well.
Add an app to run automatically at startup in Windows 10
Select the Start button and scroll to find the app you want to run at startup.
- Right-click the app, select More, and then select Open file location.
- This opens the location where the shortcut to the app is saved. If there isn’t an option for Open file location, it means the app can’t run at startup.
- With the file location open, press the Windows logo key + R, type shell:startup, then select OK. This opens the Startup folder.
- Copy and paste the shortcut to the app from the file location to the Startup folder.
Final thoughts
We hope this helps. Our Help Center offers hundreds of guides to assist you if you require further help. Return to us for more informative articles, or get in touch with our experts for immediate assistance.
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The Startup folder contains a list of application shortcuts that run automatically every time you start up your computer. You can add programs by adding their shortcuts to the folder to make them run during your Windows 11 or Windows 10 startup. You can also remove any of them if you don’t want them to run during startup.
Location of Startup Folder for All users
Here’s how to go to the all-users’ startup folder in Windows 10 or Windows 11:
- Open File Explorer from the start menu.
- Browse to the following directory.
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp
- Please take note that the above directory is assuming your default Windows was installed in C: drive. If your Windows is in another drive, change the drive letter.
- Add or remove any program’s shortcut into or from the folder.
Another much faster way to go to the startup folder in Windows 11/10:
- Go to start menu and type Run. Hit enter.
- In the Open field, type shell:common startup and then hit enter.
Startup Folder for Current User Only
If you would like to configure startup for only the currently logged-in user, here’s where you should go:
- Open File Explorer.
- Browse to the following folder.
C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
- Replace the Username with the actual username you’re currently using in your Windows system.
- Add or remove any shortcut as you want.
Another quicker method to go to this folder:
- Go to start menu and type Run. Press enter.
- Type shell:startup in the open field and press enter.
Configure Windows 11/10 Startup Apps from Msconfig
Not all application EXE shortcuts would be shown in the startup folder mentioned above. Some would not be there but would still run during startup. To have a clearer view of all the background programs and services that would run during the startup of your Windows 10 computer, use Msconfig. Here’s how:
- Go to Start, then Run.
- Type msconfig and hit enter.
- In the System Configuration window, go to the Startup tab.
- Click on the Open Task manager link.
- Programs shown in the startup list are all the programs that would run during startup.
- You can disable any of these programs by right clicking it and select disable, if you would not like it to run during startup.
More ways to make your computer start faster
Even after trying out the tips we talked about for managing startup programs in Windows 10/11, there’s more you can do to make your computer start up faster and run smoother. Here are some extra steps:
- Think about using a tool just for managing startup programs. There are extra tools out there, not made by Windows, that give you more options. They can let you delay when certain programs start, stop some from starting at all, and other cool things.
- Turn off startup programs you don’t need. Look through the programs that start automatically and turn off the ones you really don’t need right away. Sure, keeping your antivirus going or cloud storage connected is smart, but some stuff just isn’t necessary and can slow down how fast your computer starts.
- Keep your computer clean. Cleaning your system regularly helps it start faster and work better. Use a tool to get rid of files you don’t need, clean out temporary files, and uninstall programs you never use. This frees up space and makes it easier for your computer to get going.
- Think about getting better hardware. If your computer is still slow to start after you’ve done all you can with software, it might be time to upgrade your hardware. More memory (RAM) or a quicker hard drive or SSD can make a big difference in how fast your computer starts and runs.
Nyau Wai Hoe is the Founder and Chief Editor of WindowsDigitals.com. With a degree in software engineering and over 12 years of experience in the tech support industry, Nyau has established himself as an expert in the field, with a primary focus on the Microsoft Windows operating system. As a tech enthusiast, he loves exploring new technologies and leveraging them to solve real-life problems.
If you are not able to locate the Startup folder then you must be looking for an answer to this question “Where is the Startup folder in Windows 10?” or where is the Startup folder located in Windows 10?. Well, the Startup folder contains the programs which automatically launches when the system gets started. In older Windows version this folder is present in the Start Menu. But, on newer version like Windows 10 or Windows 8, it is no longer available in the Start Menu. If the user needs to find the startup folder in Windows 10, then they will need to have the exact folder location.
In this article, I am going to tell you all-around details of a Startup folder like types of startup folder, the location of the startup folder, etc. Also, how you can add or remove the program from the startup folder. So without wasting any time let’s just start with this tutorial!!
Table of Contents
Make sure to create a restore point just in case something goes wrong.
Startup Folder Types
Basically, there are two types of start folder in windows, first startup folder is a generic folder and it is common for all the users of the system. Programs inside this folder will also be the same for all the user of the same computer. The second one is user dependent and program inside this folder will vary from one user to another user depend on their choices for the same computer.
Let’s understand the types of the startup folder with an example. Consider you have two user accounts in your system. Whenever any user starts the system, the startup folder which is independent of user account will always run all the programs inside the folder. Let’s take Microsoft Edge as the program present in the common start-up folder. Now one user has also put the Word application shortcut in the start-up folder. So, whenever this particular user starts his system, then both Microsoft edge and Microsoft Word will get launched. So, this is a clear example of a user-specific startup folder. I hope this example clear the difference between the two.
Location of Startup folder in Windows 10
You can find the location of startup folder through File explorer or you can access through “Windows Key + R” key. You can type the following locations in the run dialog box (Window Key + R) and it will lead you to the location of the Startup Folder in Windows 10. If you choose to find the startup folder through file explorer, then keep in mind that “Show Hidden Files” option should be enabled. So, that you can see folders to go to the startup folder.
Location of the Common Startup Folder:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
Location of the User-specific Startup Folder is:
C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
You can see that for the common startup folder, we are going into program data. But, to find the user startup folder. Firstly, we are going into the user folder and then based on user name, we are getting the location of the user startup folder.
Startup Folder Shortcut
Some shortcut key can also be helpful if you want to find these startup folders. First, press “Windows Key + R” to open the run dialog box and then type “shell:common startup” (without quotes). Then just press “OK” and it will directly navigate you to the common startup folder.
To directly go to the user startup folder, just type “shell:startup” and hit Enter. Once you hit Enter, it will take you to the user’s startup folder location.
Add a Program to Startup Folder
You can directly add any program from their settings to the Startup Folder. Most of the application has the option to run at startup. But, anyhow if you don’t get this option for your application you can still add any application by adding the shortcut of the application in the startup folder. If you want to add the application, just follow these steps:
1.First, search for the application which you want to add to the startup folder and then right-click on it & select Open file location.
2.Now right-click on the application, and move your cursor to the “Send to” option. From the list of options that appears, select Desktop (create shortcut) from the right-click context menu.
3.You can see the shortcut of the application on the desktop, just copy the application through shortcut key “CTRL+C”. Then, open the user startup folder through any of the methods explained above and copy shortcut through shortcut key “CTRL+V”.
Now, whenever you start the computer by your user account, this application will automatically run as you have added to the startup folder.
Disable Program from Startup Folder
Sometimes you don’t want certain applications to run at the Startup then you can easily disable the particular program from the Startup Folder using the Task Manager in Windows 10. To remove the particular program, follow these steps:
1.First, open the Task Manager, you can do that using various methods but the easiest one is using the shortcut keys “Ctrl + Shift + Esc”.
2.Once the Task Manager opens, just switch to the Startup tab. Now, you can see all the application which are present inside the startup folder.
3.Now select the application you want to disable, click on the Disable button at the bottom of the task manager.
This way that program will not run at the start of the computer. It is preferable to not add an application like Gaming, Adobe Software and Manufacturer Bloatware at the startup folder. They may cause hinderance while starting the computer. So, this is all-around information related to the startup folder.
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I hope the above steps were helpful and now you can easily Open Startup Folder in Windows 10, but if you still have any questions regarding this tutorial then feel free to ask them in the comment’s section.
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Windows 10’s Task Manager utility includes a Startup tab. That is Windows 10’s default startup manager with which users can disable startup software.
However, the Task Manager’s tab doesn’t include any options for users to add programs to the startup. So, some users might look for startup settings on software windows to add new programs to the system startup.
Yet, Windows 10 includes a Startup folder to which users can add programs and files. All software and programs within that folder will run automatically when Windows starts.
What is the Startup folder?
The Startup folder is an in-built Windows feature (first introduced in Windows 95) that allows users to set up those particular apps and programs that will automatically run when Windows starts.
The folder is buried within a series of subfolders and can be hard to find.
How can I manage the Windows 10 Startup folder?
Some users might wonder where is the Startup folder on their PC, how to open it and how to add or remove the software from it. In the text below you will find answers to all of these.
1. Open the Startup folder using File Explorer
For most users, the Startup folder is located at this address:
C:Users<user name>AppDataRoamingMicrosoftWindowsStartMenuProgramsStartupThere is also a second All Users Startup folder that should be located under:
C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartupAs you can see, the full path for the Startup folder is this:
C:UsersUSERNAMEAppDataRoamingMicrosoftWindowsStartMenuProgramsStartupUsers will need to replace USERNAME with their actual user account name, and then enter that path in File Explorer. That path will open the folder shown in the snapshot directly below.
2. Access the Startup Folder using Run
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1. Press the Windows key + R hotkey to open the Run dialog.
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2. To open the Admin User Startup folder, enter shell:startup in the text box.
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3. To open the All Users Startup folder, enter shell:common startup in the text box.
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4. Click OK to execute the command.
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5. The Startup folder is now opened on your computer.
A quick and easy way to open the Startup folder on your PC is to use the built-in Run dialog. It works as a shortcut and all you need to do is input the appropriate command, then the folder will open.
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3. Add Software to the Startup Folder
With the Startup folder open in File Explorer, users can now add new program shortcuts to the system startup. In addition, users can also include file shortcuts within that folder.
Then the files the Startup folder includes will usually open with their default software. This is how users can add shortcuts to the Windows Startup folder.
- Right-click an empty space within the Startup folder and select New > Shortcut.
- Click the Browse button to open the window in the snapshot directly below.
- Select a program or document to include in the startup, and press the OK button.
- Press the Next button.
- Then press the Finish button. The Startup folder will now include the selected software or file.
- The software in the Startup folder will open after you’ve restarted Windows.
4. Remove Software From the Startup Folder
Users can remove programs in the Startup folder by deleting them. To do that, select a program in that folder and click the Delete button. That will probably erase the shortcut to the Recycle Bin.
Users can also press the Ctrl + A keyboard shortcut to select all shortcuts within the Startup folder. Then press File Explorer’s Delete button to erase them.
Task Manager’s Start-up tab in Windows 10 will also list the programs that users have added to the Startup folder.
Therefore, users can disable the programs with that utility by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting Task Manager.
Click the Start-up tab on that utility’s window. Then users can select the required program and click Disable.
Note: Task Manager doesn’t include a Start-up tab in Windows 7. However, Win 7 users can open the startup manager by entering msconfig in Run and clicking OK. Then select the Startup tab on the System Configuration window.
Windows 7 users can uncheck the item checkboxes on that tab to disable programs starting during startup. So, that’s how users can add new software and files to Windows’ Startup folder.
However, filling that folder up will slow down the system’s startup. Lots of startup software will also drain system resources. Therefore, don’t add too many things to the folder.
We hope you found this guide useful. To learn more, we have a guide on how to disable startup programs in Windows 7, so don’t miss it.
There you go, these solutions should help you manage the startup folder adequately. Let us know if you found them useful by hitting the comments section below.
Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it.
He is passionate about the tech world, always staying up-to-date with the latest and greatest. With an analytical view, he likes problem-solving, focusing on errors and their causes.
In his free time, he likes to read and write about history and tries to always develop new skills.