The startup folder is empty in Windows, as its functions have been superseded by the Task Manager, Registry, Command Prompt and other system apps. Locating the Windows Startup Folder Programs from Task Manager But the apps that have been automatically added by third-party software or Windows 11/10 are controlled by the Task Manager. You can manually add program shortcuts here, which we have covered in a later section below, and they’ll start up with your PC from now on. Once you’re in the Startup folder, you may be surprised to know that the programs that usually start up with Windows aren’t actually here. To find the Windows 11/10 Startup folder for the current user, just type shell:startup after Win + R.