What Is Startup Folder?
When you turn on your computer, things happen. They're called "startup programs," and a big part of your computer boots up quickly. You see, when you turn on your computer for the first time after installing Windows; it loads a small program called NTOSKRNL (pronounced "NT Kernel"). This program loads all other system components that allow your computer to work. It also loads other programs that make starting your computer faster, like the Task Manager and Device Manager. When you have many programs running at once, it can take longer for NTOSKRNL to load them all, so Microsoft created a way for users to specify which programs should run automatically when they start their computers. This feature is called "the Startup Folder." The startup folder is a Windows feature you will want to live with. It's where all your favorite programs live and open every time you start your computer. It's like a secret clubhouse for all your favorite apps! You can put shortcuts here so that all those apps will open impulsively when you turn on your computer. This can be beneficial if you're busy with many programs running simultaneously. Imagine how much time you'd save if all your programs opened right when you turned on your computer! You can even have multiple startup folders. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start customizing! You might have missed the boat if a program was not added to your startup folder. The solution is simple! Just open your startup folder (usually located in the "C:\Users\[your username]\Documents\Startup" directory) and paste the shortcut for the program into it. To create a shortcut, right-click on the shortcut and select "Create Shortcut" from the popup menu. It will open up an icon that can be dragged to your startup folder.
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