Slow PCs? Manage which applications launch at startup • Blisstech Solutions

Maintaining a reliable network is crucial to staying on top of how your technology is set up. One often overlooked aspect is managing the Windows startup applications that load automatically when your computer starts.

Many software programs want to auto-start, which can slow down your system and potentially introduce security risks. But did you know that Windows 11 offers a useful feature that alerts you whenever new apps are added to the startup list?

Whenever you hit the power button on your PC, it loads a set of apps automatically. While some of these are essential, others might not be, and can slow down your system’s performance. Over time, as you install more software, your startup list can grow, leading to longer startup times and a slow experience.

Not only that but keeping an eye on Windows startup applications is also good security practice. Unwanted or unknown apps starting automatically can be a red flag for malicious software (malware) or other security threats. You can quickly identify and investigate any suspicious additions by receiving alerts about new startup apps, ensuring your systems stay secure.

How do you enable these alerts in Windows 11? It’s a simple process:

  • Start by opening the Windows 11 system settings. You can do this by clicking the Start menu and selecting the gear icon or by pressing ‘Windows + I’ on your keyboard.
  • In the settings window, click on ‘System’ in the left sidebar, then select ‘Notifications’ on the right.
  • Scroll down to the bottom of the notifications page. Just above Additional settings, you’ll find ‘Startup App Notification’, which is switched off by default. Move the slider to ‘On’.

You’ll receive a notification when a new application is added to the startup process. You can even customise what this notification looks like by clicking on the arrow next to the slider button, allowing you to adjust its appearance and sound to suit your preferences.

Turning on these alerts brings several benefits to your business. First, it helps keep your PCs running efficiently. By staying informed about new startup apps, you can quickly disable any unnecessary software slowing down your system. This means faster start times and better overall performance, allowing your team to get to work without delays.

Secondly, it enhances security. Receiving alerts for new startup apps means you can immediately investigate any unknown or suspicious additions. This proactive approach helps prevent potential security threats, safeguarding your business data and systems.

Lastly, it’s a great way to keep track of what’s installed on your machines. With various team members possibly installing different software, these alerts give you a clear overview of what’s being added to the startup list, making sure that only approved applications are running.

To further manage startup apps, you can use Task Manager. Press ‘Ctrl + Shift + Esc’ to open Task Manager, then select the ‘Startup’ tab. Here, you’ll see a list of all the 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.

A better answer is getting someone to set all of this up and manage it for you. We specialise in making technology easy for businesses. If we can help, get in touch.

More Content

A handshake reaching out of a laptop screen

What is a managed service?

If computers are an essential part of your business you will probably have someone looking after them for you, but what type of service are you getting from them?  Have you heard the expression "Managed Service" or "Break/Fix"? You may have heard these expressions and...

Tech Tip: How to use Conditional Formatting in Excel

This Tuesday Two Minute Tech-tip shows you how to automatically add pizzaz to your spreadsheets. Using a feature called 'Conditional Formatting', you can automatically format the cells of your Excel spreadsheet based on what is in them. For example, you can emphasise...
Microsoft takes the pain out of updates

Microsoft takes the pain out of updates with checkpoint cumulative updates

Updates are a pain, right? Time consuming and disruptive. Not anymore… Here we tell you how Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 update is making things quicker and easier.

Tech Tip: How to Stay Cyber Safe at Christmas

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL!!! As we are on the countdown to Christmas, today's Tuesday Two Minute Tech Tip is on a (very tenuous) Christmas theme. As we all get ready for the big day we will be thinking of having a few days or even weeks off work and relaxing. Christmas is a...

Tech Tip: Avoid this OneDrive AutoSave Pitfall

Welcome to a new Tuesday tech tip video. In it, I explain a OneDrive AutoSave pitfall that you should learn to avoid. If you use Microsoft Office applications and store your data in OneDrive, you are probably familiar with the AutoSave feature. This does precisely...

Tech Tip: How to find the tools you need in Microsoft Office

Welcome to a new Tuesday tech tip video, and it's another speedy, but useful one Are you struggling to find the tools you need in Office applications? Me too! Since Microsoft introduced the ribbon in Office applications, it has become harder to find tools that you...

Tech Tip: How to name cells in Excel

Welcome to a new Tuesday tech tip video where I will show you how to name cells in Microsoft Excel. Naming cells can make your spreadsheets easier to understand and maintain and help you write more concise and efficient formulas. In the video, I show one way of doing...

IT Managed Services for Law Firms

Over the years, technology has shaped and changed legal firms in the UK in many ways.   Technology has helped legal firms to go digital and provide a streamlined client experience by allowing them to access case files online from anywhere. Technology has also helped...

Tech Tip: How to use Windows Clipboard History

Welcome to a new Tuesday tech tip video where I will show you a really cool Windows feature called Clipboard History. Do you ever find yourself copying and pasting the same text or images over and over again? If so, you're not alone. But there's a better way! Windows...

Tech Tip: How to search for files in Window and Microsoft 365

Welcome to a new Tuesday tech tip video where we will show you how to find your files using the powerful search features of Windows and Microsoft 365. Even if you are very organised with filing your data, sometimes, you just cannot find the file that you are looking...
Share This
Contact
Love Lane
Cleobury Mortimer
Shropshire DY14 8PE

01299 382 321
[email protected]
Copyright © 2024 Blisstech Solution Ltd
Registered No: 08125391 VAT No : 307 5490 05