How to List Startup Programs Using PowerShell in Windows 11
Listing the programs that launch automatically when Windows starts helps you understand what runs at boot and spot anything unnecessary slowing startup. PowerShell can enumerate startup entries, giving a command-line TANGKAS39 view of what Task Manager’s Startup tab shows.
The Command
Get-CimInstance Win32_StartupCommand | Select-Object Name, Command, LocationWhat It Does
This queries the startup commands registered on the system and lists each one’s name, the command it runs, and where the entry is defined. The result shows programs configured to start with Windows, along with their launch commands and whether they come from the registry or a startup folder, giving a clear picture of what loads at boot.
When You’d Use This
This is useful for auditing what launches at startup, which is a common cause of slow boot times, and for spotting unfamiliar programs configured to run automatically. Reviewing startup entries helps you decide what to disable to speed up boot. Exporting the list gives a record you can compare over time or review at leisure.
Useful Variations
To see just the names, select only the Name column. To export the list to a file for review, pipe it to `Out-File startup.txt`. Note that this covers common startup locations; some modern startup entries, particularly scheduled-task-based ones, may not appear here and can be reviewed through Task Scheduler.
If It Doesn’t Work
If an expected startup item is missing, remember this command covers common startup locations but not everything, since some programs start through scheduled tasks or services not shown here. To manage startup items interactively, Task Manager’s Startup tab lets you disable entries directly. Combining this command’s overview with Task Manager gives a fuller picture of what actually runs at boot.
Good to Know
This command shows traditional startup entries but does not capture every way a program can start with Windows, since scheduled tasks and certain services start through other mechanisms. To manage startup items interactively, Task Manager’s Startup tab lets you disable entries directly, which pairs well with this command-line overview.
Putting It Together
The command shown may look dense at first, but it breaks down into clear parts once you have used it a few times. As part of understanding and controlling what runs on your PC, this command is one you will return to whenever the system feels slow or a program misbehaves. Paired with the related process commands, it gives you a full command-line alternative to Task Manager for diagnosing and managing what is running. Like anything in the terminal, the real value comes from trying it on your own system and adapting the variations above to what you actually need, so it is worth experimenting with in a safe, low-stakes situation before relying on it in a script or during troubleshooting. Keeping a note of the commands you find most useful, along with the variations that fit your workflow, turns scattered one-off tricks into a personal reference you can draw on whenever a similar task comes up again.