How to add batch file to startup in windows 10

Last Updated: Jan 20, 2024 by

If you have a batch file that you use frequently, you may want to add it to your Windows 10 startup folder. This will allow the batch file to automatically run every time you start your computer, saving you time and effort. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to add a batch file to your Windows 10 startup folder.

Finding the Windows 10 Startup Folder

Before we can add our batch file to the startup folder, we need to locate it. The startup folder is a special folder that contains programs and files that are automatically launched when Windows starts up. To find the startup folder, follow these steps:

  1. Open File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in your taskbar or by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
  2. In the address bar, type in the following: shell:startup and press Enter.
  3. This will open the startup folder in File Explorer.

Creating a Batch File

If you already have a batch file that you want to add to the startup folder, you can skip this step. Otherwise, follow these steps to create a batch file:

  1. Open Notepad by typing “Notepad” in the search bar and clicking on the app.
  2. Type in the commands you want your batch file to run. For example, if you want to open a specific website, you can type in start www.example.com.
  3. Save the file by clicking on File > Save As.
  4. In the “Save as type” dropdown menu, select “All Files”.
  5. Name your file with the extension .bat at the end. For example, myscript.bat.
  6. Save the file to a location that is easy to access, such as your desktop.

Adding the Batch File to Startup

Now that we have our batch file ready, we can add it to the startup folder. Follow these steps:

  1. Open the startup folder by following the steps in the previous section.
  2. Right-click on an empty space in the folder and select “New” > “Shortcut”.
  3. In the “Create Shortcut” window, click on “Browse” and navigate to the location where you saved your batch file.
  4. Select your batch file and click “OK”.
  5. Click “Next” and then “Finish”.
  6. Your batch file will now appear in the startup folder.

Testing the Batch File

To make sure that your batch file is added to the startup folder correctly, you can test it by restarting your computer. Once your computer has restarted, your batch file should automatically run. If it does not, double-check that you followed all the steps correctly.

Troubleshooting

If your batch file is not running on startup, there are a few things you can try:

  • Make sure that your batch file is saved with the .bat extension.
  • Check that the file path in your shortcut is correct.
  • Try adding a delay to your batch file by using the timeout command. This will give your computer time to fully start up before running the batch file.

Conclusion

Adding a batch file to your Windows 10 startup folder can save you time and effort by automatically running your frequently used commands. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily add your batch file to the startup folder and streamline your computer’s startup process. Have you tried adding a batch file to your startup folder? Let us know in the comments.

Gulrukh Ch

About the Author: Gulrukh Ch

Gulrukh Chaudhary, an accomplished digital marketer and technology writer with a passion for exploring the frontiers of innovation. Armed with a Master's degree in Information Technology, Gulrukh seamlessly blends her technical prowess with her creative flair, resulting in captivating insights into the world of emerging technologies. Discover more about her on her LinkedIn profile.

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