The good news is that there are several ways to make portable apps start with Windows so that you don’t always have to start them manually. You can also remove them from the startup process whenever you want.
Add the App to the Startup Folder
This is the simplest and most direct option. Windows keeps a list of all your startup app shortcuts in a folder. (Required apps and system processes aren’t listed here.) To add your portable app to this list, do the following. If you’re not sure which file is the executable, change the “View” option of the folder to “Details.” Look for “Application” under the Type column. You can also right-click the file, select “Properties,” and see if it has an “.exe” extension in the General tab. If you ever move the location of the original executable, you’ll need to repeat this process or change the shortcut properties to point to the new file location. To remove the app from startup, delete its shortcut from the Startup folder.
Create a BAT File for Task Manager
Task Manager lets you schedule various tasks to run automatically at set times, dates, etc. As you might have guessed, you can use Task Manager to add portable apps to Windows startup. To do this, you’ll first need to create a batch file, i.e., a BAT file. These files let you execute a variety of handy commands, such as moving a large number of files easily and renaming numerous files at once. Notice that the quotes start from the path name text and not from the drive letter. Remove the app from startup at any time by deleting the task in Task Scheduler. If you ever move the app, you’ll need to update your BAT file with the new details. If you move your BAT file, update your task accordingly.
Use Third-Party Startup Managers
While the built-in Windows tools should be all you need to add portable apps to Windows startup, you can also use third-party startup managers. Two good options include Starter and Glarysoft Quick Startup.
Add Portable Apps to Windows Startup With Starter
Add Portable Apps to Windows Startup With Glarysoft Quick Startup
Where Can I Find Portable Apps?
The portable apps you choose to add to startup will vary based on your needs. For instance, as a writer, I like having my favorite browser, my schedule, and a new LibreOffice doc open when I start my PC. You might want a messaging/chat app, accessibility apps, a game, or something else. If you have a specific portable app in mind, such as a browser, check the app’s website. Many developers are offering portable versions of major apps. Keep in mind, however, that these versions often aren’t quite as powerful or don’t have as many features as their regular counterparts. At the same time, they’re great to run on older PCs, on a PC with limited space, or from a USB drive. You can also search the following sites for portable apps:
Portable App Directory: download individual apps or use the PortableApps.com platform to manage installations and updates all in one place.The Portable Freeware Collection: freeware portable apps in a variety of categoriesPortapps: a small but growing collection of free apps
Image credit: Alexander Shatov via Unsplash All screenshots by Crystal Crowder The only issue is the drive must be in during the startup process, and the drive letter must always remain the same. If the drive letter changes, Windows won’t be able to find the startup item.
