To enable or disable startup programs on a Windows laptop, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + R simultaneously on your keyboard. This will open the Run dialog box.
- Type "msconfig" in the Run dialog box and press Enter. This will open the System Configuration utility.
- In the System Configuration window, go to the "Startup" tab.
- You will see a list of programs that are set to start automatically when your laptop boots up. Each program will have a checkbox next to it.
- To enable a program, make sure the checkbox next to it is ticked. This means the program will start automatically during startup.
- To disable a program, simply untick the checkbox next to it. This means the program will not start automatically during startup.
- Once you have made the desired changes, click on the "Apply" button and then click "OK" to save the changes.
- You may be prompted to restart your laptop for the changes to take effect. If so, go ahead and restart your laptop.
Remember, disabling startup programs can help improve your laptop's performance and reduce the time it takes to boot up. However, be cautious while disabling programs, as some may be essential for certain functionalities or antivirus software.
Best Windows Laptops to Buy in September 2025
1
Rating is 5 out of 5
HP Pavilion Laptop, 15.6" FHD Touchscreen, 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1355U Processor, 32GB RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, Webcam, Fingerprint Reader, Backlit KB, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11 Pro, Blue
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【High Speed RAM And Enormous Space】32GB high-bandwidth DDR4 RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once; 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive allows to fast bootup and data transfer.
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【Processor】13th Gen Intel Core i7-1355U Processor (10 Cores, 12 Threads, Base Frequency at 1.2GHz, Up to 5.0GHz at Max Turbo Frequency), with Intel Iris Xe Graphics
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【Display】15.6" diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080) Touchscreen, IPS, micro-edge, anti-glare, 250 nits
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【Tech Specs】1x USB Type-C 3.0, 2x USB Type-A 3.0, 1x HDMI, 1x Headphone/mic combo; Backlit Keyboard (On: F11); Fingerprint Reader; Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth;
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【Operating System】Windows 11 Pro - Organize open apps with pre-configured layouts to optimize productivity, Navigate with more intuitive experience to get things done, Collaborate with teams with more features
2
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
Lenovo V15 Laptop, 15.6" FHD Display, AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Hexa-core Processor (Beat Intel i7-1065G7), 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, HDMI, RJ45, Numeric Keypad, Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Pro, Black
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【High Speed RAM And Enormous Space】16GB high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once; 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive allows to fast bootup and data transfer
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【Processor】AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Processor (6 Cores, 12 Threads, 8MB L3 Cache, Clock Speed:2.1GHz, up to 4.0GHz Turbo)
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【Display】15.6" diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080)
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【Tech Specs】1 x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C, 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ45, 1 x headphone/microphone combo, Numeric Keyboard, Webcam, Wi-Fi
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【Operating System】Windows 11 Pro-Get all the features of Windows 11 Home operating system plus Mobile device management, Group Policy, Enterprise State Roaming, Assigned Access, Dynamic Provisioningm, Windows Update for Business, Kiosk mode, and Active Directory/Azure AD
3
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2023) Gaming Laptop, 16” 16:10 FHD 165Hz, GeForce RTX 4070, Intel Core i9-13980HX, 16GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe SSD, Wi-Fi 6E, Windows 11, G614JI-AS94, Eclipse Gray
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POWER UP YOUR PLAY - Draw more frames and win more games with Windows 11, a 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13980HX processor, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU at 140W Max TGP..Anti-glare display, Refresh Rate: 240Hz, Response Time: 3ms, 720P HD camera.
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BLAZING FAST MEMORY AND STORAGE – Multitask swiftly with 16GB of DDR5-4800MHz memory and speed up loading times with 1TB of PCIe 4x4.
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ROG INTELLIGENT COOLING – To put this amount of power in a gaming laptop, you need an even better cooling solution. The Strix features Thermal Grizzly’s Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal on the CPU, and a third intake fan among other premium features, to allow for better sustained performance over long gaming sessions.
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SWIFT VISUALS – The Strix G16 has a fast FHD 165Hz panel to make sure you never miss a moment. It also covers 100% of the sRGB color space and feature Dolby Vision, Adaptive-Sync support, and an 90% screen-to-body ratio for a stellar gaming and viewing experience.
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MUX SWITCH WITH ADVANCED OPTIMUS - A MUX Switch increases laptop gaming performance by 5-10% by routing frames directly from the dGPU to the display bypassing the iGPU. With Advanced Optimus the switch between iGPU and dGPU becomes automatic based on the task, optimizing battery life.
4
![Dell Inspiron 15 3000 3520 Business Laptop Computer[Windows 11 Pro], 15.6'' FHD Touchscreen, 11th Gen Intel Quad-Core i5-1135G7, 16GB RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, Numeric Keypad, Wi-Fi, Webcam, HDMI, Black](https://blogweb-static.fra1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/images/be6234ae-b2de-4259-a764-ab161c6cb9b8/rating/51o3nnfyjpl-sl160.jpg)
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
Dell Inspiron 15 3000 3520 Business Laptop Computer[Windows 11 Pro], 15.6'' FHD Touchscreen, 11th Gen Intel Quad-Core i5-1135G7, 16GB RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, Numeric Keypad, Wi-Fi, Webcam, HDMI, Black
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【15.6" Full HD Touchscreen】The 1920 x 1080 resolution boasts impressive color and clarity. IPS technology for wide viewing angles. Energy-efficient LED backlight. Designed with tiny rubber feet and bumpers on the hinge that keep it from skidding and provide additional stability.
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【11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor】Ultra-low-voltage platform. Quad-core, eight-way processing provides maximum high-efficiency power to go. Your always-ready experience starts as soon as you open your device. Turn on, boot-up, and log-in quickly.
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【16GB DDR4 RAM + 1TB PCIe SSD】16GB RAM can smoothly run your games and photo- and video-editing applications, as well as multiple programs and browser tabs all at once. A 1TB NVMe PCIe solid slate drive that leaves the power at your fingertips with the fastest data transfers currently available.
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【Easy-to-use Technology】Long-lasting battery and express charge capability, to keep going for longer. Comes with Express Charge capabilities that minimize the time you spend tethered to an outlet and will recharge your battery 80% in 60 minutes. Built-in media reader for simple photo transfer.
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【Windows 11 Professional】Experience the most secure Windows ever built with fast boot times, increased responsiveness, and added protection against phishing and malware. Plus, you can switch out of S mode.
5
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 (2022), 13.5" Touch Screen, Thin & Lightweight, Long Battery Life, Fast Intel i5 Processor for Multi-Tasking, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage with Windows 11, Platinum
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Introducing Copilot on Windows 11, your everyday AI companion - Copilot empowers you to create faster, complete tasks with ease and lessens your cognitive load - making one complicated task, simple.
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Your style – complemented – Sleek and ultra-smooth 13.5” PixelSense touchscreen for ultra-portable productivity. Make it your own with your choice of four bold colors [1].
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Lift the lid and get in the flow – Effortlessly open with one finger and sign-in securely in seconds with Windows Hello and your face as your password.
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Type accurately and quickly with exceptional typing comfort – Featuring the perfect balance of key travel and responsiveness, plus easy navigation on the large touchpad.
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See more and do more – With the 3:2 Surface ratio on the vibrant PixelSense touch display, Surface Laptop 5 has 18% more vertical screen real estate for less scrolling and more doing [2].
6
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop, 15.6” FHD Touchscreen Display, Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor, 20GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Wi-Fi 6, SD Card Reader, HDMI, Webcam, Windows 11 Pro, Grey
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【High Speed RAM And Enormous Space】20GB high-bandwidth DDR4 RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once; 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive allows to fast bootup and data transfer
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【Processor】11th Generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor (2.40 GHz up to 4.20 GHz, 4 Cores, 8 Threads)
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【Display】15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS, Anti-Glare, Touchscreen, 45%NTSC, 300 nits, 60Hz, LED Backlight, Narrow Bezel
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【Tech Specs】1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB-A 2.0, 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x Headphone/Microphone Combo, 1 x HDMI, 1 x SD Media Card Reader; Wi-Fi 6 AX and Bluetooth 5.1; Touchscreen; Numeric Keyboard; Windows 11 Pro
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【Authorized KKE Bundle】 Bundled with KKE Mousepad
7
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
ASUS VivoBook 15.6" Touchscreen FHD Laptop, 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1255U, 16GB RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, Backlit Keyboard, WiFi 6, Windows 11 Pro, Quiet Blue, 32GB Hotface USB Card
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【15.6" FHD Touchscreen Display】15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) Touch screen Display. Embark on a visual journey where vibrant colors and high resolution come to life at your fingertips.
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【Intel Core i7-1255U Processor】1.7 GHz (12M Cache, up to 4.7 GHz, 10 cores), saving you time and increasing your ability to prioritize important tasks. Embrace highly efficient multitasking, powering through new levels of productivity and unleashing your full potential in a boundless journey.
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【16GB DDR4 RAM】Seamlessly tackle resource-intensive tasks, smoothly run multiple applications simultaneously, and enjoy lightning-fast responsiveness that keeps you in the flow.【512GB PCIe SSD】Delivers lightning-fast boot-up speed, enhanced storage capabilities, and support for high-definition video playback. Effortlessly store an extensive digital library and access your virtual world with ease.
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【Backlit Keyboard】The illuminated keys make it easier to locate specific keys and improve typing accuracy, allowing you to be more productive and focused on your tasks.【720p HD Camera】Provides high quality video calls, virtual meetings and online interactions.
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【Windows 11 Pro】Enjoy effortless Windows 11 Pro gaming performance with the ASUS Vivobook! 【Dimensions & Weight】9.15 x 14.16 x 0.78 Inches, 3.75 lb.【Ports and Accessories 】1x USB 2.0 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 1x HDMI, 1x Audio jack, 1x DC-in, Quiet Blue. Bonus 32GB Hotface USB Card.
How to enable or disable startup programs through the registry editor on a Windows laptop?
To enable or disable startup programs through the registry editor on a Windows laptop, follow these steps:
- Press the "Windows Key" + "R" to open the Run dialog box.
- Type "regedit" and hit Enter to open the registry editor.
- Navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- In the right pane, you will see a list of startup programs. Each program will have a name and a corresponding value.
- To disable a startup program, right-click on its value name and select "Delete". This will remove it from the list.
- To enable a startup program, you need to add it back to the list. Right-click on an empty space in the right pane, select "New", and click "String Value".
- Name the new value with the program's name and set the value data to the program's executable path. For example, if you want to enable "ApplicationX", the value name could be "ApplicationX" and the value data could be "C:\Program Files\ApplicationX\app.exe".
- Close the registry editor.
After following these steps, the startup program should either be disabled or enabled based on your changes. Please note that modifying the registry can have serious consequences if done incorrectly, so it's recommended to create a backup or restore point before making any changes.
How to enable or disable startup programs through group policy settings on a Windows laptop?
To enable or disable startup programs through group policy settings on a Windows laptop, you can follow these steps:
- Open the Local Group Policy Editor. To do this, press Windows Key + R, type "gpedit.msc" (without quotes), and hit Enter.
- In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to the following path:
Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → System → Logon
- On the right-hand side, you will find several policies related to startup programs. The two main policies are:
Do not process the run once list
Do not process the run list
- Double-click on either policy to open its configuration window.
- To disable a startup program, select "Enabled" in the policy configuration window. This prevents any programs listed in the registry keys for startup from running.
- To enable a startup program, select "Disabled" in the policy configuration window. This allows the programs in the registry keys to run as usual during startup.
- After making the desired changes, click Apply and then OK to save the settings.
Note: Group Policy Editor is only available on Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. If you are using Windows Home edition, you may need to use alternative methods to accomplish the same task, such as the Windows Registry Editor or Task Manager's Startup tab.
How to create a backup of the current startup programs configuration on a Windows laptop?
To create a backup of the current startup programs configuration on a Windows laptop, you can follow these steps:
- Press "Windows + R" on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
- Type "msconfig" and hit Enter. This will open the System Configuration utility.
- In the System Configuration window, go to the "Startup" tab.
- You will see a list of startup programs with checkboxes next to them. Make a note of the programs you want to backup their configuration.
- Open File Explorer and navigate to this location: "C:\Users[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup". Replace "[Your Username]" with your actual username.
- In this folder, you will find shortcuts to the startup programs. Copy the shortcuts of the programs you want to backup to a safe location, such as an external hard drive or a cloud storage service.
- Additionally, you can also take a screenshot of the System Configuration window or write down any other important settings you might want to remember.
By following these steps, you can create a backup of the current startup programs configuration on your Windows laptop. In case you need to restore the configuration, you can simply copy the shortcuts back to the original location.
