# Windows Startup folder Individual startup folders are located at `C:\Users\$USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup` . The shared startup folder is at `C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup`; any shortcut placed here will spawn an application on *any* (normal) user login. (The "contents" of a user's Startup folder is the union of these two folders. If memory serves, the user folder will override the system folder for items with *exactly* the same name. Note that executables can be dropped into this folder in addition to shortcuts, though doing so may make it more difficult to hide a backdoor...)