How to Enable or Disable Restartable Apps on Windows 11
Windows 11 includes a feature that automatically restarts apps running in your previous session. This ability is meant to help you pick off from the last session more quickly upon sign-in.
While it can be helpful and convenient, you must enable it first. On the other hand, having apps from your previous session can decrease boot time since it uses your system’s resources, so you may want to turn it off.
The restartable apps feature isn’t enabled by default, and only Microsoft Store apps support the function. So, let’s look at how to enable or disable restartable apps on Windows 11.
How to Enable or Disable Restartable Apps on Windows 11
You can get right to your daily business routine and productivity if you enable the restartable apps function (not to be confused with Startup Apps). To enable the restartable apps feature, it’s a simple toggle switch. However, the feature isn’t exactly where you’d think it is.
To enable restartable apps on Windows 11, use these steps:
- Press the Windows key, then click Settings, or press Windows key + I to launch Settings directly.
- When the Settings app opens, click Accounts in the left sidebar.
- Scroll down to the Account settings section and click Sign-in options.
- Scroll down to the Additional settings section and toggle the Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in option.
- Close Settings.
All Microsoft Store apps that include the restartable apps functionality will launch automatically the next time you sign in to a new Windows session.
Also, remember that the apps need to be running when you sign out of Windows. If you’re not actively running the apps, only the ones you had open are restartable.
If you don’t like the feature due to slower boot times or other reasons, go back to Settings > Accounts > Account settings > Sign-in options. From there, flip the switch to toggle the Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in option to the Off position to disable the restartable apps function.
Restartable Apps on Windows 11
The restartable app feature for Microsoft Store apps is helpful, as the apps you were using will restart when you log in. While it affects boot time, having apps ready can help boost your productivity.
So, if you want traditional Win32 desktop apps to launch when you sign into Windows, you can make apps launch during startup on Windows 11. Or, you can disable startup apps and programs on Windows 11 if you want faster boot times and a clean start to your session.
And another feature on Windows 11 worth trying is enabling the Archive Apps function. You might also be interested in learning to run Android apps on Windows 11.
If you aren’t on Windows 11 yet, no worries. Windows 10 also includes the restartable apps feature that allows you to resume apps when you log in, just like Windows 11.
