Guide to Enabling or Disabling Startup Boost for Microsoft 365 (Office) Applications on Windows 11

Introducing the Startup Boost feature for Microsoft 365 (Office) apps, designed to quicken your application launch times significantly! Scheduled for a rollout starting mid-May 2025, this enhancement will first appear in the Word app and gradually cover other Microsoft 365 applications. Initially set to activated by default, you’ll have the flexibility to manage it manually at any time, turning it on or off based on your needs.

But what exactly is Startup Boost? This feature operates as a scheduled task running unobtrusively in the background during your system’s startup, preserving the Office apps in a dormant state. When you decide to utilize any app, it can resume almost instantaneously, saving valuable seconds from a more traditional launch.

Keep in mind that Startup Boost does come with some prerequisites: it requires your device to have a minimum of 8GB RAM and at least 5GB of free disk space. Furthermore, it strategically utilizes system resources, freeing them up as needed, particularly if you have the Energy Saver mode enabled on Windows 11, which could result in disabling this feature automatically.

In this guide, I’ll break down how to manage the Startup Boost settings effectively for Word initially, with plans for similar controls to be established for other Microsoft 365 Office applications like Excel and PowerPoint.

Enable Startup Boost for Microsoft 365 (Office) apps
Disable Startup Boost for Microsoft 365 (Office) apps

How to Enable Startup Boost for Microsoft 365 (Office) Apps

Activating the Startup Boost feature in your Office apps can grant you that much-needed efficiency. Here’s how:

Launch Word from your Windows 11 device.
Select Options located on the bottom left side of the menu.
Locate and check the box labeled Startup Boost to activate this feature.
Finalize your changes by clicking the OK button.

Now, the subsequent time you boot your computer, a designated task will spring into action at startup, keeping your Microsoft Office apps primed for immediate access!

How to Disable Startup Boost for Microsoft 365 (Office) Apps

Should you choose to deactivate the Startup Boost feature, you can follow these straightforward steps:

Open Word on your Windows 11 system.
Access the Options on the bottom left pane of the application.
Uncheck the Startup Boost option to disable it.
Confirm your settings by clicking the OK button.

Once these adjustments are made, the related task will cease to run at startup. However, your ability to launch Microsoft 365 apps remains unaffected—albeit with potentially slower initiation times.

Additionally, users can access the corresponding task through the Task Scheduler application via Task Scheduler > Task Scheduler Library > Office, where the task labeled “Office Startup Boost” is available for management. Be advised that future updates may automatically reactivate this feature, so the app options page remains the most effective way to manage Startup Boost settings.

If the Startup Boost feature doesn’t appear in your app, ensure you are operating the latest version. Updates can be checked and downloaded through Word > Account > Update Options, followed by selecting “Update Now”.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What systems meet the requirements for Startup Boost?

Startup Boost requires a system with at least 8 GB of RAM and 5 GB of available disk space. If your device does not meet these specifications, you won’t be able to activate this feature.

2. Will disabling Startup Boost affect my app’s performance?

Disabling Startup Boost may lead to longer load times when starting Microsoft 365 apps. However, regular functionality remains unaffected—you can still open and use your apps as you usually do.

3. Can I manage Startup Boost settings through Task Scheduler?

Yes, the Startup Boost task can be viewed and somewhat managed through the Task Scheduler app. However, it’s recommended to use the app options page for the most reliable control over this feature, as future updates may re-enable it.

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