Exploring Microsoft’s New “Startup Boost”Feature for Office Apps
Microsoft has introduced an innovative feature called Startup Boost, designed to enhance the launch speed of Office applications like Word right when Windows 10 or 11 starts up. This feature aims to load the applications in the background, allowing them to be more readily available for users upon clicking them.
Requirements and Functionality
However, it’s essential to note that Startup Boost won’t be available to all users. Microsoft has set specific requirements: your system must maintain a minimum of 8 GB of RAM and at least 5 GB of free disk space. Additionally, if your PC is in Energy Saver mode, this feature will not be operational.
Initially intended to be activated by default, users will have the choice to enable or disable Startup Boost at their discretion. Disabling the feature might result in longer loading times for applications. To adjust this setting, users can navigate to Word > Options > General > Startup Boost within the app.
Automatic Task Recreation and User Concerns
While users can disable Startup Boost, there is an ongoing concern due to the Office Installer’s behavior regarding scheduled tasks. Microsoft has indicated that the installer will recreate all scheduled tasks following an update. This frequent renewal poses a challenge, especially for users who wish to permanently disable Startup Boost to prevent it from affecting system performance.
You can disable this Startup Boost task like any other scheduled task. Please note that Office Installer will automatically recreate all scheduled tasks when it applies an update, so users who disable this task will need to disable it again after an Office update. Admins can disable this feature via Group Policy without needing to do so after each Office update.
Timeline and Improvements in Implementation
The rollout for this feature was originally slated for May but has since been postponed to a June-September 2025 timeframe. During this adjustment period, Microsoft has recognized the issues surrounding task scheduler resets with application updates and has implemented several changes. A significant update is that IT administrators will now have the ability to apply Group Policy settings to permanently disable Startup Boost.
Moreover, additional enhancements include conditional execution: Startup Boost will only activate if Word has been launched recently. If not, the feature will temporarily disable itself to conserve system resources. Additionally, the scheduled task will no longer execute immediately upon login; it is set to wait ten minutes to ensure system stability.
Assessing User Experience and Future Adjustments
According to user reports, there may be inconsistencies in how Startup Boost is applied, particularly regarding its automatic enabling. Observations suggest that some users, when launching Word, have noted that the Energy Saver mode was turned off, leading to uncertainty about whether the feature will be activated by default.
Steps to Disable Startup Boost
If you prefer to disable the Startup Boost task, follow these steps:
- Right-click the Start button or run “compmgmt.msc”
- Open the Computer Management console
- Navigate to the Task Scheduler in the System Tools section
- Expand Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Office
- Right-click on the Office Start Up Boost task and select Disable
- Also, right-click on Office Start Up Boost Logon and hit Disable
For administrators accessing the Microsoft 365 Admin Center, further details can be found under message ID MC1041470.
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