Table of Contents
Is Microsoft’s New Startup Boost the Annoying Solution Windows Users Have Been Waiting For?
Microsoft recently announced that Office apps, starting with Word, will open much faster on Windows 11. This new feature, called Startup Boost, began rolling out in late June 2025 and should reach all users by September’s end.
What Makes This Feature Special
Windows computers have always been slow. They take forever to start up. Apps open slowly. Even closing programs feels sluggish. Most regular users just deal with this frustration every day. Microsoft knows this problem exists and finally decided to fix it.
Startup Boost works differently than normal app loading. Instead of starting Word from scratch each time, it keeps the app in a “paused” state. Think of it like putting a book down but keeping your finger on the page. When you want to read again, you just open to where you left off.
How the System Actually Works
The feature uses Windows Task Scheduler, a built-in tool that runs background tasks automatically. Two new tasks will appear:
- Office Startup Boost
- Office Startup Boost Logon
These tasks work together to preload Office apps. But they’re smart about timing. The system waits 10 minutes after you log in before starting. This prevents your computer from slowing down right when you need it most.
The feature only activates for apps you’ve used recently. If you haven’t opened Excel in weeks, Startup Boost won’t waste resources preparing it. This smart approach saves battery life and processing power.
Requirements and Settings
Your computer needs specific specs for Startup Boost to work:
- At least 8GB of RAM
- 5GB of free storage space
- Energy Saver mode must be off
The feature turns on automatically for eligible devices. You can control it through Word’s settings: Options > General > Startup Options. A simple checkbox lets you enable or disable Startup Boost whenever you want.
Who Benefits Most
Microsoft first announced this feature in their IT admin center, suggesting enterprise customers are the main target. Businesses often need Word to open instantly for productivity reasons. However, regular home users will also see the speed improvements.
Office workers who open and close Word multiple times daily will notice the biggest difference. Students writing papers or anyone doing frequent document work should see real time savings.
The Technical Details
Currently, only Word supports Startup Boost. Microsoft plans to add Excel and PowerPoint later but hasn’t given specific dates. The gradual rollout approach lets them fix problems before reaching millions of users.
If you disable the feature manually, Office updates will turn it back on. This means you’ll need to disable it again after each update. However, IT administrators can use Group Policy to permanently disable Startup Boost across entire organizations.
Safety and Performance Impact
Disabling Startup Boost is completely safe. Microsoft warns that turning it off might make Office apps load slower, but it won’t damage your computer or cause data loss.
The feature doesn’t use AI to learn your usage patterns, which seems like a missed opportunity. Modern computers have special AI chips that could make this feature even smarter.
Real-World Impact
Windows performance has frustrated users for decades. This single improvement could save millions of people a few seconds every time they open Word. Those seconds add up to hours over months of regular use.
For businesses, faster app loading means employees spend less time waiting and more time working. This small change could have measurable productivity benefits across entire companies.