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Troubleshooting

Each section names a symptom, its usual cause and the steps that solve it. For short answers to general questions, see the FAQ.

An action is unavailable or greyed out​

Cause: The entry applies to the whole computer and requires administrator rights, is protected, or does not support the action. Drivers are listed for information only. Delay is available only for eligible services and scheduled tasks.

Solution:

  1. Choose File > Restart as administrator and approve the Windows prompt.
  2. Select the entry again and open Actions or its context menu.
  3. If the action is still unavailable, check the source and scope in the details area. Registry Run entries, Startup-folder shortcuts and Store startup tasks cannot be delayed; drivers cannot be changed.

An entry is missing from the list​

Cause: The current view, the search text or the selected sources and filters hide the entry. A hidden source is still scanned, but its rows are not shown.

Solution:

  1. Switch to the All view.
  2. Clear the search field.
  3. Open Sources and enable all sources; then check the Microsoft-entry and unchangeable-entry filters.

Boot time shows "Not measured"​

Cause: Windows has not recorded a suitable boot in its Diagnostics-Performance log, or reading the log requires administrator rights. A missing measurement is not a boot time of zero.

Solution:

  1. Choose File > Restart as administrator if the interface reports a permissions limitation.
  2. Restart Windows and open the application again; the log needs a completed boot.
  3. Compare several boots under similar conditions before judging a change. See Boot measurements and entry details.

A disabled entry starts again​

Cause: An application update, repair or a policy recreated the startup registration.

Solution:

  1. Select the entry and check its source and command in the details area.
  2. Open the settings of the owning application and turn off its start with Windows there.
  3. Disable the entry again in StartupManager and test the result at the next sign-in.

A program or device no longer works after a change​

Cause: A required helper, service or scheduled task was disabled or delayed. Security software and hardware tools often depend on such entries.

Solution:

  1. Open the Disabled view.
  2. Select the entry and choose Enable. For a delayed service or task, choose the entry and remove the delay if the action is offered; otherwise restore the setting in the owning application.
  3. Sign in again or restart Windows and check the program.

A deleted entry is needed again​

Cause: Deletion removes the startup registration; there is no general undo.

Solution:

  1. Open the settings of the owning application and enable its automatic start again.
  2. If the option does not exist, repair or reinstall the application.
  3. Next time, prefer Disable to try a change; see Enable, disable, delay and delete.

Windows asks for approval or the application restarts​

Cause: You chose File > Restart as administrator, or an action required elevation. Windows shows its User Account Control prompt and the application restarts with administrator rights.

Solution:

  1. Approve the prompt. The list is scanned again after the restart.
  2. If you decline, the application continues with the current user's rights and whole-computer entries remain unchangeable.