Power users of Windows 11 may want to access their applications quicker by bypassing the Start Menu. The Shell command and some insider knowledge makes that possible.

The shell:startup command can help you with that. It opens the Startup folder for your user account; anything you place there will automatically launch when you log in.

The Shell command offers a handy way to view your Applications folder. Here's how it works--and why you might find the trick useful.

Open the Run Command window with the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut, and then type one of the following commands: shell:startup opens the Startup folder for the current user.

To access a shell command, just click on Start, Run and then type "shell:command." Don't try to use the shell:command at the command prompt (cmd.exe), as it will fail -- shell:command is not ...