When you start your computer, relevant Office applications will automatically launch in the background. These apps will remain in a paused state until you need to use them, providing a quicker access when the time comes. To benefit from this new feature, known as Startup Boost, your PC must have at least 5GB of free storage and 8GB of memory. It’s important to note that Startup Boost can be automatically disabled if your computer requires those resources or if it enters power-saving mode.
If you prefer not to use this feature at all, there is an option to completely turn off Startup Boost in your settings. The concept of auto-launching applications at startup is not revolutionary and has existed in various forms for decades. However, the innovation here lies in the ability to keep these applications in a paused state while they are not actively in use. This enhancement can make the feature significantly more practical for users seeking efficiency.
Startup Boost began its rollout in June, with the expectation that it would be available to all users by September. Currently, this feature is limited to Microsoft Word, though there are plans to expand it to other applications like Excel and PowerPoint in the future. This incremental improvement aims to streamline user experience while working across Microsoft Office programs.