Microsoft Office Apps to Add New Startup Boost Feature to Cut Down Office App Load Times

Microsoft is set to introduce Startup Boost, a new feature designed to enhance the performance and speed up the loading time of its Office apps. Starting in May, this feature will first be available for Microsoft Word users, with support for other Office apps coming in future updates.

“After the system performs the task, the app remains in a paused state until the app launches and the sequence resumes, or the system removes the app from memory to reclaim resources. The system can perform this task for an app after a device reboot and periodically as system conditions allow,” the company explained on the Microsoft 365 admin center.

Microsoft mentioned that Startup Boost will only be available if a computer has enough resources to run smoothly without affecting performance. For this feature to work, a PC must have at least 8 GB of free RAM and 5 GB of free disk space. Moreover, Startup Boost will automatically turn off when Energy Saver mode is active to prevent unnecessary resource usage.

Startup Boost will be an optional performance feature that will appear in Windows Task Scheduler and can be turned off through the app’s settings. It’s important to note that disabling this task won’t affect how Microsoft Office apps function, but they may take slightly longer to load.

Additionally, users will be able to choose to turn off Startup Boost completely from within the Office apps. For instance, in Microsoft Word, navigate to the Options menu, then General, and find the Startup Boost setting under Start up Options to disable it.

Startup Boost: Release timeline and key benefits

Microsoft will start rolling out Startup Boost to commercial and government customers in mid-May 2025, with general availability for all Office users by late May 2025. However, since the Office installer will reset scheduled tasks during updates, users who disable Startup Boost will need to turn it off again after each update.

The Startup Boost feature will help to enhance productivity by reducing the time it takes for Microsoft Office apps to launch, allowing users to start working almost instantly. This can be particularly beneficial in a professional setting where quick access to documents and tools is important.