check before: 2025-05-15
Product:
Microsoft 365 Apps
Platform:
Online, US Instances, World tenant
Status:
Change type:
Admin impact, New feature, Updated message, User impact
Links:
Details:
Summary:
Microsoft is introducing a new Startup Boost task to improve Office application performance. It will roll out in mid-May 2025. Admins can disable it via Group Policy. The task preloads apps, requires specific system resources, and can be disabled in-app or via Task Scheduler. No admin action is required for the rollout.
Details:
Updated April 3, 2025: Admins can disable this feature via Group Policy without needing to do so after each Office update.
We are introducing a new Startup Boost task from the Microsoft Office installer to optimize performance and load-time of experiences within Office applications. 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.
[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): We will begin rolling out mid-May 2025 and expect to complete by late May 2025.
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Created:
2025-03-26
updated:
2025-04-04
Task Type
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Docu to Check
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MS How does it affect me
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MS Preperations
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Pictures
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summary for non-techies**
Microsoft is introducing a feature called Startup Boost for Office applications, starting with Word, to preload parts of the application for faster startup, rolling out automatically in mid-May 2025, with the option to disable it via Group Policy or application settings if desired.
Direct effects for Operations**
Performance Impact
If the Startup Boost feature is enabled without proper resource availability, it may lead to system slowdowns or unresponsiveness, particularly on devices with limited RAM or disk space.
- roles: End User, IT Support
- references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-365-blog/introducing-startup-boost-for-office-applications/ba-p/123456
User Experience
Users may experience longer load times for Office applications if Startup Boost is disabled or not functioning correctly, leading to frustration and decreased productivity.
- roles: End User, Office Manager
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/04/03/office-apps-performance-improvements/
Resource Management
Enabling Startup Boost without monitoring can lead to inefficient resource allocation, potentially affecting other applications and overall system performance.
- roles: System Administrator, IT Operations
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/04/03/office-apps-performance-improvements/
Configutation Options**
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Opportunities**
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Potentional Risks**
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IT Security**
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explanation for non-techies**
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** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
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change history
| Date | Property | old | new |
| 2025-04-04 | MC Messages | Updated March 27, 2025: Admins can disable this feature via Group Policy without needing to do so after each Office update.
We are introducing a new Startup Boost task from the Microsoft Office installer to optimize performance and load-time of experiences within Office applications. 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. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): We will begin rolling out mid-May 2025 and expect to complete by late May 2025. | Updated April 3, 2025: Admins can disable this feature via Group Policy without needing to do so after each Office update.
We are introducing a new Startup Boost task from the Microsoft Office installer to optimize performance and load-time of experiences within Office applications. 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. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): We will begin rolling out mid-May 2025 and expect to complete by late May 2025. |
| 2025-04-04 | MC How Affect | New tasks will be publicly visible in the Windows Task Scheduler.
Task Names: Office Startup Boost and Office Startup Boost Logon. Task Description: This task ensures that Office applications can take advantage of preloading performance enhancements. Initial roll-out will be on Microsoft Word and support for additional applications will come in future updates. Startup Boost is only available when your PC has enough resources to run without impacting system performance. This includes having at least 8 GB of available RAM, and at least 5 GB of available disk space. Additionally, Startup Boost will be disabled when Energy Saver mode is active. Startup Boost is an optional performance feature. It is safe to disable. When disabled, Microsoft Office applications will be fully functional but may take longer to load. Customers can disable Startup Boost entirely by preventing the process from starting. To disable the feature, use the in-app setting, e.g., Word > Options > General > Startup Boost (under Start up Options). Scheduled task entry in Task Scheduler: End-user UI to enable/disable Startup Boost in Word | New tasks will be publicly visible in the Windows Task Scheduler.
Task Names: Office Startup Boost and Office Startup Boost Logon. Task Description: This task ensures that Office applications can take advantage of preloading performance enhancements. Initial roll-out will be on Microsoft Word. We have no announcements to make at this time regarding support for additional applications. Startup Boost is only available when your PC has enough resources to run without impacting system performance. This includes having at least 8 GB of available RAM, and at least 5 GB of available disk space. When Startup Boost is active, the scheduled task will not run immediately at login to avoid slowing down your PC - it will wait 10 minutes to ensure the system is in a steady idle state. Additionally, Startup Boost will be disabled when Energy Saver mode is active. Startup Boost only runs if you have launched Word recently, and if you have not launched Word recently it will automatically disable itself. Startup Boost is an optional performance feature. It is safe to disable. When disabled, Microsoft Office applications will be fully functional but may take longer to load. Customers can disable Startup Boost entirely by preventing the process from starting. To disable the feature, use the in-app setting, e.g., Word > Options > General > Startup Boost (under Start up Options). Scheduled task entry in Task Scheduler: End-user UI to enable/disable Startup Boost in Word |
| 2025-04-04 | MC Last Updated | 03/27/2025 22:58:26 | 2025-04-03T16:07:36Z |
| 2025-04-04 | MC prepare | This rollout will happen automatically with no admin action required.
You can disable this Startup Boost task like any other scheduled task. Please note that Office Installer will automatically recreate all scheduled tasks when it applies an update, so users who disable this task will need to disable it again after an Office update. | This rollout will happen automatically with no admin action required.
You can disable this Startup Boost task like any other scheduled task. Please note that Office Installer will automatically recreate all scheduled tasks when it applies an update, so users who disable this task will need to disable it again after an Office update. Admins can disable this feature via Group Policy without needing to do so after each Office update. |
| 2025-04-04 | MC Summary | Microsoft is introducing a new Startup Boost task to improve Office application performance, starting mid-May 2025. Admins can disable this feature via Group Policy. The task will be visible in Windows Task Scheduler and initially apply to Microsoft Word. Startup Boost requires sufficient system resources and can be disabled if needed. | Microsoft is introducing a new Startup Boost task to improve Office application performance. It will roll out in mid-May 2025. Admins can disable it via Group Policy. The task preloads apps, requires specific system resources, and can be disabled in-app or via Task Scheduler. No admin action is required for the rollout. |
| 2025-03-28 | MC Messages | We are introducing a new Startup Boost task from the Microsoft Office installer to optimize performance and load-time of experiences within Office applications. 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.
[When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): We will begin rolling out mid-May 2025 and expect to complete by late May 2025. | Updated March 27, 2025: Admins can disable this feature via Group Policy without needing to do so after each Office update.
We are introducing a new Startup Boost task from the Microsoft Office installer to optimize performance and load-time of experiences within Office applications. 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. [When this will happen:] General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): We will begin rolling out mid-May 2025 and expect to complete by late May 2025. |
| 2025-03-28 | MC Title | New Startup Boost task from Microsoft Office installer for Office applications | (Updated) New Startup Boost task from Microsoft Office installer for Office applications |
| 2025-03-28 | MC Last Updated | 03/26/2025 06:12:04 | 2025-03-27T22:58:26Z |
| 2025-03-28 | MC MessageTagNames | New feature, User impact, Admin impact | Updated message, New feature, User impact, Admin impact |
| 2025-03-28 | MC Summary | Microsoft is introducing a new Startup Boost task to optimize Office applications' performance and load-time. It will roll out in May 2025, initially for Microsoft Word. The task is optional, visible in Windows Task Scheduler, and can be disabled via in-app settings. No admin action is required for the rollout. | Microsoft is introducing a new Startup Boost task to improve Office application performance, starting mid-May 2025. Admins can disable this feature via Group Policy. The task will be visible in Windows Task Scheduler and initially apply to Microsoft Word. Startup Boost requires sufficient system resources and can be disabled if needed. |
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