How to stop apps from opening on startup

Get rid of those pesky apps starting up with your computer in just a few steps

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Even if you’re running one of thebest computersout there, learning how to stop apps from opening on startup is going to save you from more than one headache. That’s because having all these different programs boot up with your PC or laptop is going to slow it down no matter how powerful. And, the weaker that computer is, the longer it will take to wake.

While it’s not readily apparent that you can stop these programs from starting up with your computer, it’s actually a fairly easy process. You just have to know what to do. With that in mind, we’ve laid out the steps you need to take so that you don’t need to wait forPhotoshoporSteamto finish opening before you can start using your computer.

Just be aware that while doing this process on macOS is almost as simple, these particular steps are forWindows 10and 11-equipped devices.

Steps for how to stop apps from opening on startup

Tools and Requirements

Step by step guide

1. Open app settings

Go to the search bar and type inSettings.OpenSettings. Then, look on the list of options on the left to find andclick Apps.

2. Go to startup settings

Click onStartuplisted at the bottom of the App Settings options. You can also go directly here by typing inStartup Settingsin the search bar.

3. Deselect apps

The settings app should show a list of installed apps capable of opening on start-up, along with a slider out to the right indicating whether they’re currently starting up when the computer does. Go ahead anddeselect any appyou want to keep from opening when Windows starts up.

Final thoughts

As you can see, disabling apps from opening on startup is very easy. There is also a way to do this using the MSConfig or Task Manager app, but we recommend against doing it that way if you don’t have to. That’s for the simple reason that you might be tempted to disable every app from loading on startup to speed up your computer, yet some of the processes listed there are critical for the functioning of your computer. Following the steps listed above will only show you apps that are safe to disable.

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James Holland loves checking out gadgets of all sorts, whether it’s audio equipment, laptops, or vacuums (especially of the robot variety), and does so for a number of Future Publications including TechRadar, Top Ten Reviews, Homes & Gardens, and T3. He’s built up an expertise for in-depth reviewing over the last four years. When he’s not putting in the work on the latest tech, he loves to travel, play music, and eat questionable food.

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