How to find and disable startup apps on Windows and Mac
When your computer boots up, it often launches programs you did not ask it to open. These startup apps run in the background automatically, slowing down your startup time and consuming memory even when you are not using them. You can stop most of them from opening at startup by changing a single setting — the method differs slightly between Windows and Mac, but both take less than five minutes.
The apps that launch at startup are usually there because you installed them that way, or because the program's installer added itself to your startup list without asking. Some are genuinely useful — your antivirus software, for example, or a password manager you use constantly. Others are bloatware that came with your computer or programs you installed once and forgot about. Turning off the ones you do not need speeds up your boot time noticeably and frees up memory for the programs you actually want to run.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open Task Manager, click the Startup tab, right-click any app, and select Disable to stop it from launching when your computer starts.
- On Mac, go to System Settings, click General, then Login Items, and remove apps from the list by clicking the minus button next to each one.
- Disabling a startup app does not uninstall it — you can still open it manually whenever you need it.
- Some apps like antivirus software are worth keeping in startup; others like Spotify or Slack can wait until you actually want to use them.
- If you disable something and your computer stops working correctly, you can always re-enable it the same way.
Disable startup apps on Windows 10 and 11
Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard, or right-click the taskbar at the bottom of your screen and select Task Manager. If Task Manager opens to a simple view, click Details in the bottom left corner to see the full version.
Click the Startup tab at the top. You will see a list of every program set to launch when Windows starts. Each one shows a status — either Enabled or Disabled — and an Impact rating that tells you how much that app slows down your boot time. High impact apps like Spotify or Slack are safe to disable if you do not need them running constantly.
Right-click any app you want to stop from launching at startup and select Disable. The status will change to Disabled immediately. You do not need to restart your computer for this to take effect — the change applies the next time you boot up. If you change your mind later, you can right-click the same app and select Enable to turn it back on.
Disable startup apps on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. In the sidebar on the left, click General, then click Login Items. You will see two sections: one for apps that open at login, and another for apps allowed to run in the background.
To stop an app from opening when you log in, find it in the first section and click the minus button (−) next to its name. The app will disappear from the list. To prevent an app from running in the background even when you have not opened it, find it in the second section and toggle the switch off. Both changes take effect the next time you restart your Mac.
Which apps are safe to disable
Most programs you installed yourself — Slack, Discord, Spotify, web browsers, games — are safe to disable from startup. You can open them manually whenever you need them, and disabling them saves memory and speeds up your boot time. The only downside is that they will not be running in the background waiting for you.
Some apps should usually stay enabled. Your antivirus or security software needs to run at startup to protect your computer from the moment it boots. Password managers like 1Password or Bitwarden are often worth keeping enabled so they are ready when you need to log into something. Cloud storage apps like OneDrive or Google Drive may need to stay enabled if you rely on them to sync files constantly. If you are not sure whether an app is important, search for its name online or check the publisher's website — most legitimate software explains whether it needs to run at startup.
If you disable something and your computer stops working correctly — for example, your printer stops responding, or your monitor brightness controls disappear — go back to the Startup tab or Login Items and re-enable it. You can always turn it back on.
What happens when you disable a startup app
Disabling a startup app does not uninstall it or delete any of your files. The program stays on your computer exactly as it was. The only change is that it will not launch automatically when you start your computer. You can still open it manually by clicking its icon, searching for it in the Start menu or Spotlight, or double-clicking its file.
If a program you disabled later updates itself, it may re-enable itself in your startup list. This is common with software from major publishers like Microsoft or Adobe. If you notice an app you disabled has turned back on, you can disable it again using the same steps.
How to speed up startup beyond disabling apps
Disabling unnecessary startup apps is the single most effective way to speed up your boot time, but you can do a few other things. On Windows, you can disable visual effects like animations and transparency — right-click This PC, select Properties, click Advanced system settings, and under Performance click Settings, then choose Adjust for best performance. On Mac, fewer options exist, but restarting your computer regularly and keeping your hard drive at least 10 percent empty both help.
If your computer is still slow to start after disabling apps, the problem may be a full hard drive, a failing disk, or malware. A full drive slows everything down; if you have less than 10 percent free space, delete old files or move them to cloud storage. If you suspect malware, run a full scan with your antivirus software or take your computer to a technician.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling a startup app break anything?
No. Disabling a startup app only stops it from launching automatically — the program itself is unchanged and still on your computer. If disabling something causes a problem, you can re-enable it immediately using the same steps. Most apps you install yourself are completely safe to disable.
Can I disable startup apps on my phone?
On Android, go to Settings, Apps, and look for a Startup or Autostart section — the exact location varies by manufacturer. On iPhone, you cannot prevent apps from launching at startup the way you can on a computer, but you can disable background app refresh for individual apps in Settings, App Store, then Background App Refresh.
Why do some apps keep re-enabling themselves in startup?
Software updates sometimes reset your startup settings. This is especially common with programs from large companies like Microsoft, Adobe, or Zoom. If an app keeps re-enabling itself, you can disable it again, or check the program's settings to see if there is an option to prevent it from launching at startup.
Does disabling startup apps actually make my computer faster?
Yes, but the amount depends on which apps you disable. Disabling one or two small programs might save a few seconds. Disabling multiple large programs like Spotify, Discord, and Slack can cut your startup time in half. The impact is most noticeable on older computers or computers with slower hard drives.
What if I do not recognize an app in my startup list?
Search for the app's name online or check the publisher column in Task Manager to see who made it. If it came with your computer, it is probably safe to disable. If it is something you do not recognize and cannot find information about, you can disable it and see if anything stops working — if not, it was not important.