How to prevent Discord from launching automatically

Discord starts automatically on Windows and Mac by default, but you can turn this off in the app's settings. The process takes less than a minute and works the same way on both systems — you disable the startup setting, close Discord, and it will no longer open when you restart your computer.

If you have already closed Discord and want to stop it from opening next time you start up, you can also remove it from your system's startup list without opening the app at all. Both methods work; the choice depends on whether Discord is currently running. Most people find the settings method faster, but the system-level approach is useful if Discord is frozen or you want to disable it before you ever launch it again.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Discord, click your username in the bottom left, select User Settings, then Appearance, scroll down to find "Open Discord" and toggle it off.
  • On Windows, you can also open Task Manager, go to the Startup tab, right-click Discord, and select Disable without opening the app.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings, General, Login Items, find Discord in the list, and click the minus button to remove it.
  • Discord will not open on startup after you restart your computer, but the app will still work normally when you open it manually.

Disable startup in Discord settings on Windows and Mac

This is the fastest method if Discord is already open. Click your username or avatar in the bottom left corner of the Discord window. A menu will appear with several options. Select User Settings from that menu.

On the left side of User Settings, you will see a list of categories. Scroll down and click Appearance. In the Appearance settings, scroll down until you find a toggle labeled "Open Discord" or sometimes "Auto-start Discord" — the exact wording varies by version. Toggle it off (it will turn gray instead of blue). Close Discord completely, and the next time you restart your computer, Discord will not open. You do not need to do anything else; the change takes effect on your next startup.

Remove Discord from Windows startup without opening the app

If Discord is already closed and you want to prevent it from opening on the next restart, you can disable it from Windows Task Manager. Right-click the taskbar at the bottom of your screen and select Task Manager. If Task Manager opens in a compact view, click More details at the bottom to expand it.

Click the Startup tab at the top. You will see a list of programs that run when Windows starts. Find Discord in the list, right-click it, and select Disable. The status will change to "Disabled." Close Task Manager. Discord will no longer start automatically when you restart your computer. This method is especially useful if Discord is not responding or if you want to manage startup programs all in one place.

Remove Discord from Mac login items

On Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click General in the sidebar on the left. Look for Login Items or Allow in the Login Window depending on your macOS version.

You will see a list of apps that start when you log in. Find Discord in the list. Click it once to select it, then click the minus button (–) below the list to remove it. Close System Settings. Discord will not open on startup after you restart your Mac. If you do not see Discord in the Login Items list, it may already be disabled, or you may need to check the "Allow in the Login Window" section instead.

What happens after you disable startup

Disabling startup does not uninstall Discord or change how it works when you open it manually. You can still launch Discord by clicking its icon on your desktop, in your Applications folder, or by searching for it. All your settings, servers, and messages remain exactly as they were.

The only change is that Discord will no longer run in the background before you open it. This can free up memory and reduce startup time for your computer, especially if you have many programs set to launch automatically. Your Discord account stays logged in on that computer, so when you do open the app, you will not need to sign in again.

Re-enable startup if you change your mind

If you want Discord to open automatically again, the process is the same in reverse. Open Discord, go to User Settings, click Appearance, find the "Open Discord" toggle, and turn it back on. On Windows Task Manager, right-click Discord in the Startup tab and select Enable. On Mac, go back to System Settings, General, Login Items, click the plus button, and select Discord from your Applications folder.

You can change this setting as many times as you want without any penalty or side effects. Some people disable it during work hours and re-enable it in the evening, or disable it temporarily while troubleshooting computer performance issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Discord still notify me if I disable startup?

No. If Discord is not running, it cannot send notifications. You will only see messages and mentions when you open the app manually. If you want notifications but do not want Discord running constantly, consider leaving it closed and opening it periodically instead.

Does disabling startup affect Discord on my phone?

No. This setting only controls whether Discord opens on your computer. Discord on your phone, tablet, or other devices is not affected and will work exactly as before.

Why does Discord keep opening on startup even after I disabled it?

Discord may have been re-enabled by an update. Check your User Settings again and make sure the toggle is still off. On Windows, also check Task Manager's Startup tab to confirm Discord shows as Disabled there.

Can I set Discord to open only on certain days?

No. Discord's startup setting is either on or off — there is no scheduling option. If you want Discord to open only sometimes, you will need to open it manually on those days.