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Do you want to know how to stop programs from running at startup? 

Apps like Spotify and Adobe Acrobat can muscle their way into your startup apps, whether you need them or not. And this can affect your PC’s overall performance. 

It’s true and important that some applications should start automatically, like your antivirus software and programs like Auslogics BoostSpeed that keeps your PC working in perfect health. 

However, you don’t need some apps running at startup because they chew up memory and resources. 

But don’t worry. We’ll show you how to fight back. Keep reading to learn how to stop apps from opening on startup!

Windows 11 has a slightly different interface compared to the previous version. And even though there are speculations of Windows 12 being developed, the steps to disable startup programs won’t be that far off. 

I’ll show you how to disable startup programs using various easy methods.

How to Stop Apps from Opening on Startup in Windows 10/11?

Method 1: Use Windows Settings

Here’s how to stop apps from opening on startup in Windows 11 and 10. 

Windows 11

Here’s how to disable Windows 11 startup programs using Windows settings. 

  • Go to the Settings window by pressing the Windows + I shortcut.
  • Then, select Apps found on the left menu and click Startup.
Apps Startup
  • Turn off any programs or apps that you don’t want to run automatically on startup.
Apps that launch on Startup

That’s it! This should resolve the problem.

Windows 10 

Here’s how to remove Windows 10 startup programs using the Settings window. 

  • Open the Start menu, click the Settings button, and select Apps.
  • Click Startup on the left side and turn off any programs that are not essential or that you don’t want running at startup.

Method 2: Use the Task Manager

Here’s how to stop apps from opening on startup using the Task Manager. 

Windows 11 

Here’s how to remove startup programs on Windows 11 using the Task Manager: 

  • Open the Task Manager by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Esc shortcut and click the Startup apps tab.
  • Right-click on the app you want to switch off and select Disable.

Windows 10 

Here’s how to disable startup programs on Windows 10 via the Task Manager:

  • Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc shortcut on your keyboard and click the Startup tab.
Task Manager Startup
  • Right-click on the app you want to remove and select Disable.
PRO TIP

When deciding which apps to disable from startup, you should consider two factors: necessity and startup impact. It goes without saying that critical programs like antivirus software should remain enabled, while non-essential apps (e.g., music players, game launchers) can be disabled. 

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Startup impact (High, Medium, Low, or None) is a metric that is displayed next to each program in the Task Manager and in the Startup apps menu in Settings and indicates how much each program affects your system’s boot time. Disabling high-impact apps will have the most significant effect on improving your system’s startup performance.[/sc]

Method 3: Use Auslogics BoostSpeed to disable startup programs

If you’ve not installed Auslogics BoostSpeed on your PC, you’re surely missing out! 

I’ve been using this program for years, and it has one goal: to optimize and improve the performance and overall health of your computer. 

Check it out: Speed Up Slow Computer as a Pro – Introducing Auslogics BoostSpeed 13

Method 4: Check your Startup folder

The Startup folder contains apps that are set to run at startup. However, it only displays the apps you’ve added to the folder yourself, so if you or someone else has ever copied any program shortcuts to this folder, you can manually delete them to prevent these programs from running on startup. Here’s how to get to the Startup folder:

  • Press Win + R; it will open the Run dialog.
  • Type shell:startup and press Enter. This will open the Startup folder.
  • Right-click and delete any shortcuts for programs you don’t want to start automatically.

Method 5: Use the Windows Registry

If you want to learn how to stop programs from running at startup using the Windows Registry, check out this method.

Warning
This method is really not necessary because the previous steps should work just fine. Plus, it can cause serious issues to your system if you don’t know what you’re doing.

However, if you still want to proceed, I strongly suggest that you back up your files in case something goes wrong. 

  • Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Then, type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. 
  • When the Registry Editor opens, go to the following path or copy and paste this path into the search field:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Registry Editor HKEY LOCAL
  • Right-click the REG_SZ string value for a startup item and select Delete. 
  • There are other registry keys that have startup items. Use the path below to find more and delete them one by one: 
Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartupApproved\Run

Related: How to Back Up and Restore the Windows 10 Registry

PRO TIP
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Conclusion

So there you have it. Use the methods I’ve talked about in this guide if you want to know how to stop apps from opening on startup in Windows 10 and 11.

As you can see, these are easy steps that require only a few steps. I know I’ve said it before, but Auslogics BoostSpeed is truly a lifesaver.

I recommend installing it to improve your computer’s performance, especially if your work uses intensive resources. That’s to you, gamers!

If this article has been helpful to you, please share it with your friends and anyone who may find it helpful too.

Also, if you have any methods I didn’t mention, share them in the comment below and let’s keep the conversation going!

FAQ

Not at all. It’s very important to keep some programs like your system drivers and antivirus programs enabled. These programs need to run to keep your PC operating smoothly. But you can disable startup programs like Zoom, Spotify, and chat apps because they won’t affect your system’s performance.
First of all, consider disabling apps you don’t frequently use and the ones with the highest impact on system’s performance. Go to the Task Manager, click the Startup apps, and check out the apps with a High impact. However, be aware as disabling necessary programs may affect certain functionalities. For example, if Google Chrome is set to High, you can disable it because it won’t affect your system’s performance. However, if your antivirus is set to High, leave it.
It depends on the situation. The purpose of Fast Startup is to help your computer boot up quickly by saving some system information when you shut it down. However, this feature can also cause problems with some hardware and drivers, causing performance issues. So, you can disable it to fix the issue. That said, Fast Startup usually works as intended, so it’s generally better to leave it enabled.