What startup programs are and why they slow your computer down
When you turn on your computer, dozens of programs may launch automatically in the background before you even open anything. These startup programs run without you asking them to — they were set to start this way either by the software maker or by you at some point. Each one uses memory and processing power, which is why a computer with many startup programs feels sluggish during the first few minutes after you turn it on.
Most startup programs are not necessary for your computer to work. Your antivirus software, for example, needs to start automatically. But a printer utility, a cloud storage app, or a game launcher does not. Disabling the ones you do not use regularly will free up resources and let your computer boot faster.
The steps differ slightly between Windows and Mac, and the exact names of programs on your screen will depend on what you have installed. But the principle is the same: you tell your computer which programs should and should not start automatically.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open Task Manager, click the Startup tab, and right-click any program you do not need to disable it — you can always turn it back on later.
- On Mac, go to System Settings, click General, then Login Items, and remove programs from the list by clicking the minus button.
- Disabling a startup program does not uninstall it or delete it — the program still works normally when you open it yourself.
- If you disable something and your computer stops working the way it should, you can re-enable it in the same place.
- Antivirus software, Windows Defender, and security tools should usually stay enabled, but printer utilities and game launchers are safe to turn off.
How to disable startup programs on Windows
Right-click the taskbar at the bottom of your screen and select Task Manager from the menu. If you do not see Task Manager in the menu, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard instead — this opens Task Manager directly.
Once Task Manager opens, look for a tab labeled Startup near the top. Click it. You will see a list of programs with a column that says "Status" — this shows whether each program is currently set to start automatically (it will say "Enabled") or not (it will say "Disabled").
Find a program you do not need to start automatically. Right-click its name and select Disable. The status will change to "Disabled" when ready. You do not need to restart your computer for this to take effect — the next time you turn on your computer, that program will not launch automatically.
If you are unsure whether a program is safe to disable, look at its name. Programs like "Adobe Update", "Spotify", "Discord", "OneDrive", or printer names are usually safe to disable. Programs with names like "Windows Defender", "Antivirus", or your security software should stay enabled. When in doubt, leave it alone — you can always disable it later if you notice your computer is still slow.
How to disable startup programs on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings. On older Macs, this may be called System Preferences instead.
In System Settings, click General in the left sidebar. Then click Login Items. You will see a list of programs that start automatically when you log in.
Click any program you want to stop from starting automatically, then click the minus button (−) below the list. The program will disappear from the list. The next time you restart your Mac, that program will not launch automatically.
If your Mac is newer and you see a section called "Allow in the Login Window", that is a separate list of programs that appear on your login screen. You can remove programs from that list the same way — click the program and click the minus button.
What happens when you disable a startup program
Disabling a startup program does not uninstall it or delete it from your computer. The program is still there, and it will still work normally when you open it yourself. You are only telling your computer not to launch it automatically when you start up.
For example, if you disable Spotify from startup, Spotify will not open when you turn on your computer. But you can still click the Spotify icon and open it whenever you want to listen to music. Nothing changes except the timing of when it starts.
This also means you can always change your mind. If you disable a program and later decide you want it to start automatically again, you can go back to Task Manager (Windows) or Login Items (Mac) and re-enable it. Just right-click the program name in Task Manager and select Enable, or click the plus button in Mac's Login Items.
Which programs are usually safe to disable
Most programs that come with software you installed are safe to disable. This includes cloud storage apps (OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox), messaging apps (Discord, Slack, Teams), media players (Spotify, iTunes), printer utilities, and game launchers (Steam, Epic Games). These programs are convenient to have running in the background if you use them constantly, but they are not necessary for your computer to function.
Programs you should not disable include your antivirus software, Windows Defender (on Windows), Windows Update, and any security tools from your computer maker. These protect your computer from threats and keep it find. If you are not sure what a program does, search its name online before disabling it — a quick search usually tells you whether it is safe to turn off.
If you have a laptop, you might also want to keep battery management software enabled, as it helps your laptop run longer on battery power. But again, if you are unsure, leaving it alone is the safer choice.
What to do if disabling a program causes problems
If you disable a startup program and then notice something stops working the way it should — for example, your printer no longer prints, or your cloud storage stops syncing — the program you disabled is probably necessary for that function. Go back to Task Manager or Login Items and re-enable it.
Re-enabling a program is quick and reversible. On Windows, right-click the program name in the Startup tab and select Enable. On Mac, click the plus button in Login Items and select the program from the list. Your computer will start that program automatically again the next time you restart.
If you disabled multiple programs and are not sure which one caused the problem, re-enable them one at a time and restart your computer after each one. This way you can figure out which program you actually need.
How to check if your changes made a difference
The easiest way to see if disabling startup programs helped is to pay attention to how long your computer takes to start up and become usable. Turn off your computer completely, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on. Time how long it takes from the moment you press the power button until you can click on things and open programs without the computer feeling slow or frozen.
If you disabled several programs, you should notice the startup process is noticeably faster. The more programs you disable, the faster your computer will start. You may also notice that your computer feels more responsive during the first few minutes after startup, because fewer programs are competing for memory and processing power.
If you do not notice much difference, you may not have had many startup programs running in the first place, or the programs you disabled were not using much power. That is fine — at least you know your startup is as lean as it can be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disable Windows Update or Windows Defender?
You can disable Windows Defender from startup, but it is not recommended. Windows Defender protects your computer from viruses and malware. If you disable it, your computer becomes vulnerable. Windows Update should also stay enabled so your computer receives security patches. If either of these is slowing your computer down, the problem is usually something else.
What if I cannot find the Startup tab in Task Manager?
Make sure you are looking at the full Task Manager window, not the simplified view. If you see only a few tabs at the top, click "More details" at the bottom of the window. The Startup tab will then appear. If you still do not see it, your version of Windows may be older — the Startup tab is available on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Do I need to restart my computer after disabling a startup program?
No. Disabling a startup program takes effect the next time you restart your computer, but you do not need to restart when ready. The program will continue to run if it is already open — you are only preventing it from launching automatically on the next startup.
Will disabling startup programs make my computer faster all the time, or just at startup?
Mainly at startup. Disabling startup programs makes the biggest difference in how long your computer takes to turn on and become usable. Once your computer is fully started, the difference is usually smaller, though you may notice slightly better performance if the programs you disabled use a lot of memory.
Can I disable programs I do not recognize?
Search the program name online before disabling it. Many programs have names that do not clearly explain what they do. A quick search will tell you whether it is safe to disable. If you cannot find information about it, it is safer to leave it alone unless you are certain you do not need it.