Why programs open on startup and how to turn it off

When you turn on your computer, you may see applications launch automatically — Spotify, Discord, Slack, your email client, or others you installed months ago. These programs added themselves to your startup list, usually during installation when you did not uncheck a box, or because they decided to do it anyway. You can remove them.

The fastest way depends on your operating system. On Windows, you can see and disable startup programs in Settings. On Mac, the process is similar but uses System Settings instead. Both let you turn off individual programs without uninstalling them — they stay on your computer, they just do not launch when you boot up.

Removing unnecessary startup programs also speeds up your boot time and frees up memory while you work. A computer that launches ten background applications on startup uses more RAM and disk activity in those first minutes, which slows everything down until those programs finish loading.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can disable startup programs by opening Settings, going to Apps, then Startup, and toggling off any program you do not want to launch automatically.
  • Mac users should open System Settings, click General, then Login Items, and remove programs from the list by selecting them and clicking the minus button.
  • Disabling a startup program does not uninstall it — the program remains on your computer and you can still open it manually whenever you want.
  • Removing startup programs speeds up your boot time and reduces the amount of memory your computer uses while you work.
  • Some programs like antivirus software may need to stay in startup to work properly, so check what each program does before removing it.

How to disable startup programs on Windows

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the app that appears. Go to Apps in the left sidebar, then click Startup. You will see a list of every program set to launch when Windows starts, with a toggle switch next to each one.

Click the toggle next to any program you do not want to open automatically. The toggle will turn gray, meaning that program is now disabled. You can turn it back on later if you change your mind — just click the toggle again. Windows does not ask you to confirm; the change takes effect when ready.

Pay attention to programs you do not recognize. If you see something with a name like "SomethingUpdater" or "SomethingService", search for it online before disabling it — some legitimate programs use names that do not match their main process. Antivirus software, VPN clients, and backup programs often need to stay enabled to work properly.

How to disable startup programs on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click General in the sidebar, then click Login Items. You will see two lists: "Allow in the Login Window" and "Open at Login".

The "Open at Login" list is what you want to change. Select any program you do not want to launch automatically, then click the minus button below the list. The program disappears from the list when ready. If you want to add it back later, click the plus button and navigate to the process in your Applications folder.

Some programs also add themselves to "Allow in the Login Window", which controls which apps can run before you log in. You usually do not need to change this list, but you can remove programs from it the same way — select and click minus.

Which programs should stay enabled

Antivirus software, security tools, and VPN clients should usually stay in your startup list because they work in the background to protect your computer. If you disable them, they will not run unless you open them manually, which defeats their purpose. Check the program's settings or documentation if you are unsure whether it needs to run at startup.

Backup software like Backblaze, Carbonite, or Windows Backup also typically needs to stay enabled so it can back up your files automatically. Cloud storage services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox can go either way — if you want your files synced constantly, leave them enabled; if you only need them when you open them, disable them.

Productivity tools like Slack, Discord, or Teams are usually safe to disable. You can open them manually when you want to use them, and disabling them will not affect your ability to receive messages — you just will not see notifications until you launch the app yourself.

What to do if a program keeps re-enabling itself

Some programs, especially chat and messaging apps, will add themselves back to startup after you disable them. This usually happens when you update the program or when the program itself decides to re-enable the setting. If this frustrates you, your options are to disable it again each time it happens, or to uninstall the program entirely.

If you want to keep the program but stop it from re-enabling itself, check the program's own settings. Many applications have a preference for "Launch at startup" or "Run in background" that you can turn off inside the program itself. Disabling it there may prevent the program from re-adding itself to your startup list.

If the program continues to re-enable itself and you cannot find a setting to stop it, the program is being aggressive about running at startup. You can disable it in your startup list each time, or consider whether you actually need that program on your computer.

How startup programs affect your computer's performance

Every program that launches at startup uses memory (RAM) and disk space while it loads. If you have ten programs launching automatically, your computer spends the first minute or two loading them all, during which time everything feels slow. Once they finish loading, they continue using RAM even if you are not actively using them.

Disabling five or six unnecessary startup programs can noticeably speed up your boot time — sometimes by a minute or more, depending on what you disabled. The effect on overall performance while you work is usually smaller but still real: if you freed up 500 MB of RAM by disabling startup programs, that memory is now available for the applications you actually want to use.

The most impactful programs to disable are usually the ones that use the most resources. In your startup list, you may see a column showing CPU or memory usage — programs at the top of that list are using the most. Start by disabling those, then work your way down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling a startup program uninstall it?

No. Disabling a startup program only prevents it from launching automatically when you turn on your computer. The program stays installed on your computer, and you can still open it manually by clicking its icon or searching for it. To completely remove a program, you would need to uninstall it separately.

Can I disable Windows Defender or my antivirus from startup?

You can, but you should not. Antivirus and security software need to run at startup to protect your computer from threats. If you disable them, your computer will not be actively protected until you manually open the program. If you want to disable antivirus temporarily for testing, do it only for a few minutes and turn it back on when ready.

What if I disable a program and my computer stops working properly?

Go back to your startup list and re-enable the program. If you cannot remember which program you disabled, you can enable all of them again and then disable them one at a time to find the culprit. Most programs are safe to disable, but some system utilities or drivers may be necessary for your hardware to work correctly.

Why does a program keep adding itself back to startup after I disable it?

Some programs are designed to re-enable their startup setting automatically, especially messaging and productivity apps. Check the program's own settings menu for an option like "Launch at startup" or "Run in background" and disable it there. If the program continues to re-enable itself, you may need to uninstall it or accept that you will need to disable it periodically.

Does disabling startup programs make my computer faster?

Yes, but the effect depends on how many programs you disable and how much memory they use. You will notice the biggest improvement in boot time — your computer will start up faster. While you are working, the improvement is usually smaller but still real, because you have more RAM available for the programs you actually want to use.