Disable startup apps by opening your system settings and removing programs from the startup list
When you turn on your computer, dozens of programs may launch automatically in the background. Most of these are unnecessary — they slow down your startup time and consume memory while you work. You can remove almost all of them without breaking anything. The process differs slightly between Windows and Mac, but both let you see exactly which programs start automatically and turn them off one by one.
Startup apps are programs set to launch when your operating system boots. Some are essential: your antivirus software, for example, or drivers for hardware like printers. Most others — messaging apps, cloud storage, browser extensions, games — are there because the software maker wanted them running all the time, not because you need them to.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users can disable startup apps through Settings > Apps > Startup, where you see a list of every program set to launch automatically and can toggle each one off individually.
- Mac users open System Settings > General > Login Items and remove programs from the "Allow in the Login Window" list by selecting them and clicking the minus button.
- Disabling a startup app does not uninstall it — the program remains on your computer and you can still open it manually whenever you want.
- Some programs will re-enable themselves after updates, so you may need to disable them again periodically.
- Antivirus software, security tools, and hardware drivers should usually stay enabled unless you have a specific reason to turn them off.
How to disable startup apps on Windows 11 and Windows 10
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app that appears. Go to Apps in the left sidebar, then select Startup. You will see a list of every program Windows knows is set to launch automatically, along with a toggle switch next to each one.
Click the toggle next to any program you want to stop launching at startup. The toggle will turn gray, meaning that program is now disabled. You can re-enable it anytime by clicking the toggle again to turn it back on. Windows does not require you to restart your computer for these changes to take effect — the next time you shut down and turn on your computer, the disabled apps will not launch.
If you see a program in the startup list that you do not recognize, you can search for it online using its exact name. Many programs have generic names like "Service Host" or "Runtime Broker" that are part of Windows itself and should stay enabled. If you are unsure, leaving it enabled will not hurt anything — the worst outcome is a slightly slower startup.
How to disable startup apps on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Go to General in the left sidebar, then click Login Items. You will see two sections: "Allow in the Login Window" and "Allow when Locked." The first section is where startup apps live.
Select any program you want to stop launching automatically, then click the minus button below the list. The program disappears from the startup list when ready. Unlike Windows, Mac does not show you a toggle — you remove the program entirely from the list. To add it back later, click the plus button and navigate to the Applications folder to select it again.
The "Allow when Locked" section below controls which apps can run before you enter your password. For most people, this section should stay empty. If you see something there you did not put there, select it and click the minus button to remove it.
What happens when you disable a startup app
Disabling a startup app does one thing only: it stops that program from launching when your computer starts. The program itself remains installed on your hard drive. You can still open it manually by searching for it or clicking its icon in your applications folder. Disabling startup apps does not delete files, change settings, or affect how the program works when you do open it.
Your computer will start faster because it is not loading these programs into memory before you even sit down. If you disabled something and later realize you need it to start automatically, you can re-enable it the same way you disabled it. There is no penalty for turning things off and back on.
Which startup apps are usually safe to disable
Messaging apps, social media apps, cloud storage services, and browser extensions are almost always safe to disable. You can open them manually when you want to use them. Streaming services, games, and productivity tools like Slack or Discord should also be disabled unless you genuinely use them constantly throughout the day.
Keep antivirus software, Windows Defender, and security tools enabled. These protect your computer continuously and need to run in the background. Hardware drivers — especially for printers, graphics cards, or network adapters — should usually stay enabled too, though some can be disabled if you do not use that hardware regularly.
If you see something labeled "Service Host," "Runtime Broker," "Windows Update," or "Superfetch," leave it alone. These are Windows system processes that handle core functions. Disabling them can cause problems.
Why programs keep re-enabling themselves after updates
When you update a program, it sometimes re-adds itself to the startup list. This is intentional — software makers want their programs running all the time because it increases engagement and can generate advertising data. After you update an app, check your startup list again and disable it if it has reappeared.
Some programs are more aggressive about this than others. If you find yourself disabling the same app repeatedly, you may want to uninstall it entirely and look for an alternative that respects your preferences.
How to find startup apps hidden in system folders
Windows and Mac both show you the main startup apps in their settings, but some programs hide additional startup items in system folders. On Windows, you can access these by pressing Windows key + R, typing "msconfig," and clicking the Startup tab. This shows a more complete list, though most items here are system processes you should not touch.
On Mac, startup apps can also be hidden in the Library folder. Open Finder, press Command + Shift + G, type "~/Library/LaunchAgents," and press Enter. You will see files with names ending in ".plist" — these are startup configurations. Deleting these files is advanced and risky, so only do this if you are comfortable with file management and know exactly what you are removing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disabling startup apps break my computer?
No. Disabling a startup app straightforward stops it from launching automatically — it does not delete anything or change how your computer works. If you disable something critical by accident, you can re-enable it when ready. The worst that happens is a program does not start when you turn on your computer, and you have to open it manually.
Can I disable all startup apps at once?
You can, but you should not. Some programs — antivirus software, security tools, and hardware drivers — need to run automatically to protect your computer or make peripherals work. Disable apps one at a time so you know which ones actually matter to you.
Why is my computer still slow after disabling startup apps?
Startup apps slow down the boot process, not overall performance while you work. If your computer is slow while running, the problem is usually something else: too many browser tabs open, a full hard drive, or a program using a lot of memory. Disabling startup apps will make your computer start faster, but may not fix slowness once it is running.
Do I need to restart my computer after disabling a startup app?
No. The change takes effect the next time you shut down and turn on your computer. You do not need to restart when ready — just turn off your computer normally when you are done working, and the disabled apps will not launch when you turn it back on.
What if I accidentally disabled something important?
Open your startup settings again and re-enable it by clicking the toggle or selecting it and clicking the plus button. If you are not sure what something does, search for its name online — most startup apps have documentation that explains their purpose.