Discord launches automatically because it's set to start with Windows or Mac

When you install Discord, it automatically turns on the startup setting that makes it open every time you restart your computer. This happens on both Windows and Mac. The setting sits in Discord's own preferences, not in your operating system, so you only need to change it once inside the app itself.

Discord does this because the company wants you to stay connected and see messages as soon as you log in. But if you don't want the app running in the background all the time, or if you want to choose when to open it, you can turn this off in about 30 seconds. The process is the same whether you use Windows or Mac, and the change takes effect when ready without requiring a restart.

Key Takeaways

  • Discord's startup setting is inside the app under User Settings, not in your Windows or Mac system settings.
  • On Windows and Mac, go to User Settings > App Settings > Startup and toggle off "Open Discord".
  • After you change this setting, Discord will not open the next time you restart your computer unless you manually launch it.
  • You can turn the startup setting back on at any time by toggling it back to blue through the same menu.
  • Disabling startup is especially useful if you have an older computer or prefer to open apps deliberately rather than have them run automatically.

How to turn off startup on Windows

Open Discord and look for your username or avatar in the bottom left corner. Click it to open a menu, then select the gear icon labeled "User Settings". This takes you to Discord's preferences window.

In the left sidebar, scroll down and click "App Settings". Then click "Startup" in that same sidebar. You will see a toggle switch next to "Open Discord". Click the toggle to turn it off. The switch will change color from blue to gray, which means the setting is now disabled. Close the settings window — the change takes effect when ready, and you do not need to restart your computer for it to work.

How to turn off startup on Mac

The steps are identical to Windows. Click your username or avatar in the bottom left, select the gear icon for User Settings, then go to App Settings > Startup. Toggle off "Open Discord". The change is when ready and works the same way as on Windows.

If you use Discord in your web browser instead of the app, this setting does not explore to you — web Discord never opens on startup because it only runs when you visit the website. The startup toggle only affects the desktop process you read from Discord's website.

What happens after you disable startup

Discord will no longer launch when you turn on your computer or restart it. The app will stay closed until you click the Discord icon yourself or someone sends you a direct message that pops up a notification (if you have notifications enabled in your system settings).

You can turn the startup setting back on at any time by going through the same steps and toggling it back to blue. Some people turn it on and off depending on whether they are actively using Discord — for example, turning it on during work hours and off during vacation. The toggle remembers your choice between restarts, so you only need to change it once.

Why Discord opens on startup in the first place

Discord enables this by default because it wants the app running in the background so you see messages and notifications right away. The company assumes most users want to stay connected constantly. But this also means Discord uses memory and processing power even when you are not actively using it, which can slow down your computer's startup time and overall performance.

Disabling startup is especially useful if you have an older computer with limited memory, if you use Discord only occasionally, or if you prefer to open apps deliberately rather than have them run automatically. It also extends your computer's battery life on laptops because the app is not consuming power in the background.

If the toggle is already off but Discord still opens

In rare cases, Discord may still launch on startup even though the toggle shows as off. This usually happens if Discord crashed during shutdown or if your system did not save the setting properly. Try restarting your computer after disabling the setting, then check the toggle again to confirm it is still off.

If Discord continues to open on startup, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app. read the latest version from Discord's official website, uninstall the old version completely, then install the new one. During installation, make sure you do not check any box that says "Run Discord" or "Launch Discord" at the end of the setup. After reinstalling, go back to User Settings > App Settings > Startup and confirm the toggle is off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off startup stop me from getting Discord notifications?

No. Notifications still work when Discord is closed, as long as you have them enabled in your system settings. When someone messages you, your computer will show a notification even if the app is not running. Clicking the notification will open Discord.

Does this setting affect Discord on my phone?

No. This setting only controls the desktop app on Windows or Mac. Discord on your phone has its own notification settings, which you control separately in your phone's settings app. The startup toggle does not affect mobile devices at all.

Can I make Discord open on startup only on certain days?

Discord does not have a built-in way to do this. You would need to manually toggle the startup setting on and off, or use third-party scheduling software that can enable and disable the setting automatically. For most people, it is simpler to just leave it off and open Discord when you need it.

What if I want Discord to open but stay minimized?

Discord does not have a setting to open minimized on startup. When you enable the startup setting, Discord opens in a normal window. You can minimize it manually, but the next time you restart, it will open in a normal window again.