How to Stop Apps Opening at Startup in Windows 11

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How to Stop Apps Opening at Startup in Windows 11

You sign in and wait while chat apps, game launchers, cloud tools and updaters all open at once. Each one slows your start and uses memory in the background. Windows 11 lets you choose which apps start automatically. This guide shows the two built-in ways, the places apps hide when they don't show up there, and which ones to keep.

Method 1: Settings (Quickest)

According to Microsoft:

Open Start > Settings > Apps > Startup.
Switch Off each app you don't need at sign-in.

The list shows each app's impact on startup. Changes take effect the next time you sign in.

Method 2: Task Manager (Shows the Impact)

Right-click the Start button and select Task Manager (or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
Select the Startup apps tab (the icon that looks like a speedometer in the left menu).
Select an app and choose Disable at the top.

Task Manager shows a Startup impact column - High, Medium, Low, None or Not measured - based on how much CPU and disk each app uses when you sign in. Start with the High ones.

Which Apps Are Safe to Turn Off?

A disabled app isn't uninstalled. It still opens normally when you start it yourself.

Usually safe to disable:

Game launchers and store apps (you open them when you play).
Chat and meeting apps you don't need instantly.
Music and video apps.
Updaters for apps you rarely use (the app checks for updates when you open it).
Cloud storage apps you don't use - but if you do use OneDrive, Google Drive or Dropbox to sync files, keep them on, or files stop syncing until you open the app.

Keep enabled:

Your antivirus, if you use one other than Windows Security.
Tools for your hardware that you rely on: touchpad gestures, audio control panels, graphics settings, keyboard/mouse software.
Password managers and backup tools you rely on running in the background.

Not sure what an entry is? In Task Manager, right-click it and choose Search online, or Open file location to see which program it belongs to.

App Still Opens? Check These Places

The Startup folder

Apps that don't register a startup task can use a shortcut in the Startup folder instead. Microsoft says these apps can be managed from File Explorer:

Press Windows + R, type shell:startup and press Enter.
Delete the shortcut of any app you don't want at startup (this removes only the shortcut, not the app).

The app's own setting

Many apps have an option such as Open at login, Launch on system startup or Start with Windows in their own settings. If the app turns itself back on, switch this off inside the app too.

Apps reopening after restart

Windows can reopen apps that were open when you shut down. Turn this off in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in.

Apps You Don't Recognize

If an unknown program keeps starting and you can't find what it belongs to, don't just ignore it - adware and malware often add themselves to startup. Uninstall anything you didn't install on purpose (see how to uninstall programs that won't uninstall) and run a full scan in Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.

Startup Still Slow?

Fewer startup apps help, but a PC that takes minutes to reach the desktop usually has another cause - a nearly full or failing drive, pending updates, or a slow hard disk. See Windows slow boot - takes a long time to start for the next steps, and check whether the disk is at 100% in Task Manager right after sign-in - 100 percent disk usage in Windows 11 explains what that means.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I stop apps from opening at startup in Windows 11?

Open Settings > Apps > Startup and switch off the apps you don't need. You can do the same in Task Manager on the Startup apps tab by selecting an app and choosing Disable.

Is it safe to disable startup apps?

Yes for most apps - they still work when you open them yourself. Keep your antivirus and drivers for touchpads, audio or graphics tools enabled if you use their features.

Why does an app still open after I disabled it?

Some apps have their own 'open at startup' setting, a shortcut in the Startup folder, or reopen because Windows restores apps after restart. Check the app's settings and the Startup folder (shell:startup).

Does disabling startup apps speed up Windows?

It usually makes sign-in faster and frees memory, especially for apps Task Manager marks as High impact. It doesn't fix a slow drive or a failing update.