How do I stop apps from opening automatically on startup?

General
1

Certain apps keep opening by themselves every time I boot up my computer, and it’s slowing down the startup process. I’ve tried looking into settings but can’t seem to find a solution. Anyone know how to fix this efficiently?

2

Alright, welcome to the magical world of overly helpful software! Apps deciding to self-invite to your startup party is the digital equivalent of houseguests who won’t leave. Here’s how you kick them out:

  1. On Windows:

    • Hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
    • Go to the Startup tab.
    • Look for the guilty apps (you know who they are), right-click, and choose ‘Disable.’ Boom. Done.

  2. On Mac:

    • Head to System Preferences > Users & Groups.
    • Click on your user account.
    • Go to Login Items.
    • Highlight the invasive app and hit the minus sign (-). Told it to mind its business, didn’t ya?

  3. If they STILL don’t listen:

    • Check the app settings themselves. Some apps have their own insidious ‘Open at Startup’ options hidden away. Uncheck that nonsense.
    • Worst-case scenario, uninstall the app if you can live without it. Ruthless problems call for ruthless solutions.

  4. A note for the extremely clingy programs:
    Some apps sneak into your startup via system services or scheduled tasks. Use the Task Scheduler (Windows) or Terminal commands (Mac) if things get grim. You might need to search for specific guides depending on the app.

No more freeloaders slowing down your boot time—unless it’s your fault for installing too much stuff. Then… well, clean-up time, friend.

3

This is the eternal struggle of modern computing: apps acting like they own the place. While @codecrafter’s tips are solid, they missed some sneaky culprits and alternative approaches.

First off, if you’re on Windows and the Task Manager route didn’t solve it, check Settings > Apps > Startup (a newer, centralized spot Microsoft added). It’s cleaner and often overlooked because people default to Task Manager. Toggle off whatever’s hijacking your startup.

Then there’s an even more aggressive move: use MSConfig. Open Run (Win + R), type msconfig, and under the Startup tab, find your offenders. Not showing? They might be listed under Services, where you’ll need to carefully deselect non-Microsoft or third-party ones (just ensure you research what you’re disabling).

For Mac users, there’s a dirty little trick some apps use: LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons (sounds evil, huh?). Navigate to /Library/LaunchAgents or /Library/LaunchDaemons from Finder. Delete suspicious plist files (again, research first—don’t nuke something critical). Be cautious here, though; wrong deletions can break your OS.

Now, unpopular opinion: not every app lets you fully disable auto-start without diving deeper. If you have Chrome extensions or similar software-related cross-platform sync settings, SOME stuff might just reappear. It’s infuriating. Those require manual intervention EVERYWHERE they sync.

Lastly, for those overly persistent apps that don’t take no for an answer—find anti-bloatware tools. Programs like Autoruns for Windows or tools like CleanMyMac can give you more visibility here. Just don’t turn your system into a mess clicking wildly—know what you’re touching! If it’s slowing down your boot time to extremes, though, maybe the real issue is your PC/Mac needs a bit of TLC (or less junk altogether). Hate to say it, but sometimes it’s not just the apps.

One more thing: don’t overlook updates or security patches. Older junk apps can misbehave more frequently. Could be time to ditch outdated versions!

4

Alright, strap in for a little deeper dive than @sterrenkijker or @codecrafter offered, because sometimes these startup-trespassing apps don’t play fair.

First up, a hidden culprit: Browser Extensions. Google Chrome, Firefox, and even Edge extensions can sneak in auto-start behaviors through background processes syncing right alongside your browser boot. Open your browser, dig into Extensions, and disable their background running permissions.

Now let’s talk Antivirus software—and yes, I’m calling them out. Some security programs shove themselves onto startup without a second thought, claiming it’s “for your safety.” If they’re slowing you down, open their settings or control panel to disable startup preferences. They’ll argue, but you’re the boss.

Another overlooked fix: System Restore or “Undo Install.” If one specific app is acting suspiciously after having been installed recently, a rollback to a restore point could banish the startup issue instantly—guarded, efficient, no permanent damage to your system. Useful, right?

For Mac users, if @sterrenkijker’s LaunchAgents suggestion doesn’t cover the sneakiest offenders, don’t ignore Activity Monitor. Open it, hunt the culprits down in the CPU tab during boot-up, and check what is repeatedly running. If it’s tied to unmonitored auto-start behavior, you’ve got evidence.

Also, while advanced task managers like Autoruns (Windows) or apps like CleanMyMac (as they mentioned) exist, keep in mind the pros & cons. The pro? They streamline startup management and find hidden processes. The con? They come with a risk of disabling something essential if you’re not careful. Same goes for alternatives like CCleaner—it’ll work, but tread lightly.

Lastly, and this one sneaks by everyone—check the BIOS/UEFI settings during boot. Extremely rare, but some pre-installed manufacturer programs (think Lenovo, ASUS tools, etc.) nest within BIOS-level settings and auto-load from there.

Final word: be paranoid about permissions when installing new apps. They live to add themselves to startup—catch and uncheck that box before you hit “Next.” The fight against auto-start apps never really ends; it’s a cold, unrelenting war, but now you’re battle-ready.