How to Make an App Stop Opening on PC Startup

A practical, step-by-step guide for Windows 10 and Windows 11 users, covering Settings, Task Manager, the Startup folder, Task Scheduler, and app-specific options for Discord, Spotify, Teams, and more. Prepared by Make An App Like. Last reviewed: July 2026, Windows edition.

Quick Answer

The easiest way to make an app stop opening on PC startup is to open Windows Settings, go to Apps, then Startup, and turn off the toggle next to the app you want to disable. This works on both Windows 11 and Windows 10 and takes less than a minute. As an alternative, you can press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, switch to the Startup Apps tab, right-click the app, and choose Disable. Most apps, including Discord, Spotify, and Microsoft Teams, can also be stopped from their own settings. Disabling a startup app does not uninstall it; you can still open it manually whenever you need it.

Key Takeaways

• The fastest method is Windows Settings, Apps, Startup: toggle off any app you do not want to launch at boot.
• Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) has a Startup Apps tab that lets you disable the same list with one right-click.
• Many apps like Discord, Spotify, Teams, Zoom, and Steam have their own startup toggle inside their settings.
• If a program keeps coming back, check the Windows Startup folder (shell:startup) and Task Scheduler for hidden entries.
• Disabling a startup app does not uninstall it. You can always open the app manually later.
• Do not disable antivirus, audio, touchpad, graphics driver, or Windows Security entries unless you are sure.
• Cleaning up startup apps can reduce boot time, free RAM, lower background CPU use, and extend laptop battery life.

Quick Facts

The table below summarizes the main methods covered in this guide so you can pick the right one for your situation.

Why Apps Open Automatically at Startup

Most apps add themselves to your PC's startup list during installation. They do this so they can load faster, check for updates, or keep notifications running in the background. Some apps ask permission; many do not. Over time, your startup list can grow to 10, 20, or even 40 entries without you noticing.

Each startup app consumes resources the moment you sign in. RAM gets filled, the CPU works harder during boot, and your hard drive or SSD reads more files. On a laptop, this also drains battery faster. In our testing, a Windows 11 PC with 25 startup apps took roughly twice as long to become responsive as the same PC with 5 startup apps. The exact impact varies by hardware, but the direction is always the same: more startup apps means slower boot, less available memory, and a less responsive system.

The good news is that Windows gives you full control over this list. You can disable any app in under a minute, and you can always turn it back on later. The rest of this guide walks through every reliable method we use ourselves.

Method 1: Disable Startup Apps Through Windows Settings

When to use it: This is the default method we recommend for every Windows 10 and Windows 11 user. Use it first.

1. Open Settings (press the Windows key + I) and go to Apps, then click Startup.
2. Find the app you want to stop in the list, then toggle the switch next to it to Off.
3. Close Settings. The change takes effect the next time you restart your PC.

What happens next: The app will no longer launch when you sign in. You can still open it manually from the Start menu or taskbar.

Limitation: Some apps re-add themselves to this list after an update. If that happens, also disable startup from inside the app's own settings (see Method 3).

Method 2: Disable Startup Programs Through Task Manager

When to use it: Use this if you prefer a faster route or if Settings is not loading correctly. Task Manager shows the same startup list with an estimated performance impact for each app.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. If you see a small view, click "More details" at the bottom.
2. Open the Startup Apps tab (Windows 11) or the Startup tab (Windows 10).
3. Right-click the app you want to stop and choose Disable. Close Task Manager.

What happens next: The app is removed from the startup sequence. The Status column should now show "Disabled" next to it.

Limitation: Task Manager and Windows Settings show the same list. If you disable an app in one place, it also appears disabled in the other.

Method 3: Turn Off Automatic Startup Inside the App

When to use it: Use this method for apps that keep re-enabling themselves after a software update. Apps like Discord, Spotify, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Steam, and Skype each have their own startup toggle.

1. Open the app and go to its Settings or Preferences menu (usually under the gear icon or your profile picture).
2. Look for an option named "Start with Windows", "Open at login", "Launch on startup", or "Run when my computer starts", and turn it off.
3. Close and restart the app to confirm the change has been saved.

What happens next: The app will no longer launch at boot, even if it still appears in Windows Settings. This is the most reliable method for stubborn apps.

Limitation: App menus change with updates. If you cannot find the option, search the app's support page using the exact version number.

Method 4: Remove an App From the Startup Folder

When to use it: Some older apps place a shortcut in the Windows Startup folder instead of registering through the standard startup list. If an app does not appear in Settings or Task Manager, check here.

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog, type shell:startup, and press Enter.
2. The Startup folder will open. Find the shortcut for the app you want to stop.
3. Right-click the shortcut and choose Delete. Close the folder.

What happens next: The shortcut is removed, so Windows will no longer launch the app at sign-in. The app itself is not affected.

Warning: Delete only the shortcut, not the actual application file. If a shortcut's location looks unfamiliar, right-click it and choose Properties to check what it points to before deleting.

Method 5: Use Task Scheduler for Apps That Keep Returning

When to use it: If an app keeps opening at startup even after you disabled it everywhere else, it may be launched by Windows Task Scheduler. Antivirus programs, backup tools, and update checkers often use this method.

1. Press Windows + S, type Task Scheduler, and open it from the results.
2. Click Task Scheduler Library on the left, then look through the list for a task named after the app you want to stop.
3. Right-click that task and choose Disable. Close Task Scheduler.

What happens next: The scheduled task stops running at startup. The app will not launch automatically anymore.

Warning: Do not disable unfamiliar Microsoft or system tasks. Disabling the wrong scheduled task can break Windows Update, audio, security scans, or hardware drivers. If you are unsure, leave the task alone.

Method 6: Stop Apps From Reopening After Restart

When to use it: Windows can automatically reopen apps that were running when you last shut down or restarted. If your apps keep coming back even after you disabled them in Settings, this is usually why.

1. Open Settings (Windows + I) and go to Accounts, then Sign-in options.
2. Scroll to the "Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign in" setting.
3. Toggle that option Off. Close Settings.

What happens next: Windows will no longer remember and reopen your running apps after a restart. Apps you explicitly enabled in the Startup list will still launch normally.

Limitation: The exact wording and location of this setting can change between Windows updates. If you cannot find it, search "restartable apps" inside Settings.

Method 7: Uninstall an App You No Longer Need

When to use it: If you do not use the app at all, the cleanest fix is to remove it from your PC entirely. This frees disk space and removes all startup entries at once.

1. Open Settings, Apps, Installed apps (Windows 11) or Apps, Apps & features (Windows 10).
2. Find the app, click the three dots (Windows 11) or click the app name (Windows 10), and choose Uninstall.
3. Follow the uninstaller prompts, then restart your PC.

What happens next: The app, its startup entries, and most of its files are removed from your system.

Warning: Do not uninstall essential drivers, antivirus software, hardware utilities (touchpad, audio, graphics), or Windows system components without confirming their purpose first. Removing the wrong component can break hardware or security.

App-Specific Startup Settings

The table below shows where to find the startup toggle in popular apps. App menus change with updates, so verify the exact wording inside your version if the path differs slightly.

Note: Microsoft Teams has two versions, classic Teams and the new Teams app. The setting name and location can differ between them. If you cannot find it under General, look under "Application" in the new Teams settings.

What to Do If the App Still Opens at Startup

If an app keeps coming back after you disabled it, one of the situations below is usually the cause. Each one has a 2 to 3 step fix.

The app turned its startup setting back on

Some apps silently re-enable startup after an update or after a crash recovery. Open the app's own settings, find the startup option (see Method 3), turn it off again, then quit the app completely. Restart your PC and verify it stays disabled.

An app update restored the setting

Major updates often reset user preferences. After every app update, re-open the app's settings, confirm the startup toggle is still off, and disable it again if needed. For apps that update frequently (Discord, Steam, Teams), check this monthly.

The program runs through Task Scheduler

Open Task Scheduler, click Task Scheduler Library, find the task named after the app, right-click it, and choose Disable. This stops any startup entry that bypasses the normal Settings list. Do not disable unfamiliar Microsoft or system tasks.

A Windows service starts it

Some apps install a Windows service that launches at boot. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, find the service named after the app, right-click it, choose Properties, and set Startup type to Manual. Do not set services to Disabled unless you are sure what they do.

Another connected app launches it

Some apps are started by a companion program, for example a launcher or sync tool. Check the Startup list in Windows Settings for entries with names like "Helper", "Update", or "Tray" from the same publisher, and disable those too.

Windows reopens restartable apps

Windows can automatically reopen apps that were running when you last restarted. Go to Settings, Accounts, Sign-in options and turn off "Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign in."

You disabled the wrong app entry

Some apps install multiple startup entries with similar names (for example, the app plus an updater). Open Task Manager's Startup Apps tab and check whether another entry with a similar name is still Enabled. Disable that one too.

What You Should Not Disable

Disabling a startup app does not uninstall it, and most startup entries are safe to turn off. However, some entries are required for hardware or security to work correctly. Leave the following alone unless you are certain:

• Graphics drivers (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel control panels)
• Audio drivers and audio enhancement software (Realtek, Waves MaxxAudio)
• Touchpad software, especially on laptops (Precision Touchpad, Synaptics)
• Windows Security and Microsoft Defender entries
• Antivirus software (Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, ESET, etc.)
• Backup tools (File History, Macrium Reflect, Acronis, OneDrive sync if you rely on it)
• VPN software (only if you need it active at all times)
• Hardware management utilities (fan control, RGB lighting, hotkey managers, fingerprint readers)

If you are unsure about an entry, leave it enabled. You can always come back later. Disabling a startup app normally does not uninstall it. The app stays on your PC and you can still open it manually whenever you need it.

How Reducing Startup Apps Improves PC Performance

Cutting down your startup list is one of the easiest ways to make a Windows PC feel faster. When fewer apps launch at boot, Windows spends less time loading files, your CPU works less during sign-in, and more RAM is available for the programs you actually want to use.

Based on our testing, removing unnecessary startup apps can improve the following areas:

• Windows boot time. Fewer apps loading at sign-in means the desktop becomes usable sooner.
• RAM availability. Each background app holds memory even when idle; disabling them frees it for active work.
• Background CPU usage. Fewer startup apps means fewer processes competing for processor time after boot.
• Laptop battery life. Fewer background apps means less CPU wake time and longer time between charges.
• System responsiveness. Fewer competing processes means the apps you actually open respond faster.

We do not promise a specific percentage improvement because the impact depends on your hardware, the apps involved, and how many you disable. As a general rule, the more startup apps you remove, the more noticeable the improvement, especially on older hardware and laptops.

Comparison of All Methods

Use this table to compare every method covered in this guide side by side.

Our Perspective at Make An App Like

At Make An App Like, we have been building software and apps since 2016. Our team has shipped more than 500 applications and worked with founders and businesses across more than 40 countries. We regularly test apps, software tools, startup settings, and the kind of small frustrations, like an app that refuses to stop opening at boot, that quietly drain productivity.

In our experience, the Windows Settings method works for about 80 percent of cases. For the remaining 20 percent, the app's own settings or Task Scheduler is almost always the answer. We wrote this guide the same way we would explain it to a client: simple steps, clear warnings, no unnecessary technical jargon. That same clarity shapes how we think about building software, which we cover in our guide to vibe coding versus agentic engineering.

Why Readers Trust Make An App Like

Make An App Like was founded in 2016 to help founders and businesses ship software that works. Over the years, our team has built and tested more than 500 applications across AI, fintech, SaaS, marketplaces, and mobile platforms. That hands-on work means we spend a lot of time inside Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, configuring, debugging, and documenting the small things that make a real difference to daily use.

When we write a guide like this one, we test each method on current Windows 10 and Windows 11 builds before publishing. We also re-check app menus regularly because Discord, Spotify, Teams, and Steam update their settings pages often. Our goal is simple: give you a fix that works the first time, without needing to read three other articles.

Conclusion

To make an app stop opening on PC startup, start with Windows Settings, Apps, Startup and toggle the app off. If that does not work, use Task Manager's Startup Apps tab. If the app keeps coming back, check its own settings, since Discord, Spotify, Teams, Zoom, and Steam all have a startup toggle inside the app. For stubborn cases, look at the Windows Startup folder or Task Scheduler.

We recommend trying Windows Settings or Task Manager first. They cover most situations in under a minute. If the app still opens after a restart, turn off the restartable-apps option in Sign-in settings. As a last resort, uninstall apps you no longer need, but never disable antivirus, drivers, or hardware utilities without confirming what they do.

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