Apps that open on Start Up

Question

I want to control which apps open automatically on startup. How can I do that? Can you show me how?

Answer 1

Hi Long, Regina,

I can see that the AI Answer has already provided steps for managing startup apps through Settings, Task Manager, and the Startup folder. Have you had a chance to try those suggestions yet? If so, could you let me know how it went?

To help narrow this down further, could you also tell me:

• Which specific app(s) you're trying to stop from opening automatically?
• What version of Windows you're using? Please press Windows + R, type winver and share a screenshot or the version/build information shown.
• Do the apps open immediately after you sign in or only after Windows has been running for a while?

As an additional check, some applications have their own settings to launch automatically when Windows starts. If you're unsure whether the app has its own startup setting, open the app, then look through its Settings, Preferences or Options menu for entries such as Launch at startup, Run when Windows starts, Open on login, Start with Windows or Run in the background. If you find such a setting, please let me know whether it's currently enabled or disabled.

You can also perform a clean boot to determine whether a background service or third-party startup component is causing the app to launch unexpectedly. If you'd like to try this, let me know and I can provide the detailed steps.

I look forward to your update.

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Answer 2

Use either Settings or Task Manager.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Apps > Startup.
3. Find the app in the list.
4. Turn its toggle On or Off depending on whether it should start automatically.

Another way:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Open the Startup apps tab.
3. Review the listed apps.
4. Disable apps that should not run at sign-in.

If an app is not listed there, check the Startup folder:

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type shell:startup.
3. Press Enter.
4. Remove shortcuts for apps that should not start automatically.

Windows also shows startup apps in Task Manager, including controls to disable them and a startup impact measure to help identify which apps affect startup performance.

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