So, you’ve just booted up your Windows 11 computer, and before you even get to the desktop, a bunch of apps start popping up. Some of them might be apps you barely use or didn’t even know were installed. It can be annoying, right? Not to mention it can slow down your computer.
Luckily, stopping apps from automatically launching at startup is pretty easy, and you don’t need to be a tech wizard to do it. Let’s walk through it step by step.
Why Do Apps Start Automatically?
When certain apps are installed on your computer, they often sneak in a little setting that tells Windows, “Hey, start me up every time the computer boots!” While some apps need to do this (like antivirus software), many don’t. These unnecessary apps hog your system’s resources, making startup slow and cluttering up your desktop.
Now, let’s stop them in their tracks!
Step 1: Open Task Manager
First things first, we need to access the Task Manager. This tool lets you manage all sorts of things on your computer, including those sneaky startup apps.
- Right-click on the Start button (the Windows logo at the bottom-left corner of your screen).
- From the menu that appears, click Task Manager.
Pro Tip: You can also open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard.
Step 2: Navigate to the Startup Tab
Once the Task Manager is open, you’ll notice several tabs at the top. One of those tabs is called Startup—this is where we want to be.
- Click on the Startup tab.
- Here, you’ll see a list of all the apps that are set to launch when your computer starts.
Step 3: Disable Unwanted Apps
Now that we’re in the Startup tab, we can stop the apps we don’t need from launching automatically.
- Scroll through the list and look for any apps you don’t want to start with Windows. For each app, you’ll see its status (enabled or disabled) and its impact on startup (low, medium, or high).If you see an app that you rarely use or one that’s listed as having a high impact, you might want to disable it.
- To stop an app from launching at startup, just right-click on the app and select Disable.Don’t worry—you’re not uninstalling the app. You’re just telling Windows not to launch it automatically when your computer starts.
Step 4: Restart and Enjoy a Faster Startup
Once you’ve disabled the apps you don’t need, restart your computer and notice the difference! Fewer apps will launch, which means your PC should boot up faster, and you won’t have to close unnecessary programs right away.
Bonus Tip: Use Windows Settings for Startup Apps
You can also manage startup apps from the Windows Settings menu if you prefer.
- Click on the Start button and then select Settings (the little gear icon).
- Go to Apps and then click on Startup.
- You’ll see a similar list of apps with toggles next to them. Simply switch off the ones you don’t want to start with Windows.
That’s it! You’ve taken control of your Windows 11 startup and cleared out the clutter. This small change can make a big difference in how quickly your computer gets up and running. Plus, it’s one less hassle to deal with when you log in.
Keep in mind that you can always go back and re-enable any app if you decide later that you want it to launch automatically again. It’s all about finding the right balance for your needs.