How to stop apps from opening on startup

Managing your computer's startup process is an easy and effective way to streamline your daily routine, saving you time and reducing unnecessary tasks at the start of the day. However, applications launching automatically when your computer turns on could affect your system's overall performance.

This guide will walk you through customising the startup applications on both Windows and MacOS operating systems.

Table of contents

1. How apps in the startup folder affect your computer
2. Step-by-step guide to change your startup programs (Windows and MacOS)
3. Troubleshooting (Windows and MacOS)

How apps in the startup folder affect your computer

The speed of your device booting up may be slowed if you have too many apps configured to launch when you sign in. There might be programs set to open at startup that you never use. It is highly recommended that you choose only a few of the most frequently used apps.

It is also worth noting that the impact on your device’s startup speed varies from application to application, depending on your computer’s processor and startup disk utilisation.

For Windows users, your computer categorises the impact of each individual app into three levels:

Knowing this information, you could prioritise the low-impact applications while selectively removing higher-impact ones.

Step-by-step guide to change your startup programs

Before you start this process, it is advisable to consult your company’s IT experts and ensure that critical applications are not affected.

For Windows

Change startup programs using Settings

• Click the ‘Start’ button on the bottom left of your taskbar and choose the ‘Settings’ app.

• Select ‘Apps’ on the left menu, then choose ‘Startup’.

• Turn the toggle on to opt for the application to open on startup or toggle off to remove the application from the startup list.

Change startup programs using Task Manager

The same list of startup apps shown in ‘Settings’ is also available in ‘Task Manager’. However, the ‘Task Manager’ method can be more useful when troubleshooting, as more detailed data is displayed there.

• Right-click the ‘Start’ button on the bottom left of your taskbar, then select ‘Task Manager’.

• Click on the ‘Startup apps’ icon on the bar on the left.
• Click on the app you want to configure, and to the top right bar, click ‘Enable’ if you want the app to run automatically when you log in or ‘Disable’ to prevent it.

For MacOS (Big Sur or later)

• Click on the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen, then select ‘System Settings…’

• On the left bar, choose ‘General’. Choose ‘Login Items’.

• In the ‘Open at Login’ section, you’ll find a list of applications set to open automatically when you log in:
  • If you want to remove an app: Select the app and click on the minus ‘-’ button below the list.
  • If you want to add an app: Click the plus ‘+’ sign and choose the application you wish to open at boot.

Troubleshooting

For Windows users

Can’t find the application you want in the startup folder

Not all applications can be configured to launch when you sign in, especially if it is a third-party app you downloaded from the internet. The Startup Apps menu will list all the apps available for launch at startup.

Error message: We couldn’t find this app

This message showing as an app title in ‘Settings’ indicates that the app might be on a removable drive or a network drive. To resolve the issue, you can try reinstalling the app.

For MacOS users

Sometimes, a login item may trigger a blank blue screen or other issues at startup. To find out which login items are causing those problems, you can test your apps one by one.

• Firstly, remove the whole login items list (you might want to note them down for later use). Then restart the computer.
• If the problem is resolved at this point, try adding one application at a time and restarting the system after each one is added.
• When the issue recurs, delete the most recent login item you added.

Conclusion

How you configure your startup apps can have an impact on your device's overall performance. By tailoring the tool to your needs, you can increase efficiency at the start of your working day.

Texaport is proud to have a team of responsive and approachable experts who can help you streamline your processes and boost efficiency. With Texaport as your managed service provider, you can raise tickets for any issues or tasks and get instant assistance without the hassle of going through technical manuals.

Learn more about how we've supported our clients in achieving their goals, or contact us today to explore what we can do for you.