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How to Stop Windows 11 Apps from Opening During Startup

Stop apps from launching when you sign in to Windows 11 using Settings, Task Manager, or Startup folders.

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To stop an app from opening automatically when you sign in to Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Apps > Startup and switch the app Off. You can also disable it in Task Manager. These controls stop automatic launch; they do not uninstall the app.

Disable a startup app in Settings

  1. Open Start > Settings > Apps > Startup.
  2. Find the app you want to stop and switch its toggle to Off.

Microsoft says this prevents the app from starting automatically when you sign in. To restore automatic launch later, return to the same page and switch it on. See Microsoft’s instructions for configuring startup applications.

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Use Task Manager to see startup impact

  1. Right-click Start and open Task Manager.
  2. Select Startup apps.
  3. Select the app, then choose Disable.

Task Manager controls the same registered startup apps as Settings and adds a startup-impact label. Microsoft defines the labels as follows:

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Label Meaning in Task Manager
None Disabled
Not Measured Enabled, but measurement data is unavailable
Low Less than 300 milliseconds of total CPU use and less than 292 KB of disk use
Medium More than 300 milliseconds but under one second of CPU use, or more than 292 KB but under 3 MB of disk use
High More than one second of CPU use or more than 3 MB of disk use

These are Microsoft’s categories for startup impact, not a prediction of how much faster a particular PC will feel. Disabling apps you do not need at sign-in may help reduce startup delays and background usage, but the result depends on the device and apps. Microsoft offers general guidance in Tips to improve PC performance in Windows.

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If the app is not in the startup list

Some apps are started by shortcuts in a Startup folder rather than an entry in the standard Settings or Task Manager list. You can check the folder for your account or the folder shared by all users.

  1. Press Windows key + R, enter shell:appsfolder, and press Enter. Leave the window open.
  2. Press Windows key + R again, enter shell:startup, and press Enter to open the current-user Startup folder. To check the folder for all users, enter shell:common startup instead.
  3. If you find the shortcut for the app, remove that shortcut from the Startup folder. This stops that shortcut from launching at sign-in; it does not remove the app itself.

The current-user folder is %userprofile%AppDataRoamingMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartup; the all-users folder is %ProgramData%MicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartup. Microsoft also documents registry Run locations for startup entries, but warns that registry edits can have unintended consequences and recommends backing up the registry first. For a routine change, use Settings, Task Manager, or the Startup folders instead.

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Startup launch and background activity are separate

Disabling sign-in launch does not necessarily prevent an app from running in the background, and changing background permissions does not necessarily remove its startup entry. For supported apps, check Settings > Apps > Installed apps > [app] > Advanced options for background permissions. Microsoft notes that desktop apps do not appear in those background-app controls; manage background behavior for those apps through their own settings. See Windows background apps and your privacy.

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When to use clean boot troubleshooting

A clean boot can help diagnose a persistent startup conflict, but it is not the usual way to disable one app. Microsoft’s procedure uses System Configuration and Task Manager and warns that changing advanced startup options in System Configuration without guidance can make the computer unusable. A clean-boot environment may also temporarily reduce functionality; restore normal startup after testing. Follow Microsoft’s clean boot instructions carefully.

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