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Windows 11 may reopen supported apps after you sign in because it is set to save restartable apps and restore them. If an app still launches after you turn that option off, check its separate startup entry, then look for a Startup-folder shortcut. These are different ways apps can start, so troubleshoot them in that order.
Why apps reopen after you restart Windows 11
There are several possible causes. Windows can restore supported apps that were open when you restarted, while an app configured to start automatically launches at sign-in regardless of whether you had it open. A shortcut in a Startup folder or a registry Run entry can also launch an app. The place to change the setting depends on which mechanism is responsible.
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| Possible cause | What triggers it | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Restartable-app restoration | You sign in after a restart | Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options (Microsoft Support) |
| Registered startup app | You sign in | Settings > Apps > Startup, or Task Manager > Startup apps (Microsoft Support) |
| Startup-folder shortcut | You sign in | Run shell:startup or shell:common startup (Microsoft Support) |
| Registry Run entry | Windows starts or you sign in | Registry Run locations; advanced users only (Microsoft Support) |
| Windows Backup app restoration | You set up a new PC or reinstall Windows | Windows Backup and the setup restore flow (Microsoft Support) |
How to stop apps from reopening after a reboot
1. Turn off restartable-app restoration
- Open Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
- Turn off Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign in.
- Restart and sign in to see whether the app still returns.
Microsoft gives this setting as a way to prevent Microsoft Edge from starting when you sign in. It can be a useful first check if apps you had open reappear, but it does not establish that every app launch is caused by this option. See Microsoft’s Edge guidance.
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2. Disable the app in Startup settings
If the app still opens, it may be configured to launch at sign-in independently of restartable-app restoration.
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- Open Settings > Apps > Startup.
- Find the app and switch it off.
- Alternatively, open Task Manager > Startup apps and disable the corresponding entry there. Task Manager also displays startup impact.
Windows’ startup-app controls apply to Windows 11 and Windows 10. Microsoft’s startup-app guide covers both routes.
3. Check the Startup folders
If the app does not appear in the startup list, check whether a shortcut launches it when you sign in.
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- Press Windows key + R to open Run.
- Enter
shell:startupto open the current user’s Startup folder, orshell:common startupto open the folder used for all users. - If you find a shortcut that clearly launches the app, remove that shortcut. Do not delete items you do not recognize.
4. Treat registry entries as a last resort
Apps can also be configured to launch through Windows registry Run locations for the current user or all users. Microsoft documents these locations, but warns that registry changes can have unintended consequences. Avoid deleting or changing entries unless you know what they do; for most readers, the Settings, Task Manager, and Startup-folder checks are safer. Read Microsoft’s startup-app guidance.
Is this happening after every reboot or only during setup?
Windows Backup can restore app pins during setup of a new PC or after reinstalling Windows. That is different from an app launching each time you restart an existing installation. If the behavior began during a new-device setup or reinstall, consider the setup restore flow; if it happens after ordinary restarts, check restartable-app restoration and startup entries instead. Microsoft’s Windows Backup guide describes backup and restoration behavior.
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