Monday, September 22, 2025

How to Disable Startup Programs in Windows 11 (Step-by-Step Guide)

 










How to Disable Startup Programs in Windows 11

Windows 11 automatically starts some applications when you boot your PC. While some are useful (like antivirus software), many are unnecessary and slow down your computer.

Here’s the complete guide to disabling startup programs in Windows 11 using different methods.

🔹 Method 1: Disable Startup Programs via Task Manager

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Opens Task Manager.

  2. Go to the Startup apps tab.

  3. Look at Startup impact (High, Medium, Low).

  4. Right-click an app you don’t need → Click Disable.

👉 Example apps to disable: Spotify, Teams, OneDrive (if unused), game launchers.

🔹 Method 2: Disable Startup Apps from Settings

  1. Press Windows + I → Open Settings.

  2. Navigate to Apps → Startup.

  3. Toggle Off the apps you don’t want to start automatically.

🔹 Method 3: Disable Startup Apps from the Startup Folder

  1. Press Windows + R → type:

    shell:startup

  2. This opens the Startup folder.

  3. Delete any shortcut of apps you don’t want to launch.

🔹 Method 4: Disable Services from System Configuration (msconfig)

⚠️ Be careful, only disable non-Microsoft services.

  1. Press Windows + R → type:

    msconfig

  2. Go to the Services tab → Check Hide all Microsoft services.

  3. Disable unnecessary services → Apply → Restart PC.

🔹 Method 5: Disable Startup Apps via Registry Editor (Advanced)

⚠️ Backup your registry before changes.

  1. Press Windows + R → type:

    regedit

  2. Navigate to:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

  3. Delete the entries of apps you don’t want to start.

🔹 Method 6: Disable Scheduled Tasks

Some apps (like update checkers) use Task Scheduler.

  1. Press Windows + S → type Task Scheduler.

  2. Navigate to Task Scheduler Library.

  3. Look for unnecessary tasks (e.g., Adobe updater, game launchers).

  4. Right-click → Disable.

Final Recommendations

  • Keep essential apps only (Antivirus, Windows Security).

  • Disabling unnecessary startup apps reduces boot time and improves performance.

  • Recheck startup apps every few months since new apps may add themselves.