How to Remove Programs from Startup in
Windows 10 & Windows 11

How to Stop Programs from Opening on Startup in Windows

When too many programs start automatically with Windows, your computer can boot slowly, feel unresponsive after login, and waste RAM in the background. Common examples include messengers, game launchers, cloud sync tools, printer utilities, update assistants, VPN clients, and vendor control panels.

The good news is that you usually do not need to uninstall these programs. You can simply remove them from startup so they stay installed but launch only when you open them manually.

Remove Programs from Startup Using Windows Settings

The Settings app is the simplest way to manage startup apps in Windows 10 and Windows 11. It is ideal for everyday users because it shows a clean list of apps that can be switched on or off.

Windows 11: Disable Startup Apps in Settings

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Apps → Startup.
3. Review the list of apps and check the Startup impact column.
4. Turn Off the switch next to any app you do not want to launch automatically.
5. Restart your PC or sign out and sign back in to test the result.

Windows 10: Disable Startup Apps in Settings

1. Press Win + I.
2. Open Apps → Startup.
3. Sort or review apps by startup impact.
4. Switch unnecessary apps to Off.

Disable Startup Programs in Task Manager

Task Manager is one of the most reliable built-in tools for managing startup programs. It shows publisher information, status, and startup impact, which helps you decide what to disable.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Task Manager. You can also press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
2. In Windows 11, open the Startup apps section from the left sidebar. In Windows 10, open the Startup tab.
3. Click the Startup impact column to sort the list.
4. Select an app you do not need at startup.
5. Click Disable.

What the Startup Impact Column Means

• High impact: the app may significantly slow startup.
• Medium impact: the app has a moderate effect on boot time.
• Low impact: the app has a small effect, but disabling many low-impact items can still help.
• Not measured: Windows does not yet have enough data to estimate the impact.

Remove Shortcuts from the Windows Startup Folder

Some programs start automatically because they place a shortcut in the Startup folder. Removing that shortcut stops the program from launching at sign-in.

Open the Startup Folder for Your User Account

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type shell:startup and press Enter.
3. Delete shortcuts for apps you do not want to start automatically.

Open the Startup Folder for All Users

1. Press Win + R.
2. Type shell:common startup and press Enter.
3. If prompted, confirm administrator permission.
4. Remove unnecessary shortcuts.

Disable Startup Programs in Task Scheduler

Some applications do not appear in Settings or Task Manager because they launch through scheduled tasks. This is common for updaters, launchers, telemetry tools, and vendor utilities.

1. Press Win + R, type taskschd.msc, and press Enter.
2. Open Task Scheduler Library.
3. Look for tasks with triggers such as At log on or At startup.
4. Select a task and read its Actions tab to see what program it launches.
5. If the task is not needed, right-click it and choose Disable.

Remove Startup Programs from the Windows Registry

Windows can launch programs from special Registry keys. Editing these keys is powerful but risky, so use this method only if the startup item does not appear in Settings, Task Manager, or the Startup folder.

Common Registry Locations for Startup Programs

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

How to Remove a Startup Entry from the Registry

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to one of the Registry paths listed above.
3. Right-click the key and choose Export to save a backup.
4. In the right pane, identify the value that launches the unwanted program.
5. Right-click that value and select Delete.
6. Restart Windows and confirm the program no longer starts automatically.

Find Hidden Startup Items with Microsoft Autoruns

Autoruns is an advanced Microsoft Sysinternals utility that shows almost every auto-start location in Windows: logon entries, scheduled tasks, services, drivers, browser extensions, shell extensions, and more. It is useful when a program keeps starting even after you disabled it in Task Manager.

1. Download Autoruns from the official Microsoft Sysinternals page.
2. Extract the archive and run Autoruns64.exe as administrator.
3. Open the Logon tab to see typical startup programs.
4. Uncheck an entry to disable it without deleting it.
5. Restart Windows and test whether the unwanted program is gone from startup.

Best Ways to Remove Startup Programs in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Which Startup Programs Are Safe to Disable?

Disabling startup apps is generally safe, but some background components are important. Use this checklist before turning everything off.

How to Identify an Unknown Startup Program

1. Open Task Manager → Startup apps.
2. Right-click the suspicious entry and choose Open file location.
3. Check the folder path and file properties.
4. Right-click the file, open Properties, and review the Digital Signatures tab if available.
5. If the file is in a strange temporary folder or has no clear publisher, scan it with Windows Security before disabling or deleting anything.

What to Do If a Program Keeps Starting Automatically

If a program returns to startup after you disable it, the app may be recreating its startup entry. This often happens with launchers, update services, and sync clients.

1. Open the program itself and check its settings for options like Launch at startup, Start with Windows, or Run in background.
2. Disable the option inside the app first.
3. Then disable the entry in Settings or Task Manager.
4. Check Task Scheduler for related updater tasks.
5. Use Autoruns if the program still comes back.

Frequently Asked Questions About Windows Startup Programs