Many apps set themselves to launch every time you sign in to Windows 11, which slows down startup and clutters the system tray. You can stop them in a few clicks from Settings or Task Manager, and clean up the less obvious places where startup items hide. This guide covers every method, how to decide what’s safe to disable, and what to do when an app keeps turning itself back on.
Quick Answer
Open Settings > Apps > Startup and switch off any app you don’t need at sign-in. Or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, open the Startup apps page in Task Manager, right-click an app and choose Disable.
Method 1: Settings
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Click Apps > Startup.
- Use Sort by to sort by Startup impact and see the heaviest apps first.
- Switch off the apps you don’t need to start automatically.
Changes take effect the next time you sign in. The apps still work normally when you open them yourself.
Method 2: Task Manager
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc (or right-click Start > Task Manager).
- Click Startup apps in the left menu (the speedometer icon).
- Right-click an app with status Enabled and choose Disable.
Task Manager also shows the publisher and Startup impact, and you can right-click > Search online if you don’t recognize an entry.
Method 3: The App’s Own Settings
Many apps have their own “Launch at startup” or “Open when I sign in” option. Turning it off inside the app stops it from re-enabling itself after updates. Common places: chat and meeting apps (Settings > General), cloud storage apps (Settings > Settings/Account), and game launchers (Settings > Interface or General).
Method 4: The Startup Folder
- Press Windows + R, type shell:startup and press Enter.
- Delete shortcuts for apps you don’t want to start (for all users, use shell:common startup, which needs admin rights).
What’s Safe to Disable?
| Usually safe to disable | Usually keep enabled |
|---|---|
| Chat and meeting apps | Security and antivirus software |
| Game launchers and store apps | Touchpad, audio and graphics driver utilities |
| Music and video apps | Cloud sync if you rely on it (OneDrive, backup tools) |
| Updaters for Adobe, Java and similar | Password managers you use daily |
| Manufacturer promo and “assistant” apps | Keyboard or mouse software with custom buttons |
If something stops working after you disable an item, turn it back on in the same place.
Startup Apps That Keep Coming Back
- Turn off the option inside the app itself (Method 3).
- Check Task Scheduler (search for it in Start) > Task Scheduler Library for tasks that run “At log on,” and disable the ones you don’t want.
- Some programs use Windows services. Open services.msc and set non-essential third-party services to Manual, carefully.
- Uninstall apps you no longer use in Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Other Ways to Speed Up Startup
- Turn off Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up after an update in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options if apps reopen after restarts.
- Turn off Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in on the same page.
- An SSD makes the biggest difference if your PC still uses a hard drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does disabling a startup app uninstall it?
No. It only stops the app from opening automatically.
Why is an app listed with no name or publisher?
It may be a leftover entry from an uninstalled app, or occasionally unwanted software. Right-click > Open file location or Search online to identify it, and scan with Windows Security if unsure.
Can I delay a startup app instead?
Windows doesn’t have a built-in delay option in Settings, but you can create a Task Scheduler task with a “Delay task for” setting.
Summary
- Settings > Apps > Startup and switch apps off.
- Or use Task Manager > Startup apps > Disable.
- Turn off startup options inside apps that re-enable themselves.
- Check shell:startup and Task Scheduler for hidden items.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.