To view and change startup apps in Windows 10, go to Settings > Apps > Startup and turn each app on or off. You can also press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, click the Startup tab, select an app, and click Disable. The Startup impact column shows which apps slow down your PC the most. To make an app start automatically, add a shortcut to it in the Startup folder (Windows + R, type shell:startup).
Method 1: Settings
- Open Settings (Windows + I) and click Apps.
- Click Startup in the left pane.
- Turn off the switch next to any app you don’t want starting with Windows.
Apps are sorted by name. Change Sort by to Startup impact to see the heaviest apps first.
Method 2: Task Manager
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. If you see the small view, click More details.
- Click the Startup tab.
- Select an app and click Disable in the bottom-right corner. Click Enable to turn it back on.
Right-click an app and choose Open file location or Search online if you don’t recognize it.
What’s safe to disable?
| Usually safe to disable | Keep enabled |
|---|---|
| Spotify, Steam, Discord, Zoom, Teams (if you open them yourself) | Windows Security notification icon |
| Adobe and Office updaters | Your antivirus, if you use a third-party one |
| Cloud storage apps you rarely use | Touchpad, audio, and graphics control apps on laptops (these can affect hotkeys and features) |
| Printer and phone companion apps | Apps you need running right away, like a password manager |
Disabling a startup app doesn’t uninstall it. You can still open it anytime from the Start menu.
Add an app to startup
- Press Windows + R, type shell:startup, and press Enter. This opens your personal Startup folder.
- In another window, find the app in the Start menu, right-click it, and choose More > Open file location.
- Copy the app’s shortcut and paste it into the Startup folder.
To start an app for every user on the PC, use shell:common startup instead (needs admin rights).
Other things that run at startup
- Services: Background services run at startup too. Manage them carefully in services.msc, and don’t disable Microsoft services you don’t recognize.
- Scheduled tasks: Some apps use Task Scheduler to start at sign-in.
- Autoruns: Microsoft’s free Autoruns tool (from Sysinternals) shows every startup location. It’s powerful, so change things only if you know what they do.
Frequently asked questions
Will disabling startup apps speed up my PC?
It can make Windows start faster and free up memory, especially if several apps have a High startup impact.
Why does an app keep re-enabling itself?
Some apps have their own “Start at login” setting. Turn it off in the app’s settings as well.
Why isn’t an app listed in Startup?
It may start through a service or scheduled task instead. Check the app’s settings or use Autoruns to find it.
Does this work in Windows 11?
Yes. In Windows 11, go to Settings > Apps > Startup, or use the Startup apps page in Task Manager.
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.