This guide is meant to help you learn how to disable startup programs in Windows 10. We’ll go over methods that make use of the Task Manager, as well as the Registry Editor (Regedit).
These days, no doubt our lives have become far easier and simpler when compared to those who lived a few decades ago.
With the ease of access to multiple facilities and shorter waiting times for any calls and transactions, we’re living in the golden age of technology.
Of all the advancements made in the 21st century, none can top the invention of the computer.
Initially, just a tool used by scientists for complex calculations, modern operating systems made it possible for computers to be integrated into the daily lives of all.
One of the pioneers in making computers accessible to all was Microsoft. With the release of their Windows operating systems, demands for desktop computers skyrocketed.
Microsoft continued to dominate the market with newer and better releases of their operating system. From Windows 95 to Windows XP, to Windows 10, and the new Windows 11.
While Windows 10 offers support for a lot of programs, it can prove to backfire if they automatically boot up during startup.
This will take up a lot of resources, causing a big startup impact, slowing down your system.
Table of Contents
How to disable startup programs in Windows 10
Closing programs using the Task Manager
In this method, you’ll make use of the Task Manager to disable any programs from running right after a Windows startup.
As long as you follow the steps correctly, you should be able to disable Windows startup programs with ease.
It should be noted that this method is meant for Windows 10, however, it shouldn’t differ much from Windows 8/8.1.
The same can’t be said to disable startup apps on Windows 7 and its predecessors though.
To disable Windows startup programs using the Task Manager, follow these steps:
- Open Task Manager. You can do this by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting “Task Manager” from the menu;
- You should see a window similar to the one in the image below;
- In the Task Manager, navigate to the Startup tab. You should get a list of startup programs as shown in the following image;
- The Startup tab contains a list of all startup applications that boot up once you start your system. Select the program you wish to disable and click “Disable“;
If you’re unsure of what to disable then don’t worry, we’ve got some tips to help you.
First and foremost, you’d want to disable the applications that you don’t use that often. Preventing these startup programs and apps should be your top priority.
Afterward, you should divert your attention to the background applications. These are programs that don’t open up in the form of an application but are consuming resources in the background.
They can be seen as unwanted if you’re not planning to use any of them. It’s a good idea to remove them from your system altogether.
Lastly, you can use the Startup programs Impact column as a good measure of whether it’s a good idea to disable an application or not.
If you followed the steps correctly, then be at ease. You’ve successfully learned to disable startup programs on Windows 10.
If this method didn’t work out for you, or you’d like to disable some applications not visible on the Task Manager, pay attention to the next method.
Disabling startup programs using Registry Editor
While the previous method is good for stopping most applications from startup, it may not work for all.
Disabling certain applications might require you to make use of Windows Registry Editor.
While using the Windows Registry Editor may seem a little daunting, you shouldn’t face any difficulties so long as you follow the steps correctly.
That being said, let’s take a look at the steps:
- Start by opening the Registry Editor. To do this, press Windows Key + R to open the Run prompt and type “Regedit“. Click “Ok“;
- You should see a window that resembles the one in the image below;
- In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the following directory:
“HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE→SOFTWARE→Microsoft→Windows→CurrentVersion→Run or Run Once”
- Once you’re at the desired directory, click on the default file. You should see a list of files for startup apps. Delete the ones that you don’t want to boot up.
If you followed the steps correctly, you’ve successfully prevented unnecessary startup programs from booting up on your next startup.
Still, we’ve got one more method in-store.
Closing startup programs using MSConfig
Startup programs can also be disabled with the help of MSConfig. This method is fairly easy to follow and makes use of a few simple steps.
By following them correctly, you should have the pretended startup apps disabled on your system:
- Begin by opening MSConfig on your system. To do this, press Windows Key + R to open the run window and type “MSConfig“. Click on “Ok“;
- You should see the System Configuration Utility window open up as shown in the image below;
- From here, navigate to the Startup tab of the System Configuration window. For the newer releases of Windows 10, it will prompt you to go to the Startup section of your Task Manager window. Don’t worry, as there are still some Windows settings that you can use to make your life easier;
- Navigate back to the General tab of the System Configuration Window, and under the Startup Selection, select “Selective Startup“;
- Now, proceed to the Services tab. Disable any services that might prove to be a hindrance. If you are unsure of what to remove, click on “Hide All Microsoft Services“;
- Once it’s done, select “Disable All” to prevent all unwanted programs and services from showing on startup;
- With all the settings configured, click “Ok” to save your changes and reboot your system.
Now, none of the unwanted startup programs and apps should boot on your next startup!
Wrap up
We hope this guide was helpful for you to learn how to disable startup programs and apps on Windows 10.
Throughout this article, we went over different methods of disabling startup apps, involving the use of Task Manager, MSConfig, and Registry Editors.
With this, you’re able to make the most of your Microsoft Windows PC experience.
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