Windows: Disable Startup Apps

By Xah Lee. Date: . Last updated: .

Is your Windows starting super slow?

You can disable the apps that starts when system starts.

Disable Windows Startup Apps in Windows 10

Step 1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Escape to start Windows Task Manager

Step 2. Click the Startup tab.

task manager startup tab 2021-03-30
task manager startup tab 2021-03-30

Step 3. Right click the app's status column to disable or enable.

Disable Windows Startup Apps in Windows 7

(Microsoft Windows 7 began in 2009 and is replaced by Windows 8 in 2012)

msconfig startup1
msconfig screen of Startup programs.

To disable auto start of apps:

  1. Press ❖ Window+r
  2. Then, type msconfig.
  3. Then, click on the “Startup” tab.
  4. Uncheck the checkbox to disable auto-start.

Those not from Microsoft are good candidates to disable.

Disable Services

You can also disable some Services.

hp pc startup services
msconfig's Services panel.

Services are like hidden apps. They do something useful in the background.

Click the “Services” tab. Here, you should know what they are before you disable.

WARNING: Disabling critical services can cause problems.

Here's some i disabled:

Microsoft Windows Tips