Having too many apps launching automatically when your computer starts can slow down the boot process and consume system resources. This can be frustrating, especially if you don't need those apps running right away. Fortunately, there are straightforward ways to stop apps from opening on startup, depending on your operating system. Here are the steps for both Windows and Mac users.
Open the Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc simultaneously. This will bring up the Task Manager window.
Navigate to the Startup tab: In the Task Manager, click on the Startup tab. Here, you'll see a list of all the apps that are set to launch when your computer starts.
Disable startup apps: For each app you want to prevent from starting up, select it and then click the Disable button at the bottom right of the window. For example, if you have a music streaming app that you don't need to start immediately when your computer boots, simply select it in the list and click Disable.
Open the System Configuration: Press the Windows key and type "System Configuration". Select "System Configuration" from the search results.
Go to the Startup tab in System Configuration: In the System Configuration window, click on the Startup tab.
Uncheck apps to disable startup: You'll see a list of apps with checkboxes next to them. Uncheck the boxes for the apps you don't want to start with your computer. After making your selections, click OK and then restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Open the Settings app: Press Win + I to open the Windows Settings.
Navigate to Apps > Startup: In the Settings app, click on Apps, and then select Startup from the left sidebar.
Toggle off startup apps: Here, you'll find a list of apps with toggles next to them. Toggle off the apps you don't want to start when your computer boots. The changes will take effect immediately.
Open System Preferences: Click on the Apple menu in the top - left corner of the screen and select System Preferences.
Go to Users & Groups: In System Preferences, click on the Users & Groups icon.
Select your user account: On the left side of the Users & Groups window, make sure your user account is selected.
Navigate to the Login Items tab: Click on the Login Items tab at the top.
Remove apps from startup: In the list of Login Items, select the apps you don't want to open on startup and click the minus (-) button at the bottom of the list. For instance, if you have a file - sharing app that you don't need to start automatically, select it and click the minus button.
Open Activity Monitor: Press Cmd + Space to open Spotlight Search. Type "Activity Monitor" and press Enter.
Check for launch agents: In Activity Monitor, click on the View menu and select "All Processes". Then, look for processes related to the apps you want to stop from starting up. These may be listed as "launch agents".
Find the relevant launch agent plist file: Once you've identified the process, you can find the corresponding launch agent plist (property list) file. This file contains the instructions for the app to start on startup.
Modify or remove the plist file (with caution): This is an advanced step. You can either move the plist file to a different location (e.g., the Trash) or open it with a text editor and modify the startup settings. However, be extremely careful when modifying plist files, as incorrect changes can cause issues with the app or your system. It's recommended to make a backup of the file before making any changes.
By following these steps, you can take control of which apps start when your computer boots, leading to a faster startup time and a more optimized system. Remember to only disable apps that you don't need to run immediately upon startup, as some apps may be required for the proper functioning of your computer or certain features.
