Prevent programs from starting automatically in Windows
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Before you begin
Often, a program starts automatically because of a shortcut in the Startup
folder in the menu. The program may also run automatically from a registry entry. To remove programs from automatic startup, follow these instructions in order. After completing each set of steps, reboot your device to see if the problem is fixed. If necessary, you can then continue to the next set of instructions.
Remove a shortcut
To remove a shortcut from the Startup
folder:
- Press
Win-r
. In the "Open:" field, type:C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp
Press
Enter
. - Right-click the program you don't want to open at startup and click .
If a shortcut you want in the Startup
folder is pointing to the wrong program, correct it as follows:
- In the
Startup
folder, right-click the appropriate icon and select . - Click the tab. In the "Target:" field, verify that the path statement points to the filename of the correct program. If it does not, enter the accurate path to the program.
Disable items not in the Startup folder
Some startup items have no shortcut in the Startup
folder. You can disable these with either the Startup apps/tasks tool in Settings or the Task Manager. Otherwise, they are only accessible through the registry. If you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with registry editing, use these utilities.
Startup tasks
- In the Windows search box, type
startup apps
(Windows 11) orstartup tasks
(Windows 10), and press . - The window that opens will contain a list of applications that may start when your device boots. To disable an app, toggle the switch to .
Task Manager
- Navigate to the Task Manager.
- If necessary, click to see all of the tabs; select the tab.
- Select the item not to launch at startup, and click .
Remove a registry entry
To remove a startup entry from the registry:
- Press
Win-r
. In the "Open:" field, typeregedit
and pressEnter
. - To save a backup copy of the registry, from the
- Make sure to note the file's destination; by default, it will be saved on the desktop.
- Give the file an obvious name, such as
registry
orregback
, so that you'll remember this file is your registry backup. - In the "Export Range" field, make sure is selected, and then click . This will make a backup of a working registry.
menu, select .
- To expand , click the (plus sign) to the left.
- Expand the tree. Then expand , then , and then .
- Highlight the
Startup
folder. Some of these may be important programs, such as antivirus programs or firewalls. There also may be undesirable or unnecessary programs, such as spyware and advertisement software. You'll need to ascertain what is needed and what is not.
folder. On the right side of the screen, you will see programs that are set to run on startup that might not be included in the - Highlight any program(s) you want to prevent from starting automatically, and then press the
Del
key. Remember that deleting programs here does not remove them from your computer; it only stops them from running automatically. - Changes to the registry are implemented immediately, so you do not need to save your changes. At this point, you may simply close the Registry Editor.
This is document adlf in the Knowledge Base.
Last modified on 2021-12-15 15:37:21.