This post discusses different methods to disable startup programs in Windows 11. If you are wondering how I can stop programs from running on startup, the techniques discussed in this guide will surely help.

On your Windows 10/11 PC, you’ll find a set of programs that automatically run every time you boot up your computer. Most programs add themselves to the startup list, which wastes resources and can slow down your computer and may cause problems like a bootable failure, system crash, black screen, etc.

Removing the unwanted programs from the PC at startup can significantly speed up the boot time of your Windows 11 PC. So, I strongly advise you to review your startup programs and disable any that are no longer required. Let’s get started.

Install and Update Third Party Applications with Patch My PC
Install and Update Third Party Applications with Patch My PC

Where are startup apps stored?

The startup programs are launched from the Windows 11 startup folder, which is located in the following path: C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.

Also Read: Set Windows Terminal as Default Command Line

1. Disable Startup Programs in Windows 11 using Settings

On Windows 11, the recommended way to disable the startup programs is using Windows Settings. Let’s see how you can accomplish that.

1. Click on the Start Menu and open the Settings app.

Windows Start Menu and Settings in Windows 11
Launch Windows 11 Settings

2. On the Settings window, select Apps in the left sidebar. Now under Apps, select the option “Startup“.

Disable Startup Programs in Windows 11 using Settings
Disable Startup Programs in Windows 11 using Settings

3. The Startup window displays the list of apps that you can enable or disable to run at the startup. Turn off the toggle switch for each program to prevent it from running at startup.

Disable Startup Programs in Windows 11 using Settings
Disable Startup Programs in Windows 11 using Settings

2. Disable Startup Programs with Task Manager

Follow the below steps to use the Task Manager to stop programs from launching automatically at startup.

Step 1. Right-click the Start Menu in the Windows 11 taskbar and select Task Manager.

Launch Windows 11 Task Manager
Launch Windows 11 Task Manager

2. Select the Startup tab in the Task Manager. On the right-hand side, the Status tab displays the status of each app and shows whether it’s enabled to run at startup or disabled.

Disable Startup Programs with Task Manager
Disable Startup Programs with Task Manager

3. Right-click an app and select Disable. The disabled app will not load at startup with next boot.

Disable Startup Programs with Task Manager
Disable Startup Programs with Task Manager

3. Disable Startup Programs using Task Scheduler

Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in task creation, scheduling, and management utility called Task Scheduler. You can use the task scheduler to disable startup tasks or programs by following the below steps:

  1. On your Windows 11 PC, click Start and type “Task Scheduler” and select Task Scheduler app from the search results.
  2. Select the Task Scheduler Library option, and here you will find startup tasks, including the startup programs that run at startup.
  3. To disable the startup program, select a program from the list and select the Disable option.
Disable Startup Programs in Windows 11 using Task Scheduler
Disable Startup Programs in Windows 11 using Task Scheduler

4. Prevent programs from running at startup from Registry on Windows 11

On Windows 11, you can disable startup programs from the Registry. This requires deleting the program entries from the “Run” and “StartupApproroved” keys.

Open the registry editor by running the command regedit. In the registry editor, navigate to the following path:

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartupApproved\Run

Each program that is set to run at startup is displayed here. Right-click on the program registry key and select Delete.

Prevent programs from running at startup from Registry
Prevent programs from running at startup from Registry

Next, browse to the below path in the registry editor and again right-click on the key that is associated with the startup program and select Delete.

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Prevent programs from running at startup from Registry
Prevent programs from running at startup from Registry

5. Stop Startup Programs using Group Policy on Windows 11

On Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise version, users can stop startup programs with the help of the Group Policy Editor app. The group policy setting “Run these programs at user logon” lets you enable or disable all the startup programs in Windows 10/11.

  • Launch the Run dialog by pressing the keys Windows + R. Type gpedit.msc in the box and press the OK button. This will launch the Group Policy Editor on your PC.
  • In the Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the following path: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Logon.
  • In the right pane, locate the policy called Run these programs at user logon and double-click on it.
  • On the policy settings window, select Disabled. All the Windows 11 startup programs will be disabled.
Change Startup Programs in Windows 11 using Group Policy Editor
Change Startup Programs in Windows 11 using Group Policy Editor

Still Need Help?

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Prajwal Desai

Prajwal Desai is a technology expert and 10 time Dual Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) with a focus on Microsoft Intune, SCCM, Windows 365, Enterprise Mobility, and Windows. He is a renowned author, speaker, & community leader, known for sharing his expertise & knowledge through his blog, YouTube, conferences, webinars etc.