How to Disable Startup Programs in Windows 11

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By Oluwaseun Bamisile

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Do you wish to disable the startup programs on your Windows 11 PC? This guide has got you covered, as it features multiple ways to accomplish that.

Option 1: Disable Startup Programs Through Task Manager

You can disable any startup app on your Windows 11 computer through the task manager. To achieve that, follow the procedures and screenshots below.

  1. Right-click your Windows 11 PC’s Start menu button and select Task Manager from the options that appear. You can also use the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keyboard shortcut to launch Task Manager.
  1. When Task Manager opens, switch to the Startup tab.
Disable Startup Programs In Windows 11 Through Task Manager
  1. Finally, right-click any startup app you wish to disable and select Disable.

Option 2: Disable Startup Programs From Settings

Through the Settings app on your Windows 11 computer, you can also disable startup apps. The subsequent steps and screenshots demonstrate how to accomplish that.

  1. Right-click the Start menu button on your Windows 11 taskbar and left-click Settings. Alternatively, use the Windows + I keyboard shortcut to open Settings.
Disable Startup Programs In Windows 11 From Settings
  1. After that, click Apps on the left pane of the Settings window.
  1. Following that, select Startup on the right pane of the window.
Disable Startup Programs In Windows 11 From Settings
  1. Finally, by turning off the toggle opposite each startup app, you can disable them.

Option 3: Disable All Startup Programs via System Configuration

Interestingly, you can disable all the startup apps on your Windows 11 computer at once through the system configuration. To do that, observe the following procedures.

  1. On your PC’s taskbar, right-click the Start menu button and left-click Run. You can also press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to launch the Run dialog.
  1. On the Run input field, type “msconfig” and press Enter.
Disable All Startup Programs In Windows 11 Via System Configuration
  1. Aftward, uncheck the Load startup items box under the Selective startup category in the General tab in System Configuration.
  1. Finally, click the OK button at the bottom of the System Configuration window to save the change.
Disable All Startup Programs In Windows 11 Via System Configuration

Option 4: Disable All Startup Programs Through the Local Group Policy Editor

Apart from System Configuration, you can also disable all the startup programs on your Windows 11 computer using the Local Group Policy Editor. The subsequent procedures explain how to accomplish that.

Windows 11 Home edition does not feature the Local Group Policy Editor. Therefore, you cannot implement this method if your computer runs on Windows 11 Home edition.
  1. Use the Windows + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run dialog. Then, input “gpedit.msc” (without the quotes) in the Run input field and click OK.
Disable All Startup Programs In Windows 11 Through Local Group Policy Editor
  1. When Local Group Policy Editor opens, navigate to the path below using the folders on the left pane. Next, double-click Run these programs at user logon on the right pane of the window.
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Logon
  1. Then, select Disabled in the Run these programs at user logon window and click OK to save the change.
Disable All Startup Programs In Windows 11 Through Local Group Policy Editor

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I find my startup programs in CMD?

To find the startup apps on your Windows 11 PC through CMD, follow the steps below.
a) Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run dialog.
b) Type “cmd” in the Run dialog box and press enter.
c) When Command Prompt opens, input “wmic” and press enter.
d) After that, input “startup” and press enter again. Hence, the startup programs on your PC should appear.

2. What are startup apps?

Startup applications are apps that automatically launch whenever a computer boots.

3. Is it OK if I disable Microsoft OneDrive on startup?

Yes, it is okay to disable Microsoft OneDrive on startup.

4. Does antivirus start on startup?

Sure, antivirus programs on your computer start on startup.

5. Does all Windows OS have startup programs?

Yes, all Windows operating systems feature startup programs.

Conclusion

Too many startup programs can sometimes make your Windows 11 computer lag. Fortunately, this guide included multiple methods to disable startup apps in Windows 11.

To be specific, we discussed how to disable startup programs through Task Manager and Settings. This guide also taught us to disable all startup programs at once via System Configuration and the Local Group Policy Editor.

I hope you found this guide helpful and easy to understand. If you did, click on “Yes” beside the “Was this page helpful” question below.

You may also express your thoughts and opinions by using the “Leave a Comment” form at the bottom of this page.

Finally, for more Windows 11 how-to guides, visit our Windows 11 How-To page. 

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About the Author

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Oluwaseun Bamisile

Oluwaseun is the Lead Content Editor at Itechguides.com. He holds a National Diploma in Computer Science (currently studying part-time for his Higher National Diploma). An internet geek with a love for automobiles, he writes product reviews, tech articles, and how-to guides on the site.

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