It is unnecessary to let programs you rarely use start automatically when you log in to Windows 10. Turn off the autostart to free up resources that can be used for other things and also the operating system becomes responsive a little faster
Here we suggest four simple ways to turn off programs that start by themselves in Windows 10. If you instead want to set up an app to actually start, then of course you do just the opposite of what the instructions here say.
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FAQ about autostarting programs in Windows 10
When a program starts, the computer must give it a certain amount of processing power and space in the RAM. When many programs start at the same time, so many resources are allocated that Windows 10 can take a long time to complete the login / startup. By minimizing the number of programs that auto-start, you can use your computer faster.
No, it’s very simple. It takes very little prior knowledge of Windows 10 to remove them from autostart. All that is needed is a little basic knowledge of how dialog boxes and menus work in general in the operating system.
If you have a newer computer with powerful hardware, the probability is that you only notice a small difference when you remove programs that start automatically, at most a few seconds in many cases. But it is good to remove them anyway because it is unnecessary to have programs running when they are not needed.
No, you need to be aware of what you are disabling because some programs are used for hardware functions. For example, the manufacturer Realtek, which makes sound circuits, has a program that autostarts with Windows 10. It needs to be active for you to get sound from Windows if you use the built-in sound circuit. Only delete things you know can be disabled.
1. Auto-start in Windows 10
The easiest way to start apps automatically in Windows 10 is to use the built-in setting of the operating system.
Path: Start menu> Settings> Apps and features> Autostart
On the left you have an icon and the program name, on the right a switch to turn on / off the setting and the estimated effect the program has on the computer at startup.
Click the switch to switch the status of each program that is installed.
2. Set directly in the program
Some programs have a setting to enable auto-start with Windows 10.
Among other things, Windows’ own functions and apps, such as the cloud storage service OneDrive.
It is important that you also check these, because they do not appear in our first option with Autostart settings in Windows 10.
3. Use the Task Manager
If you both want to turn off programs (or start) from autostarting in Windows 10 – and at the same time get useful information about how to use your computer hardware – you can use the Task Manager.
Here you see the same program that can start with Windows 10 as in the Autostart setting (first point), and details about your processor, RAM, disk drives, network connection and graphics card.
A slightly more advanced solution simply for you who want more control of your computer.
To use the Task Manager with autostart program, follow these steps:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + ESC on the keyboard at the same time
- Find and click on the Autostart tab
- Select the program you want to change
- Click the Disable button (lower right corner)
- Repeat with everyone to be turned off
4. Remove the programs from the Windows 10 Startup folder
The last and most tricky option is to remove the programs from the special autostart folder in Windows 10.
For us, this folder is completely empty and thus not useful, but it is worth checking so that there is nothing left that will be lost for the rest of you. For the demonstration here, we added a shortcut to GOG GALAXY.
To use the autostart folder, follow these steps:
The first way
- Press Win + R
- Paste shell: startup
- Press Enter
The second way
- Open Windows Explorer 10
- Paste the path below (change username)
- Press Enter
C:Users*användarnamn*AppDataRoamingMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsStartup
If there are application shortcuts in the folder, select them and delete them, for example by pressing DEL on the keyboard. Alternatively, right-click on the shortcuts and delete them via the menu.
Bonus: Remove autostarting programs in Windows 8
With Windows 8, you use the Task Manager to remove programs you want to start when Windows 10 starts. It’s exactly the same approach as in Windows 10.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + ESC on the keyboard at the same time
- Find and click on the Autostart tab
- Select the program you want to change
- Click the Disable button (lower right corner)
- Repeat with everyone to be turned off
Bonus: Remove autostarting programs in Windows 7 / Vista
If you are still using an old version of Windows such as Windows 7 or Vista, use the System Configuration dialog.
- Click the Start menu> Next, the search box
- Write msconfig
- In the System Configuration dialog that appears, click the Autostart tab
- Check OFF all programs you do not want to start automatically
It’s not harder than that.
