How do I change autostart settings?

Lesson 15: Disable Applications from Running on Startup

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Disable applications from running on startup

You may not realize it, but your computer runs several applications as soon as it starts. While this is necessary for your computer to function, too many applications running on startup can slow down your computer. Among other ways to keep your computer running smoothly, you can disable applications from running on startup to improve its performance.

Consider before disabling anything

Before you disable an application from starting, consider whether you should. You don't need to disable most applications, but disabling the ones you don't always need or ones that are demanding on your computer's resources can make a big difference. If you use the program every day or if it's necessary for the operation of your computer, you should leave it enabled on startup. You can do an Internet search for the name of a program if you aren't sure what it is or what it does.

Disable in a program's own settings

Some programs have a built-in setting to enable or disable them from running on startup. Each program is different, but it's usually in a settings or configuration menu. Many programs don't have a startup setting because most operating systems can automatically manage which programs run on startup.

Disable in Windows 8 and 10

In Windows 8 and 10, the Task Manager has a Startup tab to manage which applications run on startup. On most Windows computers, you can access the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc, then clicking the Startup tab. Select any program in the list and click the Disable button if you don't want it to run on startup.

Disable in Windows 7 and earlier

In Windows 7 and earlier, the process is a little more complicated. These settings are in the System Configuration utility, also known as msconfig.

1. Open the Start menu and locate the search box. Note: If you're using Windows XP, click Run on the right side of the Start menu.
2. In either the search box or the Run dialog, type msconfig and press Enter.
3. In the System Configuration window, click the Startup tab. The check boxes to the left of each program name indicate if it runs on startup. Once you've changed the selections, click the Apply button.

Unlike the Task Manager in newer versions of Windows, the System Configuration utility in older Windows versions can include essential Windows processes. Be sure you know what you're disabling, or you could damage your operating system!

Disable in OS X

1. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of the screen, then select System Preferences.
2. In the System Preferences window, open Users & Groups.
3. In the Users & Groups window, click the Login Items tab. Select an application and click the minus button to remove it from the startup list, or click the plus button to add an application to the list if you want it to run on startup.

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With Windows Startup Settings you can start Windows in different advanced troubleshooting modes to help you find and fix problems on your PC.

Sign in to your PC with a user account that has administrator rights.

On the Startup Settings screen, choose the startup setting you want.

Once your PC restarts, on the Choose an option screen, tap or click Troubleshoot . If you don't see the Startup Settings option, tap or click Advanced options .

Under PC settings , tap or click Update and recovery , and then tap or click Recovery .

Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings , and then tap Change PC settings . (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings , and then click Change PC settings .)

Get to Windows Startup Settings in the Windows Recovery Environment

If you can't start your PC, follow these instructions to get to the Windows Recovery Environment. You'll need to connect a keyboard to complete the steps.

1. Do one of the following, depending on whether you have installation media (such as a DVD or USB flash drive):

   • If you have installation media for Windows 8.1, start your computer from the installation media. Insert the DVD or USB flash drive and restart your computer. If you see a message asking you to “Press any key to boot from DVD,” do so. If you don’t see the message, you might need to change the boot order in your computer's BIOS settings so that it first starts from the DVD or USB. When you see the Install Windows page, tap or click Repair your computer to start the Windows Recovery Environment.

   • If you don’t have installation media, use the power button to restart your computer three times. This will start the Windows Recovery Environment.

2. In the Windows Recovery Environment, on the Choose an option screen, tap or click Troubleshoot.

3. Tap or click Startup Settings. If you don't see Startup Settings, tap or click Advanced options, and then tap or click Startup Settings.

4. Tap or click Restart, and then wait while your computer restarts.

5. On the Startup Settings screen, choose an option.

6. Sign in to your computer with a user account that has administrator rights.

Some options, such as safe mode, start Windows in a limited state where only essential programs are started. Other options start Windows with advanced features (typically used by system admins and IT pros). For more info, go to the Microsoft TechNet website for IT pros.

Note: If you're using BitLocker, you'll need to suspend it before you can get to Windows Startup Settings. If you're using Windows RT 8.1, you may be asked to enter your Device Encryption recovery key to get to the Startup settings.