How to Stop Startup Apps in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

You’re not alone — one of the most common reasons your computer feels slow right after booting up is too many startup apps running in the background.

Fortunately, Windows 11 makes it easy to stop unnecessary startup programs and speed up your system in just a few minutes.

In this comprehensive, step-by-step guide, we’ll show you exactly how to stop startup apps in Windows 11, explain why it matters, and share pro tips to optimize your PC’s boot performance.

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Why Stop Startup Apps on Windows 11?

Every time you start your computer, certain programs automatically launch — some you actually need (like antivirus software), but many others are just slowing you down.

Here’s what happens:

• 🕐 Slower boot times — more apps mean more load on the CPU and memory during startup.

• 💾 Higher RAM usage — apps run in the background, consuming resources.

• 🔋 Battery drain (on laptops) — background programs reduce battery life.

• 🌐 Sluggish performance — even simple tasks feel slower.

By managing startup apps, you can boost performance, free up resources, and make your PC start much faster — often in seconds.

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💡 What Are Startup Apps?

Startup apps are programs that automatically run when Windows boots up — without you opening them manually.

Some common examples include:

💬 Tip: Not all startup apps are bad — some are essential, but many aren’t needed unless you open them yourself.

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🧾 How to Stop Startup Apps in Windows 11 (Quick Overview)

Here’s a summary of the most effective ways to disable startup apps:

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🧰 Method 1: Disable Startup Apps from Settings

This is the simplest and safest way to manage startup programs in Windows 11.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

2. Click Apps on the left sidebar.

3. Select Startup.

4. You’ll see a list of all startup apps with On/Off toggles.

5. Turn Off the toggle for any app you don’t want to start automatically.

Each app includes a “Startup impact” label — High, Medium, or Low — showing how much it slows down your system.

💡 Pro Tip: Disable all apps marked High impact, unless essential.

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⚙️ Method 2: Disable Startup Programs via Task Manager

The Task Manager is another convenient tool for controlling startup apps.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

2. Click the Startup apps tab on the left sidebar.

3. Review the list of apps.

4. Select an app → click Disable at the top.

✅ Bonus: You can sort apps by “Startup impact” to see which ones slow down boot time the most.

💬 Tip: Leave security or driver-related software (like Intel, NVIDIA, or antivirus apps) enabled.

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📁 Method 3: Use Windows Startup Folder

Windows has a hidden Startup Folder where apps can automatically launch from shortcuts.

How to Access It:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

2. Type:

   shell:startup


   and hit Enter.

3. Delete or move shortcuts of any apps you don’t want to start automatically.

💡 Note: This only affects user-specific startup programs. To edit startup for all users, use:

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🧩 Method 4: Stop Startup Apps with System Configuration (msconfig)

If you’ve used older Windows versions, you might remember msconfig — it’s still handy for advanced startup control.

Step-by-Step:

1. Press Windows + R → type:

   msconfig


   and press Enter.

2. Go to the Startup tab.

3. Click Open Task Manager (redirects to Startup settings).

4. Disable unnecessary apps there.

💬 Tip: This method is great if you’re troubleshooting startup problems or conflicts.

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🧠 Method 5: Disable Startup Apps Using the Registry Editor (Advanced)

⚠️ Warning: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can cause system issues. Proceed carefully and back up your registry first.

Step-by-Step:

1. Press Windows + R, type:

   regedit


   and hit Enter.

2. Navigate to:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run


3. You’ll see a list of startup entries.

4. Right-click any unwanted app → select Delete.

💡 Pro Tip: Only remove entries for apps you recognize. Don’t touch system components.

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💻 Method 6: Manage Startup Apps via PowerShell or Command Prompt

If you prefer using commands, this is a clean and efficient way to manage startup apps.

PowerShell Command to List Startup Apps:

To Disable a Specific App:

Manually remove the app shortcut or registry entry based on the output above.

Alternatively, in Command Prompt, you can run:

to list all startup items.

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🧮 Method 7: Use Third-Party Tools to Manage Startup Programs

Third-party utilities give you more control and visualization over startup apps.

💡 Pro Tip: Autoruns by Microsoft is the most powerful — but it’s for advanced users who understand Windows processes.

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🔍 How to Identify Safe vs. Unsafe Startup Apps

It’s not always clear which apps are safe to disable.
Here’s a quick reference:

💬 Tip: If you’re unsure, right-click the app and select Search online in Task Manager to learn what it does.

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🚀 Tips to Speed Up Your Windows 11 Startup Even More

Stopping startup apps is a great start — but here’s how you can make your boot times lightning-fast:

1. Enable Fast Startup:

   • Go to Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do → Turn on fast startup.

2. Keep Windows Updated:

   • Updates often improve boot performance.

3. Defragment or Optimize Drives:

   • Search Defragment and Optimize Drives, then analyze your SSD/HDD.

4. Uninstall Unused Software:

   • Clean up unnecessary apps from Settings → Apps → Installed apps.

5. Scan for Malware:

   • Run Windows Security → Quick Scan to rule out background malware.

6. Check for Startup Services:

   • In Task Manager → Services, disable unneeded background services.

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💬 Common Questions About Windows 11 Startup Apps

1. How do I know which apps are slowing down startup?

Open Task Manager → Startup Apps, and sort by “Startup impact.” Apps with High impact are slowing your boot.

2. Can disabling startup apps cause problems?

Not usually. Just avoid disabling essential apps like antivirus, audio, or display drivers.

3. Do I need to restart my PC after disabling startup apps?

No — the changes take effect the next time you restart automatically.

4. How can I re-enable an app to start at boot again?

Go to Settings → Apps → Startup, then toggle it back On.

5. What’s the difference between startup apps and background apps?

Startup apps run automatically at boot; background apps run after launch to provide updates or notifications.

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🧩 Conclusion

Now you know exactly how to stop startup apps in Windows 11 — using Settings, Task Manager, or even advanced tools like PowerShell or Autoruns.

By disabling unnecessary startup programs, you can:

• Speed up boot times

• Free system memory

• Improve overall performance

• Extend battery life (on laptops)

A few minutes of optimization can make your PC feel brand new again.

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🧾 Summary: Key Takeaways

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In short:
Stopping unnecessary startup apps is one of the easiest and most effective ways to boost Windows 11 performance. With just a few clicks, you can make your PC start up faster, run smoother, and feel more responsive every day. 🚀