How to Disable Startup Programs in Windows 10 & 11 (4 Methods)

Disabling unnecessary startup programs is the fastest, most effective way to speed up your Windows boot time. Here are four methods — from the simplest to the most thorough — plus how to prevent programs from sneaking back into your startup list.

Whether you want to turn off a single app or do a complete startup cleanup, this guide covers every method available in Windows 10 and 11, including what happens when you disable an entry and how to undo it if needed.

Method 1: Task Manager — Fastest Method (Windows 10 & 11)

Task Manager is the quickest and safest way to disable startup programs. It works on Windows 8, 10, and 11 and requires no additional software.

Step-by-Step:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. If you see the compact view, click More details
3. Click the Startup tab
4. Look at the Startup impact column — sort by it to find the biggest offenders
5. Right-click any program you want to disable
6. Select Disable
7. The status changes to Disabled
8. Restart your PC — the program will no longer launch at startup

Method 2: Windows Settings App (Windows 10 v1803+ and Windows 11)

The Settings app provides a cleaner interface for managing startup apps and is the preferred method in Windows 11.

Steps for Windows 11:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings
2. Click Apps in the left sidebar
3. Click Startup
4. You'll see all startup apps with an impact rating
5. Toggle the switch to Off next to any app you want to disable

Steps for Windows 10:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings
2. Go to Apps
3. Click Startup in the left panel
4. Toggle apps off as needed

Method 3: The Startup Folder — For Shortcut-Based Entries

Some programs add themselves to startup by placing a shortcut in a special Windows folder rather than the registry. These entries won't show in Task Manager if the shortcut is the only entry method used.

How to Access and Clean the Startup Folder:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog
2. Type shell:startup and press Enter — this opens your personal Startup folder
3. Delete any shortcuts for programs you don't want to run at startup
4. To check startup entries that apply to all users on the PC, type shell:common startup instead

Method 4: Registry Editor — For Entries That Won't Disable

Some programs add startup entries directly to the Windows Registry. While Task Manager handles most of these, occasionally a stubborn entry may need to be removed via the Registry Editor. Only use this method if you're comfortable with the Registry — incorrect edits can cause system problems.

Registry Startup Locations:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run — entries for the current user
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run — entries for all users

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit and press Enter
2. Navigate to one of the registry keys above
3. Find the entry for the program you want to remove
4. Right-click the entry and select Delete
5. Confirm the deletion

Stop Programs From Re-Adding Themselves to Startup

A common frustration: you disable a startup entry, but after the next software update or sometimes just after running the app, it re-adds itself. Some programs are particularly aggressive about this.

The most effective solution is SterJo Startup Patrol — a free tool that monitors all startup locations in real time. The moment any program attempts to add a new startup entry — during installation, during an update, or at any other time — you get an immediate alert and can block it on the spot.

How to Re-Enable a Startup Program You Disabled

Changed your mind? Re-enabling a startup entry is just as easy:

Via Task Manager:

1. Open Task Manager → Startup tab
2. Find the disabled entry (it shows Disabled in the Status column)
3. Right-click it and select Enable
4. Restart for the change to take effect

Via Settings App:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Startup
2. Toggle the app back to On

Methods at a Glance

📚 Related Guides