The Startup programs are basically those apps that boot up right after when Windows reloads or switches on. By default, Microsoft has set certain apps that launch themselves automatically on Windows startup.
The list includes Cortana, Windows Terminal, Microsoft OneDrive, Windows Security, Graphic card, and Microsoft Team. These are the apps that Microsoft thinks are basic and must be running for the Windows environment.
It’s quite a good thing if you are going to use those apps right after Windows 11 reloads. However, what if you don’t require them for a full session? So, it’s a good practice to check and disable those startup programs that you think are unnecessarily booting up on Windows 11 startup.
Should I disable Startup Programs?
Adding applications that you frequently use to the startup list is going to help you one way or another. But, keeping programs that you rarely use will only waste system resources and decrease your system’s overall performance.
If you visit the Startup Programs section, you will find they are of three types. Each app displays an impact indicator just below it. This tells us about how many resources are in use by that particular app. In simpler words, when an application is using less storage, you will see a Low impact otherwise High impact. The three types that you may see here are as follows –
- High impact: Programs that utilizes more than 1 second of CPU time.
- Medium impact: Programs that utilizes more than 0.3-1 second of CPU time.
- Low impact: Programs that spends less than 0.3 second of CPU time.
Identify the apps that are wasting huge system resources and then turn them off. Proceeding this way will be beneficial and boost your system’s overall performance.
Do Startup apps include third-party apps as well?
Yes indeed. Whenever you install a third-party app on your device, the app asks for your consent to startup whenever the system is turned on. There are instances when an external app adds itself to the Startup programs without even asking for your consent. Finding and disabling such an app will prevent these apps from hogging the system resources or making your system run slow.
How do I disable Startup Programs on Windows 10
Enable/Disable Startup Programs in Windows 11
If you are facing performance issues on your computer, you should turn off the startup programs. After disabling them, check if the problem persists or has been resolved.
There are three ways by which you can disable a startup program on Windows 11. Let’s learn how to implement these methods on your computer –
1. Using Settings
Disabling startup programs in Windows 11 is quite easy using the Settings app. Here’s how to perform this task –
- Press “Windows key + I” to invoke the Settings app.
- On the left pane, select the Apps option.
- Head over to the right side, and click to expand the option – Startup. See the Snapshot below –
- The subsequent page will display a list of the programs that you may configure.
- All you require is to slide the apps’ toggle switches to the left.
- After you have found the faulty program, slide its toggle switch to the left, and restart your PC.
2. Disable Startup Programs From Task Manager
If we talk about Windows 10, all such activities were easily done via Task Manager. This trend continues on Windows 11 as well. Here’s how to disable startup applications or items using Task Manager –
- Press “Windows key + X” to open the Power menu.
- Select Task Manager and then More details.
- Go to the Startup tab and you will get to see all startup programs enabled there.
- To disable an application, right-click over it, and choose the option – Disable.
Note: In case you want to disable more than one apps, re-follow the steps above, and get the work done.
3. Via Task Scheduler
Task Scheduler also presents a way using which you may disable the startup programs on Windows 11 PC. Using this, you may disable even those apps that are not listed inside Settings or Task Manager. For this, you may follow the below guideline –
- Hit the Search button and type “Task Scheduler” in the text field.
- When a matching result appears on the search window, click over the same.
- When Task Scheduler opens up, go to the left pane, and select Task Scheduler Library.
- The central pane will display a list of items that don’t appear elsewhere.
- Select all the apps that you no longer need, and hit Disable under the Action Pane.
That’s it, the selected apps or programs from here onward will remain in the disabled state unless you re-enable them back manually.
Should I disable all the startup programs?
Some of the system apps are critical in nature and must be running right from the Windows startup. One should not go and stop apps that belong to this category like antivirus, network firewall, etc. If you do disable such apps, you are doing more harm than good as you are putting your system at risk. So, you should disable only those apps that are non-critical in nature.
Note: If you do disable such an app, make sure to manually launch them after starting Windows OS.
