To disable startup programs in Windows 10, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and select the Startup tab. Select a program and select Disable. It won’t open by itself the next time you sign in. On a newer PC, see how to change startup programs in Windows 11 instead.
You can also go to Settings > Apps > Startup and turn programs off.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 25, 2026.
Disable startup programs in Task Manager
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. If you see a small window, select More details.
- Select the Startup tab.
- Select the program you want to stop, then select Disable in the lower-right corner.
The Startup impact column shows how much each program slows startup. Start with the ones marked High.
Turn off startup apps in Settings
- Select Start > Settings > Apps.
- Select Startup on the left.
- Turn off the apps you don’t need.
What’s safe to disable
- Usually safe: chat apps, music players, game launchers, cloud storage you don’t need right away, and updaters.
- Keep on: your antivirus, touchpad or keyboard software, and audio or graphics control panels, unless you know you don’t need them.
Disabling a program only stops it from starting automatically. You can still open it anytime.
Add a program to startup
- Press Windows + R, type
shell:startup, and press Enter. The Startup folder opens. - In another window, right-click the program’s shortcut or
.exefile and select Create shortcut. - Move the shortcut into the Startup folder.
To start a program for everyone who uses the PC, use shell:common startup instead. You need to be an administrator.
Many apps also have their own setting, such as Open at login or Start with Windows.
Re-enable a startup program
In Task Manager’s Startup tab, select the program and select Enable. In Settings > Apps > Startup, turn it back on.
If a program still opens at startup
- It’s in the Startup folder: open
shell:startupand delete its shortcut. - It turns itself back on: check the app’s own settings for a start-with-Windows option.
- It’s not in either list: it may be a service or scheduled task. Leave those alone unless you know what they do.
Frequently asked questions
Will disabling startup programs speed up my PC?
It can make startup faster and free up memory, especially on older PCs. If the app is one you no longer use at all, such as the retired Skype app, you can remove Skype from Windows 10 instead of only disabling it.
Is it safe to disable everything?
No. Keep your antivirus and hardware software on.
Does disabling a program uninstall it?
No. To remove it completely, see how to uninstall programs on Windows 10.
To open Task Manager quickly, see how to open Task Manager in Windows 10.
To keep apps from running when you are not using them, see how to close apps running in the background on Windows 10.
To find out whether a startup app or service is causing a problem, see how to perform a clean boot in Windows 10.
If Copilot opens every time you start your PC, see how to turn off Copilot in Windows 10.
For more ways to make startup faster, see how to speed up a Windows 10 computer. Microsoft’s guide is Configure startup applications in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
To stop OneDrive from starting or syncing, see how to turn off OneDrive in Windows 10.
Related: How to remove Wave Browser from Windows.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.