How to Disable Startup Apps in Windows 11 for a Faster Boot (Easy, Proven Methods)

You can disable startup apps in Windows 11 in about 30 seconds. Open Settings > Apps > Startup and switch off anything you don’t need the moment you sign in. Task Manager shows the same list, plus how much each app slows your boot. That makes it easy to spot the real offenders.

We touched on this briefly in our guide on how to set up a new Windows 11 PC and keep it fast. This guide goes much deeper. The steps follow Microsoft’s startup apps instructions, and there’s a clean boot walkthrough at the end for tracking down the app that keeps crashing your PC.

Quick answer: Settings > Apps > Startup > switch the app Off. Want to see which apps slow your boot the most? Right-click Start > Task Manager > Startup apps.

Which fix do you need?

Your situation	Best fix
You just want a faster boot	Disable startup apps in Settings
You want to see which apps hurt boot time most	Use Task Manager startup impact
An app isn’t in either list but still launches	Check the Startup folder
Random crashes, freezes, or pop-ups after sign-in	Run a clean boot
Settings says “We couldn’t find this app”	Troubleshooting

How to disable startup apps in Windows 11 from Settings

This is the fastest and friendliest method.

1. Select Start > Settings > Apps > Startup.
2. Switch the toggle to Off for any app you don’t need right after you sign in.
3. To change an app’s extra settings, select the arrow next to it.

The app won’t launch automatically the next time you sign in. It isn’t uninstalled, and you can still open it whenever you want.

What to keep on: security software, touchpad and audio utilities, graphics control panels, and cloud sync tools like OneDrive if you rely on them. What’s usually safe to turn off: chat apps, game launchers, updater helpers, and the pile of manufacturer extras that came with your PC. Updater helpers can go because you can keep apps current yourself. Here’s how to update PowerShell and other apps with winget.

Use Task Manager to find the slowest startup apps

Task Manager shows the same apps as Settings, but it also tells you how much each one slows your startup.

1. Right-click Start and select Task Manager.
2. Select the Startup apps tab.
3. Sort by Startup impact, select an app, then select Disable.

Here’s what those impact labels mean, according to Microsoft:

Label	What it means
High Impact	More than 1 second of CPU time or more than 3 MB of disk use
Medium Impact	300 milliseconds to 1 second of CPU time, or 292 KB to 3 MB of disk use
Low Impact	Under 300 milliseconds of CPU time and under 292 KB of disk use
Not Measured	The app is enabled, but Windows doesn’t have data on it yet
None	The app is disabled

Start with the High Impact apps you don’t actually need. That’s where you’ll notice the biggest difference.

Check the Startup folder for apps that aren’t listed

Settings and Task Manager only show apps that register a startup task with Windows. Some older programs just drop a shortcut into your Startup folder instead.

1. Press Windows key + R.
2. Type shell:startup and press Enter.
3. Delete or move the shortcut for any app you don’t want launching at sign-in.

Run a clean boot to find a troublemaker

If your PC isn’t just slow but is crashing, freezing, or throwing errors after sign-in, a clean boot helps you find out which app or service is to blame. It starts Windows with only the essentials. You’ll need an administrator account, and some features may not work while you’re in a clean boot (Microsoft Support).

1. Select Search, type msconfig, and open System Configuration.
2. On the Services tab, select Hide all Microsoft services, then Disable all, then Apply.
3. On the Startup tab, select Open Task Manager.
4. On the Startup apps tab, select each Enabled app and choose Disable. Write down everything you turn off.
5. Close Task Manager, select OK in System Configuration, and restart.

If the problem disappears, one of those apps or services was the cause. Turn them back on a few at a time and restart after each batch. When the problem comes back, the culprit is in the last batch you turned on.

Return to normal startup

When you’re done troubleshooting, put everything back:

1. Open System Configuration again and select Normal Startup on the General tab.
2. On the Services tab, clear Hide all Microsoft services, select Enable all, then Apply.
3. On the Startup tab, select Open Task Manager and turn your startup apps back on. Leave the troublemaker off.
4. Select OK and restart when prompted.

Troubleshooting startup app problems

Settings says “We couldn’t find this app.” The app may live on a removable or network drive, its file path may no longer exist, or it was uninstalled. Reinstall the app, or select the icon next to its toggle to see the broken path. If that path points to the registry, back up the registry before you change anything.

The app keeps turning itself back on. Many apps have their own “launch at startup” setting. Open the app’s settings and turn it off there too.

Boot is still slow after a clean boot. The slowdown probably isn’t coming from a startup app. If it began right after Patch Tuesday, uninstall the Windows 11 update that came with it.

Your PC won’t reach the desktop after you changed services. Restart into Safe Mode and undo your changes in msconfig. Here’s how to start Windows 11 in Safe Mode, even when Windows won’t boot normally.

You can’t open msconfig on a work PC. Your company’s network policies may block these settings. Contact your IT team.

Disable startup apps in Windows 11 FAQ

Which startup apps are safe to disable?

Most chat apps, game launchers, updaters, and manufacturer extras are fine to turn off. Keep security software and hardware utilities on, like audio, touchpad, and graphics tools.

Does disabling a startup app uninstall it?

No. The app stays installed and works normally. It just won’t open by itself when you sign in.

What does “Not Measured” mean in Task Manager?

The app is enabled, but Windows doesn’t have enough data to rate its impact yet. Restart a few times and check again.

Is a clean boot the same as Safe Mode?

No. Safe Mode loads only basic drivers. A clean boot keeps normal Windows but turns off third-party services and startup apps, which gives you more control to find the exact cause.

Keep your PC running fast

Now that your startup list is under control, check out these related guides:

• How to set up a new Windows 11 PC and keep it fast
• How to customize the Windows 11 Start menu and taskbar
• WinGet not working on Windows 11? Easy, proven fixes

Windows screenshots: Used with permission from Microsoft.