Fix Apps Reopen Automatically After Restart in Windows 10

If you’re tired of Windows 10 reopening all your apps after a restart or shutdown, the fix is usually a single setting in the Sign-in options. Turning off “Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device and reopen my apps after an update or restart” stops the behavior for most users. Below is the exact path, plus other causes and solutions if that doesn’t work.

Why Windows 10 Reopens Apps After Restart

Starting with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607), Microsoft added a feature that automatically saves your open apps and reopens them after you sign back in. The intent is to make updates and restarts less disruptive — you can pick up where you left off. However, many users find it annoying, especially when it relaunches heavy programs like games, video editors, or dozens of browser tabs.

The feature is tied to your Microsoft account and the “Sign-in info” settings. It works by saving the state of your apps before the restart, then restoring them after you log in. It’s not the same as the “Startup” folder or Task Manager’s Startup tab, which launch apps every time you boot. This is a one-time restore after a restart or update, but it can feel like it happens every time if you restart frequently.

How to Turn Off Automatic App Reopening

The primary setting is in the Windows Settings app. Here’s how to disable it:

1. Open Settings (Win + I).
2. Click Accounts.
3. Select Sign-in options from the left sidebar.
4. Scroll down to the Privacy section.
5. Find “Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device and reopen my apps after an update or restart.”
6. Toggle it Off.

That’s it. The next time you restart, Windows will not restore your apps. Note that this setting is per-user; if you have multiple accounts on the PC, each user must turn it off individually.

What If the Setting Is Already Off?

If you’ve disabled that setting but apps still reopen, the cause is likely something else. Here are the most common culprits:

• Startup apps: Programs in the Startup folder or registered in Task Manager’s Startup tab launch every time you log in. Check Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) > Startup tab, and disable anything you don’t need.
• App-specific settings: Some apps, like browsers, have their own “continue where you left off” option. For example, Chrome and Edge can restore tabs from the last session. Check the app’s settings, not Windows.
• Fast Startup: Windows 10’s Fast Startup (a hybrid shutdown) can sometimes cause apps to restore because it’s more like hibernation than a full shutdown. Disabling Fast Startup may help if you’re seeing this after a “Shut down” rather than a restart.
• Group Policy or Registry: On Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, a group policy might force app reopening. If you’re comfortable with the Registry Editor, you can check HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon for a value named RestartApps. If it exists, set it to 0. (This is a less common fix and should be done carefully.)

How to Disable Fast Startup (If Needed)

Fast Startup is enabled by default on most Windows 10 installations. It makes shutdowns faster by saving the kernel session to a hibernation file. While it doesn’t directly reopen apps, it can cause the “reopen apps” feature to behave unexpectedly because the system state is partially preserved. To turn it off:

1. Open Control Panel > Power Options.
2. Click Choose what the power buttons do on the left.
3. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
4. Uncheck Turn on fast startup.
5. Click Save changes.

Disabling Fast Startup means shutdowns will take a bit longer, but it can resolve various restart-related quirks.

Common Misconceptions and Related Questions

One common misconception is that the “reopen apps” setting is the same as the Startup tab. They are different: the Startup tab controls what launches every time you log in, while the reopen feature is a one-time restore after a restart. Another misconception is that disabling the setting will close your apps immediately — it only affects future restarts.

People also ask whether this setting affects updates specifically. Yes, the setting name includes “after an update or restart,” so it applies to both. If you only want to stop apps from reopening after updates but not after manual restarts, you can’t do that with this single toggle; you’d need to use Group Policy (Pro/Enterprise) or a registry tweak.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Windows 10 reopen apps after I shut down and turn on again?

If you’re using Fast Startup, a “shut down” is actually a hybrid shutdown that preserves the kernel session. This can cause the reopen feature to trigger. Disable Fast Startup as described above, and also check the Sign-in options setting.

Will turning off this setting affect my ability to sign in?

No. The setting only controls whether apps are restored after sign-in. Your password, PIN, or Windows Hello will still work normally.

Can I make Windows reopen only specific apps?

No, the built-in feature is all-or-nothing. If you want selective reopening, you can use the Startup folder (shell:startup) to launch specific apps, but that runs them every time you log in, not just after a restart.

Does this setting affect apps that are set to start with Windows?

No. Startup apps will still launch as usual. The setting only affects apps that were open before the restart and were saved by Windows.

I have Windows 10 Home. Can I use Group Policy to disable this?

Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) is not available on Windows 10 Home. You can use the Settings toggle, or manually edit the registry as mentioned earlier. The registry method works on all editions, but be cautious.

Why is this setting turned on by default?

Microsoft enabled it to reduce the friction of updates and restarts. The idea is that you can continue where you left off without reopening everything manually. Many users prefer it off, but it’s a personal preference.

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