How to Enable or Disable Startup Items in Windows 10

This guide shows you how to control which apps and programs launch automatically when you sign in to Windows 10. You’ll learn how to disable unnecessary startup items to speed up boot time and free up system resources, and how to re-enable them if needed. No special tools are required—everything is done through built-in Windows settings.

What You’ll Need

• A PC running Windows 10 (any recent version, ideally updated)
• Administrator account access (to change startup items for all users, though per-user changes work with a standard account)
• Patience—some apps may take a moment to appear in the list

Step-by-Step

1. Open Task Manager. Right-click the taskbar (the bar at the bottom of the screen) and select Task Manager. Alternatively, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open it directly.
2. Switch to the Startup tab. If Task Manager opens in compact view (showing only running apps), click More details at the bottom. Then click the Startup tab at the top.
3. Review the list. You’ll see a table with columns: Name, Publisher, Status, and Startup impact. The status shows whether an item is Enabled or Disabled. Startup impact indicates how much it affects boot time (High, Medium, Low, or Not measured).
4. Disable an item. Click the item you want to stop from launching at startup. Then click the Disable button in the bottom-right corner of the window. (Alternatively, right-click the item and select Disable.) The status changes to Disabled immediately.
5. Enable an item. If you change your mind or need an app to start automatically again, click the disabled item and click Enable. The status changes back to Enabled.
6. Close Task Manager. Your changes take effect the next time you sign in. No restart is required for the change to be saved, but you won’t see the effect until you log out and back in or restart.

Common Mistakes

• Disabling system-critical items. Some startup items are necessary for hardware drivers (e.g., audio, graphics, touchpad) or security software. Disabling these can cause features to stop working or leave your system vulnerable. When in doubt, research the item before disabling.
• Confusing startup items with running processes. The Startup tab only controls what launches at sign-in. It does not stop an app that is already running. To close a running app, use the Processes tab.
• Disabling everything. While it’s tempting to turn off all startup items, some are useful—like cloud sync clients or backup tools. Disable only what you recognize and don’t need at startup.
• Forgetting to check the impact column. Items marked “High impact” are usually the ones worth disabling. Low-impact items won’t noticeably speed up boot time, so focus your efforts there.

Tips

• Use the “Startup impact” column to prioritize. Sort the list by clicking the “Startup impact” column header to see which items are most likely to slow down boot.
• Check the publisher. If you don’t recognize the publisher, search online for the app name to see if it’s safe. Many legitimate apps have well-known publishers like Microsoft, Google, or Adobe.
• Consider using the Settings app for some apps. Many apps have their own settings to control startup behavior. For example, in the app’s preferences, you might find an option like “Launch on system startup.” Using that is often more reliable than disabling in Task Manager, because the app may re-enable itself.
• Use the “Open file location” option. Right-click an item and select Open file location to see where the startup shortcut resides. This can help you understand what the item is and, if needed, remove it permanently (though disabling is safer).
• Restart to test. After making changes, restart your PC to see the effect. Boot time improvements are most noticeable if you disabled high-impact items.

Troubleshooting

If something goes wrong after disabling an item, here’s what to do:

• An app no longer starts automatically. Re-enable it in Task Manager’s Startup tab. If the app still doesn’t start, check the app’s own settings—some apps have a separate “start at login” toggle.
• You disabled an item by mistake and can’t find it. In the Startup tab, click the “Status” column header to sort by status. Look for the item you disabled and click Enable.
• The Startup tab is empty. This is rare but can happen if you have no startup items or if the list hasn’t loaded yet. Wait a few seconds and refresh by closing and reopening Task Manager. If it’s still empty, your system may have very few startup entries.
• Changes don’t seem to take effect. Make sure you are signed in with an account that has permission to change startup items. If you’re on a work or school PC, group policies may override your settings. Also, some apps re-add themselves to startup after you disable them—check the app’s settings to turn off its own auto-start option.
• You disabled a driver or security tool and now have problems. Immediately re-enable the item. If you can’t boot into Windows normally, boot into Safe Mode (press Shift while clicking Restart, then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, then press 4 or F4). In Safe Mode, open Task Manager and re-enable the item.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to disable startup items?

Generally yes, but avoid disabling items from your antivirus, firewall, or essential hardware drivers. Disabling a program only stops it from launching at startup—you can still run it manually.

What is the difference between “Enabled” and “Disabled” in Task Manager?

“Enabled” means the item runs when you sign in. “Disabled” means it does not run automatically, but you can still start it manually from the Start menu or desktop.

Will disabling startup items speed up my PC?

It can reduce boot time and free up memory and CPU usage, especially if you disable high-impact items. However, the effect depends on how many items you disable and their resource usage.

Can I add a new startup item?

The Startup tab in Task Manager only lets you enable or disable existing items. To add a new one, place a shortcut to the app in the Startup folder (press Win + R, type shell:startup, and press Enter).

Why does an app keep re-enabling itself after I disable it?

Many apps have a built-in “launch at login” option in their settings. If that option is turned on, the app will re-add itself to startup. Open the app’s preferences and turn off that option.

What if I don’t see the Startup tab in Task Manager?

Make sure you’re using Windows 10 (not an older version) and that you’ve clicked “More details” at the bottom of Task Manager. If the tab is still missing, your system may be managed by an organization policy.

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