Why you should change what apps open on startup for Windows

Running your most-used apps at startup is great, but they can weigh your system down if you’re not careful.

fizkes/Shutterstock The programs that run when you start your Windows PC have a huge effect on not only how long your system takes to get going, but also how many system resources are available for what you're doing. Some are essential to include with startup, but others can wait until you need them.

Unfortunately, startup apps can get out of hand quickly because it's easy to miss unchecking the "Run at startup" box when installing software. Plus, programs can add themselves to the list without alerting you. This means you might have dozens of programs running every time you log into Windows without realizing it.

You'll have to poke around a few places to find everywhere these apps live, since they scatter across the OS. But once you've done this, you should find that your system works more smoothly, making this an important part of Windows maintenance to go through regularly.

For each one, you'll see whether it's enabled under Status , along with other information like the creator. Click these headings to sort; right-clicking shows additional fields like Running now and Disabled time that may be helpful but aren't essential. To disable an app, right-click it and choose Disable . You can always reverse this later if needed.

This panel catches most affected apps, but some are hidden in other places. One is your user account's Startup folder, which is accessible by typing "shell:startup" into either File Explorer's address bar or the Run dialog box (accessible with Win + R ). In my case, this folder had an entry for Send to OneNote that didn't appear in the Task Manager and isn't something I want.

Similarly, typing "shell:common startup" into File Explorer or Run will open a folder containing startup apps that apply to all users. In both folders, delete any shortcuts you don't want to run when you sign in. You can also place app shortcuts in this folder to add new ones. I use this for an autocorrect script in AutoHotkey, for example.

Next, consider apps you only use occasionally; those should be disabled from startup. If you open a photo editing tool a few times a month or only use a video-calling platform to call family on holidays, it doesn't need to run automatically each time you start your computer.

Resource-intensive tools like video editing suites and gaming clients are another group worth disabling in most cases. If you only use your PC for these purposes, then it makes sense to run those apps when you log in so they stay ready and updated. But if you use the same machine for work and games, having clients like Steam always open allows game updates to arrive at inopportune times. Unless you've capped the background download speed or scheduled updates, huge installs can slow your system down as it dedicates effort to the patching process.

Never disable anything from running if you don't know what it is. Search online to make sure it's not something vital to your system.

Security tools (those you actually use) should be another staple of your list.