How to Manage Startup Programs in Windows 10

Windows 10 is fast and responsive operating system, however, if you have dozens of applications & services set to launch while starting up your computer then it can surely bog down the boot process. Though most of the time they are benign & useful but at the same time these auto-start programs are resource-draining and extends startup time.

Why Startup Apps Are Bad?

Every computer machine contains a list of programs and applications which are set to be launched (either automatically or manually) when you turn on your computer. They are responsible not only for increasing your boot time but also continues to run in the background to affect system performance.  This happens because most of the applications come from different developers, so it’s natural they’ll be competing for PC memory & will try to get their share of CPU resources.  Though some apps might be quite useful such as Antivirus programs, Updaters, and cleaning tools but at the same time they lead to slow boot process & crashing of the system. CCleaner, uTorrent, Skype are some popular examples.

In a nutshell, these startup items are extremely memory-hungry and waste your CPU resources, from which many aren’t even useful to you. Hence, more the startup apps, slower the performance of the system.

Why Startup Apps Are Bad
Source: WindowsChimp

What Startup Programs should be Enabled?

There are a number of services that should remain activated at the time of bootup to make sure your PC works properly.

1. Microsoft Services

2. Antivirus Programs – such as Windows Defender & Avira should not be disabled so that they protect your system from attacks all the time.

3. Services for audios, graphics, touchpad, wireless etc.

4. Essential Apps- Programs that you use more often should remain enabled.

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What Startup Programs should be Disabled?

Unnecessary applications that simply eat your system resources & slows down your PC should be deactivated immediately:

1. Skype–amazing video chat platform, but do you really need that as soon as you log into Windows?

2. Google Chrome/Google installer-simply eats lots of RAM and you probably don’t require at starting up.

3. There are tons of services that can be disabled, it may vary from device to device. So check it carefully!

How To Manage Windows 10 Startup Programs?

Gain an edge in performance by taking control of startup items. Here’s how to manage those auto-starting apps.

  • If you have a lot of startup programs and you want to disable them, follow the steps below:

Step 1- Right-click on the Taskbar and select ‘Task Manager’. You can also use the search box to reach Task Manager.

Step 2- Once Task Manager gets opened, click on ‘Startup’ tab and you’ll see the complete list of programs & apps that automatically starts when the system is booted, along with the impact of programs on PC. Therefore, you can easily analyze which apps or programs are affecting the system resources most!

Step 3- To disable startup programs, right-click on the item from the list and choose to ‘Disable’.
Remember, even if the app gets disabled, it will still be listed in Task Manager so that you can enable it again in future if required.

manage startup programs windows 10

  • If you want to remove Startup Programs Windows 10 completely, follow the steps below:

Step 1- Startup Items are located at the Registry, so to remove one you have to open the Registry Editor > launch Run Window > type ‘regedit’ > follow the keys referred below:

ForAllUsers:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run 

ForCurrentUsers:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Step 2- On the left panel, you will see the list of all the startup items stored in the Registry. To completely delete the startup programs, just right-click on the item & choose to “Delete”!

remove startup programs

  • If you want to add Startup Programs Windows 10, follow the steps below:

 Step 3- In case you want to add a startup program > on the left panel, right-click on an empty space > click ‘New’ & choose String Value.

Step 4- Give it the desired name and copy the file path of the program you want to add startup item for and paste it into its value data.

add startup programs windows 10
That’s it. You have successfully added a startup item to the list!

See Also:-
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Wrapping Up

After you have completed these steps, depending on the number of programs you have disabled, you will notice a great performance boost on your Windows 10. Just restart your PC to get the desired outcome!

3 COMMENTS

  • comment_avtar
    Mary Hale
    It was somewhat helpful I just hope I did it right.

    4 years ago
  • comment_avtar
    anne
    thank you ,but what happens is that I usually forget what to do I am 70 yrs. my memory is not that great .

    4 years ago
  • comment_avtar
    Frank
    kind of complicated .

    4 years ago

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