As you use your Windows 10 PC, it’s inevitable that you’ll build up a library of third-party apps and software. However, by default, many of these will open each and every time you boot up your PC.
While that can be convenient in some cases – it’s great to not have to remember to open cloud storage services – many are simply not necessary. That’s especially true when you consider that in the startup list adds a bit more time between you pressing the power button and your computer being ready to use.
The good news is that Windows 10 not only allows you to modify which programs open at startup, it also lets you see which apps are likely to be causing any longer boot times.
You can also achieve the same thing by using a utility such as CCleaner. This will also perform a number of other jobs, including cleaning the Registry, clearing browsing data and removing cookies.
How to startup apps in Windows 10
You can change startup programs in Task Manager. To launch it, simultaneously press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Or, right-click on the taskbar at the bottom of the desktop and choose Task Manager from the menu that appears.
Another way in Windows 10 is to right-click the Start Menu icon and choose Task Manager.
When the utility is first launched it will default to the programs that are currently running on your system. To access the information you need to move the cursor down to the bottom left corner where it says More details. Click on this.
Now you’ll see a wealth of information displayed, including background processes and the resources that they are currently using.
To find the startup items click on the tab along the top that is marked Start-up.
This displays a list of everything that can load when you turn on your machine.
It’s important to note the Status column, as not everything on the list is actually enabled. If an item it marked as Disabled then you can ignore it as it will not load in the startup sequence.
To simplify matters click on the Status column so that it sorts the items into groups of enabled and disabled apps.
How to remove startup programs using Task Manager
If you see any apps that you don’t want as part of your startup sequence then it is very easy to remove them.
Simply right-click on the relevant app, then select the Disable option from the pop-up menu.
The app will remain on the list, but will no longer launch automatically when you turn on your machine. To enable it again just right click on it and select Enable.
Remember that you’ll need to reboot your machine for these changes to take effect.
If you love to tweak things, here’s how to change the default font on Windows 10.
Author: Martyn Casserly, Contributor
Martyn has been involved with tech ever since the arrival of his ZX Spectrum back in the early 80s. He covers iOS, Android, Windows and macOS, writing tutorials, buying guides and reviews for Macworld and its sister site Tech Advisor.