How to Disable Startup Programs in Windows 10 (Updated 2023)

You need to Disable Startup Programs to increase your laptop or computer’s boot time. Disabling startup programs that are massive increases the amount of time your computer takes to boot from a total shutdown which is also known as a Cold Boot.

UPDATE 2023: This is the best method to disable startup programs in Windows 8, 8.1, 10, and 11.

Some software, after getting installed, automatically starts running in the background of your computer.

Some have the courtesy of telling you or giving you the option of choosing if the software should start up with your laptop or not, while others after installation silently run in the background, using system resources and ultimately making the computer slow.

It’s not like all programs or software running in the background are bad for the computer, No! The problem is when you install a bunch of programs you don’t use on a daily basis, there is no reason why you should allow that program to start up with your computer.

The simple principle of simplicity is to keep the network fast and optimized.

The way to disable startup programs is located within the Windows Task Manager, and for Windows 8, 8.1, and 10/11 users, it is easy to identify and run the Task Manager.

Still, if you are running Windows 7 – disabling startup programs is a bit tricky and technical, and it can’t be disabled through the Task Manager.

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How to Disable Startup Programs in Windows 10

This guide also works for Windows 8 & 8.1 because the Windows’ user interface is similar.

#1. Locate & Run Task Manager

There are a total of 6 ways that I know of the locate and run the Task Manager tool.

One of the ways of locating and running Task Manager is to Right-Click on the Taskbar and select Task Manager from the pop-up window

Press Start key or Windows Key and search for “Task Manager.” Select Task Manager when it appears.

Press the Keyboard Shortcut (Windows Key + X) to access the Power User Access

Press Ctrl+R keyboard shortcut to start the RUN tool. Type “taskmgr” and press Enter.

Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc keyboard shortcut to instantly open the Task Manager tool.
Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete keyboard shortcut and select Task Manager. This is the most popular method.

#2. Launching the Task Manager

Good, we just located the Task Manager. Let’s start it now. If this is your first time of using the Task Manager, it will open up in a small mini view. To view all the tabs and features of the Task Manager, Click on More details at the left bottom of the window.

The full Task Manager view opens, quickly click on the Startup tab to bring out the windows startup options.

#3. Disable Startup Programs

We are in the most critical part of this guide; here you can see the list of all the startup programs, manufacturers, status and startup impact.

To disable startup programs, Right click on the program and click Disable or click on the program and at the bottom of the window, click on Disable. Both ways work well.

I strongly suggest disabling any startup program with a high start-up impact because it has a very high effect on your startup speed. Disabling them should be our priority.

PLEASE NOTE: Before you disable any program, make sure it’s not a system program that is compulsory for startup. I would give you a list of mandatory programs you shouldn’t disable.

Compulsory Startup Programs

These programs from my experience shouldn’t be disabled because they play an essential role in your computer. You need all module programs because they are intel programs, Realtek is for audio while the defender is your antivirus.

Persistence Module
Hkcmd Module
IgfxTray Module
Realtek Audio
Windows Defender or your Antivirus programs

Reboot your computer for changes to take effect.