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HarperKnox's avatar
HarperKnox
Iron Contributor
Jan 18, 2026

How to stop apps from auto opening on startup from Windows 11?

I have a old ThinkPad laptop running Windows 11 and the device becomes a bit lagging after upgrading to latest Windows 11 26H1 via Insider Programs. I can see a couple of apps auto opening on startup...
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BreckenFoster's avatar
BreckenFoster
Iron Contributor
Jan 18, 2026

I fully understand your frustration, as my laptop is also rather outdated and began experiencing some lag after installing Windows 11. The solution is actually quite straightforward: download Autoruns. This tool stop apps from auto opening on startup

  1. Download Autoruns from the official Microsoft Sysinternals website, extract the files, and install it. Ensure you select “Run as administrator”.

  2. The tool defaults to the Everything tab. Switch to the most relevant Logon tab to view all logon autostart entries. Simply uncheck the items you wish to disable.

  3. Note: Only disable entries that can be clearly identified by their publisher or location.

  4. Some applications launch via Task Scheduler. You may additionally review the Scheduled Tasks tab for further clean-up.

Important reminder: Never disable entries with the publisher ‘Microsoft Corporation’ unless you are certain they are related to the target application you wish to disable.