How to Stop Mac Apps From Launching at Startup

Does your Mac take an abnormally long time to boot up? And when it does start, are you bombarded with a series of programs you didn't open? Startup apps are convenient, but too many can eat up precious memory and slow down your computer. The good news is, you can fight back.

There are some obvious ways to manage startup apps on Mac, but a few hidden tricks as well. If you love your Mac but hate waiting around for apps to load, here's how to disable them on startup.

• 
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Pin
  • Email

  Disable Startup Apps from Dock

  The simplest way to disable an app from launching on startup is to do it from the Dock. Right-click on the app and hover over Options in the menu. Apps that are set to open automatically will have a check mark next to Open at Login. Tap that option to uncheck it and disable it from opening.
• 
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Pin
  • Email

  Disable Login Items on Startup

  You can also manage multiple startup items at one time. Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items to view a list of all apps set to launch on startup. To remove a specific app, highlight it and click the minus button under the list.
• 
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Pin
  • Email

  Hide Login Items on Startup

  Certain apps can still launch at startup without necessarily popping up on the screen. By hiding itself at startup, the item runs in the background and is ready to go when you need it. To hide a startup app, go to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items and tick the Hide box next to it.
• 
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Pin
  • Email

  Temporarily Disable Startup Apps

  You're starting up your Mac but don't have time for the computer's normal boot process. Instead of waiting for all those startup apps to load, you can temporarily stop them for just this one session.

  Enter your login information as you normally would, but hold down the Shift key on the keyboard before submitting your credentials. Hold down Shift until the Dock appears, and the startup apps won't load this time.
• 
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Pin
  • Email

  Delay Startup Apps with Delay Start

  You can delay the launch of startup apps rather than disable them entirely. The third-party app Delay Start lets you set a timer for specific apps to control when they start up.

  Delay Start works similarly to the Mac's own internal interface. Click the plus sign to add a program to the list. Change the time setting to indicate how long (in seconds) you want the apps to be delayed. On the next startup, the items you added will launch with the delay you set.