Slow computer

Too many startup apps slowing boot

Speed up slow startup by turning off unneeded startup apps on Windows and Mac. What's safe to disable and what to leave on.

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 10 min
Steps: 5
Updated: 2026-10-19

Sounds like this?

Takes minutes to become usable after sign-in
Lots of icons near the clock
Apps open by themselves at startup

Step by step

Windows: open Settings › Apps › Startup (or Task Manager › Startup apps).
Sort by Startup impact. Turn off things you can open yourself when needed: game launchers, chat apps, updaters, music apps, and helper tools.
Mac: System Settings › General › Login Items & Extensions. Remove items under Open at Login you don't need.
Restart and time how long it takes to get a usable desktop.
If one unknown item keeps coming back after you disable it, scan for adware (see our pop-ups guide).

Quick answers

When should I stop and get professional help with "Too many startup apps slowing boot"?

Stop and get help if: Boot is still very slow with almost nothing at startup (often an old hard drive or failing drive). Unknown startup items reappear after you remove them. Boise Computer Care can diagnose it for a $60 fee; call 208-996-3508.

How long does this fix take and how hard is it?

Plan on 10 min. Difficulty: Easy.

Is it safe to try this myself?

Mostly, if you follow these precautions: Leave security software, touchpad/audio utilities, and cloud backup (OneDrive, iCloud) enabled.

Still stuck?

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Describe the problem in plain English and get guided, step-by-step help. Start on the free plan; Pro is $9.99/month. BCC is an official Fyx365 partner.

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Sounds like this?

Step by step

Quick answers

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