How to Stop Apps from Opening at Startup on Mac | A Detailed Guide and Tips

Many Mac users are bothered by the number of programs that launch at startup. If you have a lot of apps set to open when you boot up, it can take longer for your computer to be ready to work. Fortunately, there's an easy way to prevent applications from opening automatically on your Mac.

You can configure which apps run immediately after your Mac boots up through the "Login Items." In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive guide on how to disable startup apps on a Mac instead of uninstalling applications on Mac. For instance, if your Mac runs slow after updating to macOS 13, following these steps will ensure that your Mac starts up faster and more smoothly each time you log in.

What are startup apps on a Mac?

When you start up your Mac, certain programs might launch right away. Launching apps can significantly change how your Mac runs and how you interact with it. Too many can slow your Mac down and make it harder to get work done. Thus, it's good to stop unnecessary programs from opening when you boot up your computer.

By managing your login items, you can choose which apps run immediately when you start up your Mac, improving your system's performance and efficiency. For more details on why Mac apps might launch automatically:

1. ?️ Background Apps: Antivirus software, cloud storage, and messaging apps need to run in the background. These can be set to launch at startup to ensure they're always available. 2. ? Default Login Items: Mac apps often automatically add themselves to the login items list. For user convenience, programs like iTunes, Calendar, and Reminders may be configured to start up automatically. If you don't use these frequently, they can slow down your system and consume resources. 3. ✍️ Manually Added Login Apps: You or other Mac users might have manually added programs to your login items. You might have included favorite music players or chat apps for quick access on login. Having too many programs set to auto-start can sluggish your system and waste resources.

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How to Prevent Apps from Opening at Startup on Mac Dock

One easy way to prevent apps from opening automatically when your Mac starts up is by using the Dock. The Dock is a row of icons along the bottom or side of the screen that shows all the apps currently running on your Mac, as well as any apps you've chosen to pin to the Dock. If you see an app in your Dock that you don't want to open automatically when your Mac starts up, you can disable it by following these steps:

The first step is to right-click on the app icon and select Settings from the pop-up menu.

Step 2 Deselect “Open at Login.” This will prevent the app from opening automatically when you log in to your Mac.

Select the options as needed.

To uninstall an app, release the mouse button after dragging it out of the Dock. The app's icon will disappear from the Dock, and a “Remove” button will appear.

Remove an Application

Step 4: You can control which apps start up with your Mac by using the Dock. You can launch apps by dragging them from the Applications folder or elsewhere onto the Dock.

Prevent applications from opening at startup On a Mac, certain applications are set to open automatically every time the system starts up. If you don't want these apps to launch automatically, you can disable them with these steps: 1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select "System Preferences." 2. In the System Preferences window, click on "Users & Groups." 3. If prompted, enter your administrator password. 4. From the list on the left, choose your account. 5. On the right side, under the "Login Items" tab, you'll see a list of all applications that open at startup. 6. To disable an app, check the box next to it and then click the minus (-) button. This removes the application from the login items. 7. When finished, click "OK" or close the window. Now, the applications you selected will no longer open automatically at startup. To re-enable them, simply repeat the steps above but add the app back to the login items list in step 6 instead of removing it.

If you don't want programs to open automatically when you start up your Mac, you can disable login items. When you log into your Mac, several programs and services run automatically in the background. While some login items, like Dropbox or antivirus software, might be useful, others might not be necessary and could slow down your Mac. To disable login items, follow these steps:

Step 1: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences.

Select “System Preferences…”

Step 4: Tap the login you want to remove, then tap the “-” button at the bottom of the list.

Step 5: Click the Add (+) button, then select an app or service from the Applications folder or elsewhere to add it to the Login Items list.

Step 6: Select the login items you want to hide, then click the “Hide” button. This will make the app or service disappear from view, but it will continue running in the background.

Step 7: Disabling unused login items shortens your Mac's startup time and frees up some system resources.

How to Stop Apps from Opening at Startup in the Library Folder on a Mac

Some apps or services on your Mac can automatically start up when you turn on your computer, even if they're not listed in Login Items or the Dock. These are managed by launch agents and daemons, which tell your Mac to run the programs or services. While these files can be useful, in some cases they might be unnecessary or even risky.

This video tutorial will show you how to prevent apps from launching in the Library folder on your Mac. Here are some key points from the video:

• 00:00 Introduction to the video
• 00:36 Press the minus key
• 01:03 Turn off Mac fan control

Identifying and modifying these files can prevent programs or services from launching automatically. To access the “Library” folder, and deal with launch agents and daemons, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Finder, and then choose Go from the main menu.

Step 2: Hold down the "Option" key, then select "Library" from the dropdown menu. This will open your account's hidden "Library" folder.

Step 3: Look for the “LaunchAgents” and “LaunchDaemons” folders, which contain the .plist files that launch programs and services.

4. Drag the .plist file to the Trash to delete the launch daemon or agent. Do not delete any important system or app files. If you're unsure about a file, search for it online or leave it be.

Delete the Launch Agent files:

Step 5: Rename the .plist file to .disabled to disable a launch agent or tool without deleting it. This keeps your Mac from recognizing the file and activating the program or service at startup. For example, com.apple.SafariBookmarksSyncAgent.plist.disabled.

Step 6: Open Finder, press Command-Shift-G, and navigate to the Library folder that's visible to all users on the Mac. In /Library/StartupItems you can disable or remove other launch agents and daemons.

Step 7. Access the "Library" folder and configure launch agents and daemons to stop programs not in Login Items or the Dock from starting up with your Mac. Proceed at your own risk, as this method requires caution and technical understanding.

Appendix Tip: How to Speed Up Your Mac's Startup Time

In addition to disabling startup items, there are other ways to speed up your Mac's startup time. Here are some examples:

1. **Clear Cache Files:** Cache files store temporary data that speeds up apps and system performance. However, they can build up quickly and take up a lot of storage on your Mac. In Finder, you can manually delete cache files by pressing "Command + Shift + G." Type or paste the path `/Library/Caches` to access this folder. Select everything within the folder and delete it.

2. Update your macOS: Updating your macOS can fix issues, improve security, and boost performance. Check for updates in the Software Update panel of System Preferences. If an update is available, click "Update Now" to download and install it. To have your Mac automatically install software updates, you can enable a feature called "Automatic Updates."

3. Clean up your hard drive: Make sure your startup disk has enough space, and your Mac will run more efficiently and smoothly. You should delete outdated downloads, unnecessary attachments, and duplicates to free up space on your Macintosh HD. To make better use of your hard drive space, remove unused files, move them to iCloud, and empty the Trash automatically.

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Recover Lost Files After a Faster Mac Startup

Sometimes, speeding up your Mac can lead to data loss issues. You might accidentally delete important data while performing maintenance tasks like clearing caches or organizing your hard drive. Or you could make a mistake while formatting or partitioning a disk, resulting in the loss of all information. Data may also become inaccessible due to system issues or a crash.

If any of these scenarios apply to you, don't panic. You may still be able to recover your lost files with a reliable Mac data recovery tool. We recommend using the professional and efficient Data Recovery Wizard for Mac to restore lost data in various situations. It's compatible with the latest macOS (macOS 13 Ventura) and Apple Silicon Macs.

To easily understand how to recover lost files after freeing up space on your Mac, follow these steps:

Step 1: Select the disk to scan

In the main “Data Recovery Wizard” utility window, all the drives connected to your Mac will be listed. Select the drive from which you need to recover lost/deleted files and click on the “Search for Lost Files” button.

Note: Before data recovery, it's recommended that you click “Disk Backup” on the left sidebar to back up your Mac first, in case of further data loss. After the backup, the software can restore data from the Mac backup, and your computer can write new data again.

Step 2: Choose the lost data/files that you want to recover

“Data Recovery Wizard for Mac” will immediately scan the volume you've chosen, and display the results on the left. If you're looking for a specific file, you can sort through the results to find what you need.

Select the data/files you lost:

Step 3: Recover Lost/Deleted Data

Once the scan is finished, preview the recoverable files and then click “Recover” to start restoring your deleted/lost files from Mac.

Bottom line

This article explains how to prevent apps from opening automatically when you start up your Mac. You can manage startup programs and services on your Mac through the Dock, Login Items, or the Library folder. This can decrease your Mac's startup time and free up resources.

While there are ways to speed up your Mac's startup, these can lead to data loss if not done carefully. When you clean caches or your hard drive, you might delete important data. If you partition or format your disk incorrectly, you could lose all your data. Additionally, system failures or issues can prevent you from accessing your data.

If you find yourself in any of these situations, don't panic. With a reputable Mac data recovery tool, your information might still be recoverable. We recommend the professional tools Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, which can help you get your lost data back under any circumstances.

**Frequently Asked Questions About Preventing Apps from Opening at Startup on Mac** 1. **How do I prevent apps from opening automatically on my Mac?** - Open "System Preferences." - Click "Users & Groups." - Select your account and click the "Login Items" tab. - Find the app you want to remove in the left-hand list, then click the minus button next to it. - Click "OK" to save the changes. 2. **Why do some apps still run at startup even though I've removed them from Login Items?** - Certain apps might be set to launch at the system level. Try using "Activity Monitor" (found in the "Utilities" folder) to locate and stop these processes. 3. **Can I disable app startups in the boot volume?** - Yes, the "Library" folder in the boot volume (usually the "Startup Disk") contains "LaunchAgents" and "LaunchDaemons" folders, which house apps that start up at boot. However, modifying these folders may require administrator privileges and is not recommended for regular users to avoid messing with system settings. 4. **How can I prevent apps from opening at startup using Terminal?** - Open "Terminal" (found in "Applications" > "Utilities" > "Terminal"). - Enter the following command, replacing "AppName" with the name of the app you want to block: ``` launchctl unload /Library/LaunchAgents/com.AppName.plist ``` - If the app starts from your personal Library, use this command: ``` launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.AppName.plist ``` - Make sure you enter the correct path, or the command won't work. 5. **Can I prevent all apps from opening at startup?** - You can prevent apps from opening when you wake your computer by unchecking "Reopen windows when logging back in" in the "Energy Saver" system preferences. However, this won't stop all apps that run at startup; it only affects those with specific settings. 6. **Will preventing an app from starting up affect its functionality?** - No, unless the app needs to run at startup to function properly. Most apps can be manually opened as needed without any issues. 7. **How do I re-enable previously blocked startup apps?** - Go back to "System Preferences" > "Users & Groups" > "Login Items," select the app in the left-hand list, and click the plus button to add it back. Keep in mind that these methods may vary depending on your specific needs and the nature of the apps. If you encounter issues, consult Apple's official support documentation or contact technical support for assistance.

Here are some additional questions people ask when searching for how to stop Mac apps from opening at startup, which you can refer to for more details.

1. How can I speed up my Mac's startup time?

Prevent unused apps from opening at startup, clear your cache, update your macOS, perform disk cleanup, and reset the NVRAM or PRAM to speed up your Mac's boot time.

2. How to turn off the Mac startup sound?

You can turn off the “Play sound on startup” feature from your Mac's System Preferences, by going to the Sound settings and unchecking the box for this option.

Can I stop Spotify from opening automatically when I start up my Mac?

Yes, you can prevent Spotify from opening automatically at startup on your Mac by going to Spotify > Preferences > Advanced Settings > Startup and Window Behavior, and selecting "No" next to "Open Spotify when I start my computer." This will stop Spotify from launching automatically when your Mac starts up.

4. How do I stop apps from opening automatically when I start up my Mac?

You can use the Dock, login items, or the Library folder to control what apps and services run when you log in to your Mac.