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macOS⏱ 3 min

How to Disable Startup Programs on macOS

Stop unnecessary apps from launching at startup to speed up boot times.

Last verified: February 21, 2026

macOS Login Items are managed in System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions, a screen that became significantly more detailed in macOS Ventura to include Background Items — services that run silently without appearing in the Dock. The distinction matters: regular Login Items are apps you added yourself (Dropbox, Spotify, etc.), while Background Items are often injected by installers without obvious user consent and may be harder to identify. Removing an entry from Login Items doesn't delete the app or its data, and the app can always be relaunched manually whenever needed.

Quick Steps

Follow in order for the fastest result.

  1. 1Go to System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions. Remove apps from the Open at Login list by selecting them and clicking the minus button.
  2. 2Only disable applications you recognise — do not disable antivirus, cloud sync, or manufacturer system services.
  3. 3Restart the device and time how long it takes to reach a usable desktop or home screen.

Still Not Working?

Try these if the steps above didn't help.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my macOS so slow to start up?
Too many Login Items slow down Mac startup. Go to System Settings > General > Login Items to see and remove everything not essential.
Is it safe to disable startup programs on macOS?
Yes, for user-installed apps. Never disable antivirus software, cloud sync clients (OneDrive, iCloud, Dropbox) if you rely on them, or items you don't recognise from the OS manufacturer. If in doubt, disable one item at a time, restart, and check that nothing breaks.
How much faster will my macOS boot after disabling startup programs?
Results vary depending on how many High-impact items you disable. Disabling 2–4 heavy startup apps (Spotify, Teams, Steam, Discord) on Windows can reduce startup time by 15–40 seconds. Boot time won't change dramatically if the items you disabled were already marked as Low impact.
Will disabled startup programs still work normally on macOS?
Yes. Disabling an app from startup only prevents it from launching automatically — you can still open it manually whenever you need it. The app is not uninstalled or disabled in any other way.

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