How to Stop Mac Opening Programs on Startup

Opening programs on startup is one of the convenient features that most operating systems provide. It allows you to launch your favorite applications automatically when you boot your Mac. However, sometimes you might have installed several applications on your Mac and when it automatically opens on startup, your Mac might take a longer time to start. This could end up slowing down your computer. So if you’re one of those people who encounter this problem and want to stop macOS from launching applications on startup, you are at the right place. In this article, we will introduce several methods to stop Mac opening programs on startup so you can have a smoother computer experience.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

Before we get started, you will need to have the following:

  • A Mac computer with macOS installed.
  • The application(s) that you want to stop from launching on startup.
  • Basic knowledge of computer systems.

What Requires Your Focus?

Stopping programs from opening on startup is not difficult, but it requires your attention to details. Some techniques require the use of Terminal, which could damage your computer and result in data loss if used incorrectly. Therefore, be sure to follow the instructions carefully.

Different Methods to Stop Mac Opening Programs on Startup

Method 1: Using System Preferences

You can easily disable the programs from opening on startup using the System Preferences. Here are the steps involved:

  1. Click the Apple icon on the top-left corner of the screen and select System Preferences.
  2. Click Users & Groups on the System Preferences dialog box.
  3. Click the Login Items tab and select the application that you want to disable from launching on startup.
  4. Click the "-" button to remove the application from the login list.

Pros:

  • Simple to use.
  • No technical knowledge required.

Cons:

  • Can only disable login items for a user account.
  • Some applications may still open even after removing them from the list.

Method 2: Using the Application’s Settings

Some applications have built-in options that allow users to stop them from opening on startup. Here are the steps to follow for such applications:

  1. Open the application whose startup settings you want to disable.
  2. Click on Preferences or the application menu.
  3. Go to General or Startup Options and look for an option to disable opening the application on startup.
  4. Uncheck the box next to "Launch at startup" or similar.

Pros:

  • Most applications have this feature built-in.
  • No need to change any system settings.

Cons:

  • Not all applications have this feature.
  • You need to configure this setting for each application separately.

Method 3: Using Terminal

For this method, you need to access Terminal on your Mac. Follow these steps:

  1. Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities.
  2. Type the command "sudo sed -i ‘.bak’ ‘/Application Name<\/string>/d’ /Library/LaunchAgents/*.plist" (without quotes) and replace "Application Name" with the name of the application you want to disable on startup. Press Enter.
  3. Enter your admin password when prompted and press Enter again.
  4. Restart your Mac.

Pros:

  • Disables login items across all user accounts.
  • No need to configure settings for each application.

Cons:

  • Requires the use of Terminal, which could be dangerous if not used correctly.
  • You need to enter the command manually every time you want to disable a login item.

Why Can’t I Stop Programs from Opening on Startup?

There are several reasons why you might not be able to stop certain applications from opening on startup:

1. The Application is Set to Open on Login:

If an application is set to open on login, macOS will launch it automatically every time you start up your Mac. You need to disable the application from login items to prevent it from starting on boot up.

Fix:

You can stop the application from opening using the methods mentioned above to remove the application from login items or change its settings.

2. The Application Has a Hidden Login Item:

Some applications add login items to the system without informing the user. This makes it difficult to disable them.

Fix:

You can use Terminal to find and remove hidden login items. Open Terminal and type "launchctl list | grep -v apple" (without quotes). This will show you a list of all login items. Look for the application that you want to remove and type "launchctl remove " followed by the name of the item, then press Enter.

3. Corrupted Login Items:

If the login items are corrupted due to an error, macOS may not be able to disable them.

Fix:

You can try resetting the SMC and NVRAM on your Mac. Restart your Mac and press and hold the following keys: Shift + Control + Option + Power button. Release the keys after 10 seconds and start your Mac normally.

Implications and Recommendations

Disabling programs from opening on startup can have several implications:

1. Faster Startup:

Disabling login items can speed up the boot process, which in turn improves your productivity.

2. Reduced Resource Consumption:

Applications that start on their own use system resources, which slows down your Mac. Disabling unneeded applications ensures that your Mac performs optimally.

Recommendation:

You can keep your Mac startup optimized by regularly reviewing and disabling login items for applications that don’t need to run on startup.

5 FAQs about How to Stop Mac Opening Programs on Startup

Q1. What is the difference between deleting an application from login items and disabling it?

A. Deleting an application from login items will completely remove the item from the list and prevent it from starting on bootup. Disabling an item, on the other hand, keeps it in the list but prevents it from starting on bootup.

Q2. Can I disable login items for all user accounts?

A. Yes, you can disable login items for all user accounts using Terminal. Use the command "sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow DisableAccessToKey -bool YES" (without quotes).

Q3. Can I disable login items for system applications?

A. No, login items for system applications cannot be disabled unless you use Terminal.

Q4. Can I disable login items for the current session only?

A. Yes, you can disable login items for the current session only by holding down the Shift key when you log in.

Q5. Can disabling login items cause problems with macOS?

A. Disabling login items will not cause any problems with macOS. However, it’s important to disable only those items that you don’t need to run on startup.

In Conclusion

Opening programs on startup can be convenient, but it can also lead to slow boot times and system performance issues. Fortunately, there are several methods to disable login items on your Mac. You can use System Preferences to disable login items for a specific user account, configure application settings, or use Terminal to disable login items for all user accounts. It’s important to disable only the items that you don’t need to run on startup to ensure optimal system performance. Follow these methods and recommendations to keep your Mac startup running smoothly.