Is Your PC Starting Slower and Slower? Discover the 8 Types of Programs You Must Disable at Startup

Surely this has happened to you: when you buy a new computer, startup is almost instant, everything runs fast and smoothly. But over time, that same machine starts booting up at a snail’s pace. You press the power button, go make a coffee, and when you come back… the desktop is still loading!

Why does this happen? One of the main reasons is the number of programs that run automatically when Windows starts. Many of them add themselves when you install applications and end up being a real burden on the system.

In this article we’ll review what startup programs are, which ones you can safely disable, and how to do it easily so your PC boots up in seconds again.

📌 What are startup programs and why do they slow down your computer?

A startup program is any application or service that runs automatically as soon as you turn on your computer. The idea is to have certain tools ready from the very first moment: antivirus, essential drivers, system utilities…

The problem arises when we install software that adds itself to startup unnecessarily. Each program that loads consumes memory, processor resources, and lengthens the boot time.

In other words:

• The more programs you have at startup, the slower the system will load.

• Many of them you don’t even use daily, or not even weekly.

• Disabling them doesn’t affect the normal functioning of the PC, but it frees resources and improves speed.

🔥 The 8 types of programs worth disabling from startup

Let’s go through, one by one, the usual suspects that make your PC take forever to boot:

1. Messaging and communication programs

Applications like WhatsApp Desktop, Skype, Zoom, or Slack usually configure themselves to launch automatically. If you don’t need them open as soon as you turn on your computer, disable their auto-start. You’ll gain several seconds at boot.

2. Video and music players

Spotify, VLC, iTunes, etc. can be very useful, but there’s no reason for them to run immediately. You’ll only use them when you want to play content, so it’s best to open them manually when you need them.

3. Download managers

uTorrent, JDownloader, or any cloud download client tend to consume lots of resources as soon as they start. They also often look for updates or pending files, which slows down boot time.

4. Automatic update services

Adobe, Google Chrome, Microsoft Office, and other programs include processes that check for updates in the background every time you start your PC. This isn’t necessary: just update manually from time to time.

5. Multiple antivirus or security suites

A single antivirus is more than enough. Having two or three running at the same time only creates conflicts and slows down the system. Disable (or better yet, uninstall) the ones you don’t really use.

6. Cloud synchronization services

OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, or iCloud usually launch with Windows to sync files. If you don’t use them constantly, disable their startup. You can open them only when you need to upload or download something.

7. Game platforms

Steam, Epic Games, Ubisoft Connect… all these apps load updates, catalogs, and background processes. You don’t need them to start automatically: just open them when you want to play.

8. Preinstalled manufacturer software

Many computer brands include “assistant” programs that actually just take up space and slow down the system. These you can uninstall without fear, since they don’t add anything useful to performance.

🛠️ How to disable startup programs step by step

Now that you know which programs are unnecessary, here comes the important part: how to disable them?

There are several methods, but here are the most practical ones:

✅ Method 1: Task Manager (Windows 10 and 11)

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

2. Click on the Startup tab.

3. Check the list: you’ll see which programs run at startup.

4. Select the unnecessary ones and click Disable.

In just seconds you’ll have a cleaner startup.

✅ Method 2: Use optimization software

There are free and trusted programs like CCleaner, Glary Utilities, or Autoruns that make managing startup programs easier. They usually show more details and let you disable with a single click.

⚠️ Which programs should you NOT disable?

Careful: not all processes are expendable. Some are essential for your PC to work properly:

• Graphics card drivers (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel).

• Audio drivers (Realtek Audio, for example).

• The main antivirus you normally use.

If you’re unsure about a program, look up its name on Google before disabling it.

💡 Extra tips to improve boot speed

Besides disabling startup programs, you can apply these recommendations:

1. Enable Fast Startup in Windows 10/11

   • Go to Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do.

   • Check the option Turn on fast startup.

2. Clean temporary and junk files

   • Use Windows Disk Cleanup tool.

   • Or install utilities like CCleaner to automate the task.

3. Install an SSD if you’re still using a traditional hard drive

   • Migrating your system to an SSD can cut boot time from minutes to seconds.

4. Keep your system updated

   • Installing Windows and driver updates usually improves stability and speed.

🚀 Conclusion

A slow startup doesn’t mean your computer is old or useless. In most cases, simply managing the programs that load at startup properly is enough to restore the speed it had in its early days.

Spend a few minutes disabling the unnecessary ones, follow the extra tips, and you’ll see how your PC boots much faster. Your productivity will thank you… and your patience too!