Currently, the number of Mac users exceeds 100.4 million people worldwide, demonstrating that Apple’s ecosystem continues to gain popularity (Source: Spyhunter, 2024).
However, among them, many are facing the frustration of slow apps that automatically launch when the device is turned on.
If you are among those millions of people who use Mac for both work and entertainment.
Then understanding how to disable the launch of these applications can be a real game changer in terms of improvements in your device.
In this case, follow through with the steps outlined in this blog, and I will help you regain control of your Mac’s startup sequence.
Why Do Some Apps Run At Startup?
As a Mac user, I’ve been curious as to the reasons behind some applications launching automatically after I turn on my device.
Let’s analyze the reasons behind it:
System Preferences: To ensure you never miss out on any necessary notifications or meetings, some applications, for example, email apps or calendar applications, have the default option to open at start-up.
Background Services: A few other applications can’t just be closed, such as antivirus software and cloud storage applications that need to continue running in the background.
Third-Party Apps: Several third-party applications that need to be ready to be used as soon as your Mac starts, for example, Messaging services, or some predictive tools, can also be configured to launch automatically when you turn on your Mac.
Apple’s Default: macOS often opens some critical system services by itself, for example, time machine backups, and system upgrades to avoid any performance issues.
Knowing these reasons has enabled me to control how my Mac behaves at start-up.
By removing some startup apps that are not helpful, I can increase the performance of the Mac and have a smooth use of the Mac every time it is switched on.
Use a Mac Cleanup Tool
You are probably aware of how pivotal it is to clean your devices and the need for clean-up software especially if you possess a Mac device like I do.
A clean-up tool enables a user to delete unwanted files, cache out, and tweak certain features that can hibernate your system.
For me, it has been especially handy in preventing apps from opening up by themselves the moment my Mac boots.
Also, there’s no rocket science in using it, all you need to do is install the reputable Mac Clean-up tool and follow the on-screen instructions for incorporating it into your device.
As shown in the graph below, the data-cleaning tool Global Market 2024 highlights key insights and trends in the industry.
Remove Login Items
So what are login items? These are those apps that open automatically when you start or login to your Mac device.
And those that are not in much use slow the start-up of the Mac, hence making you frustrated on this matter.
That’s the reason it’s pivotal to remove login items that are not very helpful but instead are interrupters in the Mac device.
Here’s how to do it:
Go to the top left corner, and then tap the Apple Logo >> System Preferences.
Next, click on Users & Groups >> Login Items.
Ahead, you’ll see the list of apps that open automatically with the start of a Mac device.
Now, select the apps that are not very useful to you, and click the minus (-) button to remove them.
Following this, you’ll be able to remove the apps that are causing slow-up of the Mac.
Turn Off Autorun in the App Settings
Since the day I have preferred turning off the autorun in the App Settings, it has made a huge difference in the performance of my Mac.
I no longer need to be frustratingly waiting for apps to be loaded every time I log in, and now my Mac runs much faster and smoother.
Here’s how to do it:
To begin, open the app you don’t want to start automatically.
Then, go to the top left corner (next to the Apple Logo), and tap on the app name.
Now, search for the option like “Open at Login” or “Start when Mac starts.”
Then, uncheck or switch off that option.
At last, you may now close the settings, and the app you unchecked will not start automatically the next time you log in to your Mac.
Make sure to repeat the steps for those apps as well, you don’t want to start automatically.
Do You Know? The first Mac was introduced on January 24 1984 by Steve Jobs.
Is It Necessary To Stop Apps From Running At Startup?
I have noticed that a lot of apps that are not very useful any longer, slow the start-up of my Mac, use up system memory, and just make everything feel like it goes in sloshing mud.
Now, as I’m stopping unnecessary apps from loading, it decreases the amount of time my Mac takes to start up, and frees up RAM for more significant tasks.
It’s not only about the increase in the loading times, but it’s also about the friction that is introduced when using the device.
For me, the positive impact of choosing the apps that run at a start-up has further enhanced optimally the performance of my Mac.
Conclusion
As you have reached the bottom of this guide, you must have learned what major steps it takes to stop apps from running when your Mac starts up.
And once all of the processes in this guide are completed, you will be able to manage your Mac Windows start-up applications.
After that, your device will start to boost faster and better, and you are no longer required to wait around the apps that will never be in use.
As a Mac user myself, I understand how pivotal it is to improve Default system preferences, and I really do hope that I have addressed those goals in the tutorial above.
So, every single time you boot up the Mac, you can expect it to be snappier than the previous time.
Gaurav Rathore
