TechKnowmad
Do you have too many applications launching automatically on your Mac when you start it up? This can be quite annoying and can slow down your computer’s startup process. Fortunately, there are ways to stop these apps from launching automatically. In this article, we will go through 5 ways to stop Mac startup apps at login.
Table of Contents
What Are Mac Startup Apps?
Before we dive into the methods to stop Mac startup apps, let’s discuss what they are. Mac startup apps are applications that launch automatically when you start your computer. These apps can be either system apps or third-party apps. Some apps might be important for your workflow, but others might be unnecessary and can slow down your computer’s performance.
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Use the Login Items Preferences
The first method to stop Mac startup apps is by using the Login Items preferences. Follow these steps to access the Login Items preferences:
- Click on the Apple icon on the top-left corner of your screen.
- Click on “System Preferences” from the dropdown menu.
- Click on “Users & Groups.”
- Click on your user account.
- Click on the “Login Items” tab.
On the Login Items tab, you will see a list of all the applications that launch automatically when you start your computer. To remove an application from the list, select it and click on the “-” button at the bottom of the list. To add an application to the list, click on the “+” button and select the application you want to add.
Use the App’s Preferences
The second method to stop Mac startup apps is by using the app’s preferences. Some apps have the option to launch at login, which can be enabled or disabled in the app’s preferences. To access an app’s preferences, follow these steps:
- Open the app that you want to stop from launching at login.
- Click on the app’s name in the top menu bar.
- Click on “Preferences” from the dropdown menu.
- Look for an option to launch the app at login and disable it.
If you can’t find the option to launch the app at login in the preferences, try looking for it in the app’s settings or options.
Use the Dock
The third method to stop Mac startup apps is by using Dock. Follow these steps to remove an app from the Dock:
- Click and hold the app’s icon in the Dock.
- Drag the app’s icon outside of the Dock.
- Release the app’s icon when you see the “Remove” option.
Removing an app from the Dock doesn’t delete the app from your computer, it just removes it from the Dock. If you want to add the app back to the Dock, simply open the app and right-click on its icon in the Dock. Then, click on “Options” and select “Keep in Dock.”
Use Terminal
The fourth method to stop Mac startup apps is by using Terminal. The terminal is a command-line interface that allows you to control your Mac using text commands. To stop an app from launching at login using Terminal, follow these steps:
- Open Terminal (you can find it in the utility folder in the Applications folder).
- Type in the following command: “sudo launchctl unload -w /path/to/application.app” (replace “/path/to/application.app” with the actual path to the application).
- Press Enter.
This command unloads the app’s launch agent, which is responsible for launching the app at login. To load the app’s launch agent again, use the following command: “sudo launchctl load.
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Use Third-Party Apps
The fifth method to stop Mac startup apps is by using third-party apps. There are many apps available on the App Store that can help you manage your startup apps. One such app is CleanMyMac X, which allows you to disable startup apps with just a few clicks. Here’s how you can use CleanMyMac X to disable startup apps:
- Download and install CleanMyMac X from the App Store.
- Open CleanMyMac X and click on “Optimization” in the left sidebar.
- Click on “Login Items.”
- Select the apps that you want to disable and click on “Disable.”
CleanMyMac X also allows you to manage other startup items, such as launch agents and daemons, which can help you improve your Mac’s performance.
Conclusion
Startup apps can slow down your Mac’s performance and make it take longer to boot up. However, by using these 5 methods, you can easily stop startup apps from launching automatically and improve your Mac’s performance. Whether you choose to use the Login Items preferences, app preferences, the Dock, Terminal, or third-party apps, you can easily manage your startup apps and make your Mac run smoother.
FAQs
- Q: Will stopping Mac startup apps affect my Mac’s performance? A: Disabling unnecessary startup apps can actually improve your Mac’s performance by reducing the amount of memory and CPU usage.
- Q: Can I disable all startup apps? A: It’s not recommended to disable all startup apps, as some apps are essential for your workflow. Only disable apps that you don’t need at startup.
- Q: Can I still use a disabled app after disabling it from startup? A: Yes, you can still use a disabled app after disabling it from startup. You just need to manually launch the app when you want to use it.
- Q: How often should I check my startup apps? A: It’s a good idea to check your startup apps regularly to make sure you’re only launching the apps you need at startup.
- Q: Are third-party apps safe to use? A: It’s important to use reputable third-party apps that have good reviews and are recommended by trusted sources to ensure they’re safe to use.