Alex Ruben
How to Prevent Google Chrome from Automatically Opening on Startup
If you find Google Chrome launching every time you start your computer, it can be frustrating and slow down your boot time. This guide will walk you through the steps to stop Chrome from opening on startup, whether you’re using Windows or macOS. By following these simple steps, you will enhance your computer’s performance and gain control over your startup applications.
Before you begin, ensure that you have administrative access to your computer, as certain settings may require administrative privileges. No downloads or additional tools are necessary for this process, just your computer and a few clicks.
Step 1: Open Task Manager on Windows
To check startup programs on a Windows machine, begin by right-clicking on the taskbar at the bottom of your screen. From the context menu, select Task Manager. When the Task Manager window appears, navigate to the left side and click on Startup to view all the applications that are set to launch at startup.
Step 2: Disable Chrome from Starting Automatically
In the Startup tab of the Task Manager, look for Google Chrome in the list of applications. If you find it, right-click on it and select Disable. This action will prevent Chrome from launching automatically every time you start your computer.
Step 3: Adjust Chrome Settings to Stop Background Running
Next, you will want to adjust settings within Chrome to ensure it doesn’t run in the background. Open Google Chrome and click on the three vertical dots located at the top right corner of the browser. From the dropdown menu, select Settings. In the Settings menu, navigate to the left sidebar and click on System. Here, you will find an option labeled Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed.
Toggle this option off to prevent Chrome from running any background applications after you close the browser. The toggle will change to gray, indicating that the setting is turned off.
Step 4: Restart Your Computer
After making these changes, it’s important to restart your computer to ensure that all settings take effect. Simply go to your computer’s start menu and select Restart.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Occasionally, Chrome may still launch due to other settings or extensions. If you continue to experience issues, consider checking for any Chrome extensions that may have startup permissions. Additionally, you can review the Task Scheduler on Windows to see if any tasks are set to launch Chrome automatically.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can successfully stop Google Chrome from automatically opening on startup, improving your computer’s performance and boot time. Regularly checking your startup applications can help maintain your system’s efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disable Chrome from starting on macOS?
Yes, macOS users can prevent Chrome from starting up by going to System Preferences, selecting Users & Groups, and then clicking on Login Items. From there, you can remove Chrome from the list of applications that open at login.
What if Chrome still opens even after disabling startup?
If Chrome continues to open at startup, check for any extensions or third-party applications that may be set to launch it. Additionally, ensure that you’ve disabled the background running option as described in Step 3.
How can I check for updates to Chrome?
To ensure you’re using the latest version of Chrome, click on the three vertical dots at the top right corner, go to Help, and select About Google Chrome. This will automatically check for updates.