How to Remove Startup and Login Items in Background on Mac?
If you are using a MacBook, you must know the services, apps, and items that automatically run once your device is booted up. Some of these processes or applications might not be very important, and you may not necessarily need them to run in the background for the proper functioning of your MacBook.
These startup or login items running in the background of your Mac often slow down your device’s performance by using many of the valuable GPU and CPU services essential for fast and smooth computing.
Hence, to boost your Mac’s performance, you should consider removing or disabling these startup items running in your device’s background. This post or article will guide you through the different methods for permanently disabling, temporarily disabling, or delaying the launch of these startup or login processes or items.
How To Delete or Disable Startup Apps on Your Mac
If your MacBook is taking longer than usual to startup, then it is high time you disable or delete the startup apps running in the background on your MacBook. Follow the instructions in this section to disable the apps from automatically starting up on your MacBook while you boot up the device.
On macOS Ventura, Sonoma → How To Remove Login Items On Mac
Step. 1→ First, navigate to the System Settings from your MacBook’s dock or Apple Logo menu.
Step. 2→ From the list of settings available in the sidebar on the left side of your Mac’s screen, click on “General.” or (Option + F2)
Step. 3→ While in the general tab, select the “Login Items” action.
In the login items panel, the users can see separate sections: the applications that launch on the startup of your Mac and the login items associated with some apps that automatically open once you boot up your MacBook. The login items are the apps’ services required for the application to work correctly on your device. But you can disable it without worrying about the app crashing or not working correctly, as these services are relaunched once you run the app.
Step. 4→ Look for the app you want to disable in the section containing all the startup applications and click on it.
Step. 5→ Then, click on the “Minus (-)” symbol to remove that application from automatically starting up on your MacBook. Toggle the bar next to it to prevent a login item from starting up.
That’s it. Also, we can manage it from specific app preferences like Microsoft Teams App.
On macOS Monterey & Earlier→ Mac Login Items
Step. 1→ Use the applications folder, Apple Logo menu, or your MacBook’s dock to launch the system preferences window.
Step. 2→ Tap on the “Users & Groups” option in the system preferences window.
Step. 3→ Now, choose your account from the list of accounts added to your Mac from the panel on the left side.
Step. 4→ After you have selected your account, click on the “Login Items” action.
Step. 5→ Use your mouse to scroll up and down to locate the applications you want to delete or disable from starting up automatically on your Mac.
Step. 6→ Once you have decided which app to disable, click on the “Minus (-)” symbol next to it to prevent it from starting.
The macOS Monterey users can also disable the startup or login apps by going to the dock of their MacBook and right-clicking on the app they want to disable from starting up. Then, the mouse hovers over the “Options” action and unchecks the box next to the “Open at Login” setting.
How To Temporarily Disable Startup Apps on Your Mac?
MacBook users, be it macOS Monterey or earlier or macOS Ventura, can temporarily prevent startup apps or login items from automatically running in the background or when you log in to your device. This process is beneficial for people who are in a hurry to log in to their device or troubleshoot their MacBook for problems to fix the startup issues. This process is the same for devices running on both macOS Monterey or earlier operating systems and macOS Ventura & later; hence go through the steps listed below.
Step. 1→ First, shut down your MacBook if it is already booted up.
Step. 2→ Now, power up the Mac by pressing the power button.
Step. 3→ Once at the login window, press and hold the Shift key while you log in.
Step. 4→ After that, let go of the Shift key once the dock appears on the screen.
If the login window does not appear on your MacBook’s screen, restart your computer and long-press the Shift key as soon as you witness the progress bar. Finally, release the Shift key once you are at the home screen.
How To Delay the Launch of Certain Mac Startup Apps?
A few MacBook startup or login items cannot be dispensed even after cleaning up everything on your device. So you might consider disabling or removing these items from automatically starting up on your Mac, but this would potentially mean that you would have to manually launch those apps every time you want to use them. This can be very annoying and tiresome.
To overcome this difficulty, Apple has provided a unique “Delay Start” feature, which essentially delays the selected applications from starting once you boot your computer, reducing the burden on your device and its performance. To set up the delay start feature, note the steps listed below.
Step. 1→ The first step is to open the “Login Items” window on your Mac. You can refer to the previous sections of this article to go to the login items window in macOS Monterey or earlier operating systems and macOS.
Step. 2→ Then, remove the existing startup or login items from the list you want to set the delay for on your MacBook.
Step. 3→ Now, at the bottom left corner of the login items window, you will find an “Add (+)” symbol. Click on it.
Step. 4→ Look for the “Delay Start” app in the list of available applications and click on it to add it to the login items section.
Step. 5→ Now, launch or run the “Delay Start” app on your MacBook.
Step. 6→ Following that, click on the “Add (+)” button at the bottom of the delay to start the application.
Step. 7→ Then, select the apps you want to set the delay for before starting up and add them.
Step. 8→ Finally, enter the time in seconds in the “Time Setting” field to set the desired delay before that app launches or runs on your MacBook.
Once you have completed the above-described process, Mac will delay the selected applications from automatically starting up on your device by the specified time interval.
Removing or disabling certain startup apps or login items from running in your MacBook’s background can boost your computer’s performance and lead to your device starting up faster. So if your Mac is taking longer than usual to boot up, you should consider disabling the login or startup items in the background of your Mac. Use any of the ways explained in this publish per your needs to improve your device’s performance and prevent it from getting sluggish.
FAQs→
1: How do I turn off certain apps running in the background?
→ In MacBooks, the users get three options to turn off the apps running in the background. They can permanently disable the startup apps, temporarily disable them, or delay the launch of these startup apps or login items. Each of these methods has been explained in detail in this post so kindly refer to it.
2: Why does my Mac automatically open apps?
→ Certain apps and services have the default settings that require them to automatically startup in the background each time you start your MacBook. This is the sole reason these apps automatically open in the background.
3: Where are Mac login items stored?
→ The Mac login items are stored in your computer’s general settings tab (in macOS Ventura & later) and the users & groups tab (in macOS Monterey or earlier operating systems). Refer to the first method of this article to navigate to the login items panel on your MacBook.
4: Can you tell if someone logged into your Macbook?
→ On the MacBook, the users can use the Console app to view their login details and other logs like “All Messages.” The users can then scroll up to see the previously sent or received messages.
5: How do I hide startup programs on Mac?
→ You can use or employ any of the above-listed methods to hide the startup programs on your MacBook, depending on your needs.
