Spotify launching itself every time you fire up your PC? Yeah, that can be a real pain, especially if you’re not keen on music first thing in the morning. The good news? Stopping Spotify from auto-starting on Windows 11 isn’t too tricky — you just need to know where to look. Usually, it’s a matter of tinkering with the app settings or turning it off through Windows’ built-in tools.
How to Stop Spotify from Opening on Startup Windows 11
Here’s the rundown — if Spotify keeps popping up every time you boot up, it’s probably because a setting inside the app or a startup entry in Windows is enabled. This is a bit different from the old “Startup” folder or the Task Manager’s startup list, but it’s good to check those too if the first method doesn’t do the trick.
Method 1: Inside Spotify Settings
This one works because Spotify has its own toggle for that. To switch it off, open the app. If it’s not on your desktop, just search for Spotify in the Start menu and click to open it. Once it’s up, click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Settings.
Scroll down to the section called Startup and Window Behaviour. Here, look for the toggle labelled Open Spotify automatically after you log into the computer. Turn that off. It can be a bit finicky sometimes, especially after updates or if you installed Spotify via a different method.
Once you’ve switched it off, just close the settings window. No need to save — Spotify saves those settings automatically. Now, it shouldn’t launch on startup anymore. Sometimes, a quick restart of your PC or Spotify itself helps make sure the change sticks. From now on, Spotify will only start when you open it manually, and that should help speed up your boot.
Method 2: Check Windows’ Startup Settings (Task Manager)
If that doesn’t do the job, try this. Windows keeps a list of apps that launch when you start up in the Task Manager. You might see Spotify there enabled, which is why it keeps opening. To check, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, then go to the Startup tab.
Find Spotify in the list. If it’s there, right-click on it and select Disable. This is often more reliable if Spotify’s own settings aren’t sticking or if some other app is resetting it.
This works because the Task Manager’s startup list is what Windows runs when it boots. Disabling Spotify there stops it from launching in the background, even if Spotify’s internal settings revert for some reason.
Note: on some setups, Spotify can be stubborn, and you might need to restart your PC or do a full reboot for the changes to work properly. Especially if another app or a third-party tool manages startup programs.
Extra Notes:
Sometimes, Spotify adds itself to Windows startup via the registry or scheduled tasks. Not super common, but if you’re still seeing it after trying everything, you might need to peek into Task Scheduler or regedit. Beware though — messing with the registry can cause issues if you’re not careful.
Tips for How to Stop Spotify from Opening on Startup Windows 11
- Check the Startup tab in Task Manager — it’s often the main culprit.
- Double-check Spotify’s in-app settings, especially after updates.
- Look out for scheduled tasks in Task Scheduler (just search “Task Scheduler” in Start).
- Keep Spotify up to date; sometimes bugs cause settings to reset.
- If you reinstall Spotify, you might have to do this again — those settings don’t stick forever.
- Disable unnecessary startup apps to speed up your boot, you know?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Spotify open on startup?
Usually it’s because of the toggle you set inside Spotify, or maybe a leftover setting that resets after an update. It’s handy for quick access but, let’s be honest, sometimes it’s just plain annoying.
Can I stop Spotify from opening without opening the app?
Absolutely. The easiest way is through Windows’ Task Manager. Hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to the Startup tab, and disable Spotify. Sometimes even if you switch it off inside Spotify, Windows can override that, which is why the Task Manager method is a safer bet.
Will turning off Spotify at startup mess with its performance?
No worries — it just stops Spotify from launching automatically. You can open it anytime you like, and it’ll run fine. Basically, it’s just delaying the launch until you actually click on it.
How do I manage startup apps quick smart?
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, head to the Startup tab, and turn off whatever’s not needed. Makes your PC boot faster and keeps the background clutter down.
What if I stuff up the settings and want a reset?
Reinstalling Spotify usually resets most of its internal settings. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can dig into the Registry or scheduled tasks, but that’s only if you’re comfortable with the tech side.
Summary
- Open Spotify and go into Settings.
- Scroll to Startup and Window Behaviour.
- Switch off the auto-start toggle.
- Check Windows’ Task Manager > Startup tab to disable Spotify there, too.
- If in doubt, reboot and see if it’s sorted.
Hopefully, this’ll help you save some time in the mornings or at least stop Spotify from popping up when you’re trying to concentrate. Sometimes it’s just about knowing where the sneaky options are hiding, and doing a bit of a tidy-up. Cheers and good luck!