Introduction
Discord is a popular communication platform widely used by gamers, communities, and individuals around the world. While it offers numerous features and benefits, some users may find it inconvenient or unnecessary for Discord to open automatically every time they start their computer. If you are looking for a way to stop Discord from opening on startup, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we will explore several methods to help you disable Discord from opening automatically when you turn on your computer. Whether you are using a Windows or Mac operating system, these methods can be applied to help you regain control over when and how Discord opens.
By disabling Discord from startup, you can save system resources and streamline your computer’s booting process. This can be particularly useful if you rarely use Discord or prefer to launch it manually only when you need it.
Now, let’s dive into the different methods you can use to stop Discord from opening on startup and regain control over your computer’s startup process.
Method 1: Disabling Discord from Startup Settings
One of the easiest ways to prevent Discord from opening on startup is by modifying the startup settings on your computer. This method is applicable to both Windows and Mac operating systems. Follow the steps below to disable Discord from startup settings:
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For Windows:
- Open the Discord application on your Windows computer.
- Click on the User Settings gear icon located at the bottom left of the Discord window.
- In the left sidebar, select the Windows Settings category.
- Toggle off the “Open Discord” option under the “System Startup Behavior” section.
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For Mac:
- Launch the Discord app on your Mac.
- Click on the Discord menu at the top left of the screen.
- Select Preferences.
- In the preferences window, navigate to the General tab.
- Uncheck the box next to “Open Discord” for it to not open on startup.
By following these steps, you can easily disable Discord from opening on startup and regain control over when you want to launch the application.
However, it is important to note that disabling Discord from startup settings only prevents it from automatically launching when you start your computer. You can still manually open Discord whenever you need it.
Now that you have disabled Discord from startup settings, let’s explore an alternative method to achieve the same result.
Method 2: Using Task Manager to Disable Discord Startup
If you prefer a more direct approach to disabling Discord from startup, you can use the Task Manager on your Windows computer. This method allows you to control which applications run on startup and easily remove Discord from the startup list. Follow these steps to disable Discord startup using Task Manager:
- Right-click on the taskbar of your Windows computer and select Task Manager from the context menu. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager directly.
- In the Task Manager window, navigate to the Startup tab.
- Locate Discord in the list of startup applications.
- Right-click on Discord and select Disable.
Once you have disabled Discord from startup using Task Manager, it will no longer open automatically when you start your computer. You can still launch Discord manually whenever you need it.
This method provides a more granular control over startup applications, allowing you to disable specific programs from running on startup. It is particularly useful if you want to optimize your computer’s startup performance by reducing the number of applications that launch automatically.
Now that you have disabled Discord startup using Task Manager, let’s explore another method to stop Discord from opening on startup.
Method 3: Disabling Discord Update from Settings
Another method to prevent Discord from opening on startup is by disabling the automatic update feature in the Discord settings. This method is applicable to both Windows and Mac operating systems. By turning off automatic updates, you can ensure that Discord doesn’t launch itself to check for updates. Follow the steps below to disable Discord updates:
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For Windows:
- Open the Discord application on your Windows computer.
- Click on the User Settings gear icon located at the bottom left of the Discord window.
- In the left sidebar, select the Advanced category.
- Under the Updates section, change the update option to “Ask me before updating Discord”.
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For Mac:
- Launch the Discord app on your Mac.
- Click on the Discord menu at the top left of the screen.
- Select Preferences.
- In the preferences window, navigate to the Advanced tab.
- Under the Updates section, select “Ask me before updating Discord” from the drop-down menu.
By disabling automatic updates in the Discord settings, you can prevent Discord from continuously checking for updates and opening on startup. You will be prompted to update Discord only when you manually choose to do so.
This method provides a way to have more control over Discord’s update process and ensures that you can decide when to update the application without it launching automatically on startup.
Now that you have disabled Discord updates, let’s explore another method to stop Discord from opening on startup.
Method 4: Removing Discord from System Tray
If Discord is still appearing on your computer’s system tray even after disabling it from startup settings, you can try removing it from the system tray altogether. This method is applicable to Windows computers. By removing Discord from the system tray, you can ensure that it doesn’t automatically launch when you start your computer. Follow the steps below to remove Discord from the system tray:
- Right-click on the taskbar of your Windows computer.
- From the context menu, select Taskbar settings.
- In the Taskbar settings window, scroll down to the Notification area section.
- Click on “Select which icons appear on the taskbar”.
- Locate Discord in the list of icons.
- Toggle the switch next to Discord to Off.
By turning off Discord in the system tray, you are effectively preventing it from automatically launching on startup. This method provides a more direct way to remove Discord from your computer’s startup process.
Now that you have removed Discord from the system tray, let’s explore the final method to stop Discord from opening on startup.
Method 5: Removing Discord Files from Startup Folder
If Discord continues to open on startup despite following the previous methods, you can try removing Discord files from the startup folder on your computer. This method is applicable to Windows operating systems. By removing Discord files from the startup folder, you can ensure that it no longer launches automatically when you start your computer. Follow the steps below to remove Discord files from the startup folder:
- Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type shell:startup and hit Enter. This will open the Startup folder.
- In the Startup folder, locate the Discord shortcut or any files related to Discord.
- Right-click on the Discord shortcut or file and select Delete from the context menu.
By deleting the Discord shortcut or files from the startup folder, you are effectively removing its automatic startup behavior. This method provides a direct way to control Discord’s presence in your computer’s startup process.
Now that you have removed Discord files from the startup folder, Discord will no longer open automatically when you start your computer.
Conclusion
Having Discord open on startup can sometimes be inconvenient, especially if you rarely use it or want better control over your computer’s startup process. In this article, we explored various methods to stop Discord from opening on startup.
Firstly, we discussed how to disable Discord from startup settings, both in the application itself and through the operating system’s settings. This allows you to easily toggle off the option for Discord to launch automatically when you start your computer.
Secondly, we learned how to use Task Manager on Windows to disable Discord startup. By removing Discord from the startup list, you can have more control over which applications run when your computer boots up.
Thirdly, we discussed how to disable Discord updates. By changing the update settings to require your permission before updating, you prevent Discord from launching automatically to check for updates.
Fourthly, we explored how to remove Discord from the system tray. By turning off the Discord icon from appearing in the system tray, you ensure that it doesn’t auto-start when you boot up your computer.
Finally, we went over how to remove Discord files from the startup folder. By deleting the Discord shortcut or related files from the startup folder, you completely remove its automatic startup behavior.
By applying one or more of these methods, depending on your preference and operating system, you can successfully prevent Discord from opening on startup and have more control over when you want to use the application.
Remember, if you want to use Discord, you can always launch it manually whenever you need it, rather than having it automatically open with your computer.
Take control of your computer’s startup process and tailor it to your needs by disabling Discord from opening on startup. Enjoy a smoother and more streamlined startup experience!