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How to stop Discord opening on startup – our guide for Windows and Mac

Find a few simple ways to prevent discord from opening up when you don’t want it to.
Last Updated on July 15, 2024
how to stop discord from opening on start up
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If you are trying to figure out how to stop the Discord app from launching automatically every time you turn your PC on, then we have you covered right here.

Now, if you install the Discord app on a desktop, you might have noticed that the app opens automatically when you boot up your PC or laptop. This is also how Discord scans for updates and installs them without you having to do it manually. However, the updates are not so frequent, so this feature may become a distraction for some.

Thankfully, there are multiple ways in which you can stop Discord from opening on startup. In the guide below, we have outlined the process for Windows as well as Mac.

Quick Answer

How to stop Discord opening on startup

On Windows: Open Discord > Settings > Windows Settings > Toggle off the ‘Open Discord’ option

On Mac: Apple Menu > System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items > Select Discord > Click on (-) to disable

How to disable Discord auto startup on Windows

You can disable the Discord auto start up from within the app or you can do it through your Windows Task Manager.

Step

1

Go to ‘Settings’

Open the Discord app on your PC or laptop and then head over to the ‘Settings.’

Step

2

Go to Windows Settings

Next, scroll down and find ‘Windows Settings’ and then click on it. In this sub-menu, you will find the ‘Open Discord’ option – toggle it off. This will prevent Discord from launching at the next start up.

discord settings for windows startup

Alternate method

You can disable Discord from launching at start up via the Task Manager.

Step

1

Hit the Ctrl + Shift + Esc

On your keyboard, press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys. This will open up the Task Manager on your PC.

Step

2

Go to ‘Start Up apps’

Then, from the list of sub-menus on the left, find and click on ‘Start Up apps.’ This will open up a list of apps that launch automatically when you start your PC.

disable discord startup task manager

Step

3

Disable the Discord app

Then, select ‘Discord’ from the list of apps and then click on the ‘Disable’ option in the upper right corner.

How to disable Discord launch on startup on Mac

Here’s how you can do it on Mac.

Step

1

Go to System Preferences

First, head to the Apple Menu (you can do so by pressing the Apple icon on your keyboard). From that menu, click open the System Preferences.

Step

2

Go to Users and Groups

From the System Preferences menu, head over to the ‘Login Items.’ Here, you will see a list of apps that get launched automatically at the startup. 

Step

3

Deselect Discord

From the list that you see, select Discord and then click on the (-) minus symbol. After this, the app will not open the next time you turn on your Mac.

Alternatively, you can right-click on the Discord icon on the taskbar > Options > uncheck the ‘Open at Login’ option.

Please note that after you disable the auto startup for Discord, you will have to check for updates manually so you don’t miss out on any important updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make Discord not open on startup?

To prevent Discord from opening on startup, you have to disable the specific setting. You can do it from within the Discord app by Open Discord > Settings > Windows Settings > Toggle ‘Open Discord’ off. For alternate methods, check out our guide.

Why Discord is automatically open?

As mentioned in our guide, Discord opens automatically every time you start your computer because that is a default setting. You can change it from your PC settings or from the app settings. Refer to our guide for more information. 

Conclusion

To sum up, when you install Discord app on your PC or Mac, it will launch automatically on start up by default. You can disable this Windows setting through the app or the Task Manager. For Mac, you will have to change the settings from System Preferences. With our guide, it shouldn’t take you more than a minute.

Andrew is one of three co-founders of BGFG, the parent company of PC Guide. A keen gamer and PC enthusiast, Andrew dabbles in a bit of writing sometimes - when he gets the chance to!