Use the Startup tool in Tools > Startup. This page explains what the Startup tool is, how to use it, and which programs are safe to disable.
What is the Startup tool?
Having too many programs running when your PC starts up can slow it down. Startup is specifically designed to target this problem by allowing you to easily disable programs you don't need to run during system startup.
How to use CCleaner's Startup tool:
- Click the Tools icon on the left, then click Startup
- You should see a list of all items set to start automatically with Windows. Disabled items show a No in the Enabled column. (See the screenshot below for reference.)
- After this, you can do one of two things:
To stop a program starting with Windows, select the program, and click Disable.
To stop a program from starting with Windows (and remove it from the list of programs that Windows starts automatically), select the program, and click Delete.
Which programs are safe to disable?
1. Programs that you installed yourself:
Most of the third-party apps you installed on your PC should be safe to disable. Here are some common apps that are set to auto-start with Windows:
- Evernote
- Skype
- Steam
Note: As the answer to this question also depends on how you use your PC, we recommend you use a search engine like Google (or an alternative) to research whether certain apps are safe to disable or not.
Health Check and the Startup tool (CCleaner Professional):
If you use CCleaner Professional, you can also use Health Check to disable startup programs. This is via the Speed tab that you can open and customize on the Your PC feels under the weather screen.
Note: The Speed tab, like the three other tabs, also appears on the results screen.
Recommended websites
If you need to find out more about Windows startup programs, try one of these websites.
