Ashkon Software

Simple Startup Manager - Disable Startup Programs on Windows 10 and 11

Many programs quietly add themselves to Windows startup, slowing down boot time and wasting memory – and malware uses the same places to launch itself. Simple Startup Manager shows everything that starts automatically with Windows 10 and Windows 11 in one window and lets you enable, disable, edit, add or delete any startup item with a single click.

Download free trial Buy now – $24.95
Simple Startup Manager main window with startup locations tree and startup entries list

Features

  • All startup locations in one place – Run/RunOnce keys, Startup folders, services, drivers, scheduled tasks, Explorer handlers, Winlogon, Boot Execute, Active Setup, Store apps
  • Safe enable/disable – compatible with Task Manager, Settings and Autoruns
  • Spot suspicious programs – verifies digital signatures, highlights unsigned and missing files
  • Check with VirusTotal by SHA-256 hash, or search online
  • Snapshots – compare later to see what was added, changed or removed
  • Automatic backup of every deleted item
  • Add and edit entries; run or stop programs, services and tasks
  • Jump to Registry Editor, Explorer or Task Scheduler
  • Instant search; hide Microsoft entries; export to CSV or text
  • Native 32-bit and 64-bit; works for standard users and administrators

Startup items are organized in a tree by location: Logon (Run keys), Startup folders, Services, Drivers, Scheduled Tasks, Explorer shell extensions, Winlogon, Boot Execute, Active Setup and Microsoft Store apps. For each entry you see its description, publisher, file path, command line, version and digital signature, so unknown or unsigned programs stand out immediately.

Disabling an item does not delete it: Simple Startup Manager uses the same methods as Windows Task Manager and Settings, so you can turn items back on at any time. Before anything is deleted, a backup copy is saved automatically.

How to disable startup programs on Windows

  1. Download and install the free 30-day trial of Simple Startup Manager. An administrator gets one Windows prompt and can change every entry; a standard user can change his own entries, and File > Run as Administrator restarts the program with full rights.
  2. Find what starts: click Logon (Run keys) or Startup Folders in the tree on the left, or Computer to see everything. Options > Hide Microsoft Entries leaves only other programs in the list.
  3. Check an entry: look at its Description, Publisher, Image Path and Signature. Search Online or Check VirusTotal in the right-click menu tells you more about an unknown program.
  4. Disable it: clear the entry’s check box, or choose Entry > Disable. The program no longer starts with Windows, and you can turn it back on the same way at any time.

When you need to see what starts with Windows

  • Windows starts slowly and the taskbar fills with icons of programs you rarely use: updaters, helpers, chat and cloud apps.
  • A program starts and you cannot find where: besides Run keys and the Startup folder, programs start as services, drivers, scheduled tasks, Explorer shell extensions, Winlogon and Active Setup entries. All of them are listed here.
  • A suspicious entry: with Options > Verify Code Signatures on, unsigned entries are shown in pink and entries whose file is missing in yellow. Check any file on VirusTotal by its SHA-256 hash.
  • After installing new software: save a snapshot with File > Save Snapshot, and later use Compare with Snapshot to see what was added, changed or removed.
  • Leftovers of uninstalled programs: delete entries whose file no longer exists. A backup copy is saved first.
  • A service or scheduled task you do not need: disable it, or stop it right now with Entry > Stop.

Want to see what is running right now? Advanced Process Explorer shows every running process with its CPU and memory use, command line and digital signature.

Frequently asked questions

How do I disable startup programs in Windows 11?

Open Simple Startup Manager, select Logon or Startup Folders in the tree, or Computer to see everything, and clear the check box of the entry you do not want. It no longer starts with Windows. Check the box again to turn it back on.

Is it safe to disable startup programs?

Disabling does not delete anything. Simple Startup Manager disables entries the same way as Task Manager and Settings, so you can turn them back on at any time. Entries that Windows needs to start cannot be disabled, and before an entry is deleted a backup copy is saved.

Why does Task Manager not show all startup programs?

The Startup apps page of Task Manager shows only part of what starts automatically. Services, drivers, scheduled tasks, Explorer shell extensions, Winlogon, Boot Execute and Active Setup entries are not on it. Simple Startup Manager shows all of these in one window.

How can I tell if a startup program is malware?

Turn on Options > Verify Code Signatures: unsigned entries and entries with an untrusted signature are highlighted, and entries whose file is missing are shown in yellow. Right-click an entry to check its file on VirusTotal by SHA-256 hash or to search for it online.

Can I undo changes?

Yes. A disabled entry stays in the list and can be enabled again with one click. Every deleted entry is backed up first to a backup folder, which Help > Open Backup Folder opens.

Does Simple Startup Manager work without administrator rights?

Yes. A standard user can run it without a Windows prompt and change his own startup entries. To change entries for all users, services and drivers, use File > Run as Administrator.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. The trial is fully functional for 30 days. A license is $24.95.

Ordering

After a completed secure online order, an unlocking key file is emailed to you within two business days. Questions about ordering or registration: order@ashkon.com. Prices for all products are on the Order page.