How to Stop Chrome from Opening on Startup (Windows & Mac)

Ever feel like Chrome is just a little too eager to help? If your browser keeps launching itself every time you turn on your computer, you’re not alone. Here’s how to gently tell Chrome to wait its turn, whether you’re using Windows or Mac.

For Windows Users

Method 1: Disable Chrome in Startup Apps

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click the Startup tab at the top.
3. Look for Google Chrome in the list.
4. Right-click it and choose Disable.

That’s it! Chrome won’t launch automatically the next time you restart.

Method 2: Check Chrome’s Settings

1. Open Chrome.
2. Click the three dots in the top-right corner and select Settings.
3. Scroll down to On startup.
4. Make sure it’s set to Open the New Tab page or Continue where you left off—but this only affects what opens inside Chrome, not whether Chrome starts up with Windows.

Method 3: Remove Chrome from the Startup Folder

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run box.
2. Type shell:startup and press Enter.
3. If you see a Chrome shortcut here, right-click and delete it.

For Mac Users

Method 1: Remove Chrome from Login Items

1. Click the Apple menu and go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS).
2. Select Users & Groups.
3. Choose your user profile and click the Login Items tab.
4. Find Google Chrome in the list, click it, and then click the minus (-) button to remove it.

Method 2: Check Chrome’s Settings

Just like on Windows, Chrome’s own settings don’t control whether it launches at startup—but it’s worth checking if you use extensions that might re-launch Chrome.

Method 3: Third-Party App Managers

If you use an app like CleanMyMac or CCleaner, you can manage startup items from there as well.

Bonus Tip: Double-Check Scheduled Tasks (Windows)

Sometimes other programs or updates add Chrome to your startup in sneaky ways. If it still keeps showing up, open Task Scheduler and look for any tasks that launch Chrome—then disable or delete them.

Final Thoughts:
Stopping Chrome from launching at startup is all about taking back a bit of control—and a few quiet moments before your tabs start multiplying. Follow these steps, and your computer should greet you with a peaceful desktop next time you power on.