How to Stop Discord from Opening on Startup

Discord is an excellent communication tool, but having it automatically launch the moment you turn on your computer can slow down your system’s boot time—especially if you don’t plan on using it right away. Fortunately, preventing Discord from opening on startup is a simple adjustment. You can change this behavior either directly within the Discord app or through your computer’s system settings.

Method 1: Through Discord Settings (Recommended)

The easiest way to stop Discord from launching automatically is to change the setting directly within the app itself. This method works on both Windows and Mac.

1. Open the Discord application.
2. Click the User Settings icon (it looks like a gear) located near your username and avatar in the bottom-left corner.
3. In the left sidebar, scroll down to the App Settings section and click on Windows Settings (or Mac Settings if you are on a Mac).
4. Under the “System Startup Behavior” section, toggle OFF the switch labeled Open Discord.

Once disabled, Discord will only open when you manually click its shortcut.

Method 2: Through Windows Task Manager

If you prefer to manage all your startup applications in one place on a Windows PC, you can use the Task Manager:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open the Task Manager. (If it opens in a compact view, click “More details” at the bottom).
2. Click on the Startup tab (or the Startup apps icon on the left sidebar in Windows 11).
3. Locate Discord in the list of applications. Note: Sometimes Discord may appear under the name “Update” with a GitHub icon, depending on how it was installed.
4. Right-click on Discord and select Disable.

Method 3: Through macOS System Settings

If you are using a Mac and want to manage your startup items via system settings, follow these steps:

1. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
2. Navigate to General and click on Login Items.
3. Under the Open at Login section, look for Discord in the list.
4. Select Discord, then click the minus (–) button below the list to remove it from your startup items.