how to stop macs from keeping programs om boot up,How to Stop Macs from Keeping Programs on Boot Up

How to Stop Macs from Keeping Programs on Boot Up

Are you tired of your Mac launching a plethora of programs every time you turn it on? This can be quite frustrating, especially if you only need to use a few applications at a time. The good news is that you can easily manage which programs launch at startup. Here’s a detailed guide on how to stop Macs from keeping programs on boot up.

Understanding the Problem

Your Mac keeps programs on boot up because they are set to open automatically when you start your computer. This can be due to various reasons, such as convenience or habit. However, it can also slow down your startup process and consume unnecessary system resources.

Method 1: Using the Login Items List

The first method to stop programs from launching at startup is by using the Login Items list. Here’s how to do it:

1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select “System Preferences.”
2. In the System Preferences window, click on “Users & Groups.”
3. Click on your username on the left side of the window.
4. Go to the “Login Items” tab.
5. Here, you will see a list of all the programs that launch at startup. Select the program you want to remove and click the “-” button below the list to remove it.
6. Click “OK” to save your changes.

Method 2: Using Terminal

For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, you can use the Terminal to manage startup items. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Terminal application. You can find it in the “Utilities” folder within the “Applications” directory.
2. In the Terminal, type the following command: defaults read com.apple.loginitems | grep -v '^' | cut -d ':' -f 1 and press Enter.
3. This command will display a list of all the programs that are set to launch at startup. Take note of the names of the programs you want to remove.
4. Now, type the following command for each program you want to remove: killall -9 ProgramName (replace “ProgramName” with the actual name of the program).
5. After removing the programs, you can use the Login Items list method mentioned earlier to prevent them from launching at startup in the future.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications

There are several third-party applications available that can help you manage startup items on your Mac. Some popular options include:

• Startup Manager: This application provides a user-friendly interface for managing startup items. It allows you to easily enable or disable programs from launching at startup.
• Onyx: Onyx is a system optimization tool that includes a feature for managing startup items. It also offers other useful system maintenance options.
• CCleaner: While primarily known for its disk cleaning capabilities, CCleaner also includes a feature for managing startup items.

Additional Tips

Here are some additional tips to help you manage startup items on your Mac:

• Regularly review your startup items: It’s a good practice to review your startup items periodically to ensure that only the necessary programs are launching at startup.
• Keep your applications up to date: Outdated applications can sometimes cause issues with startup items. Make sure to keep your applications updated to the latest versions.
• Use the Activity Monitor: The Activity Monitor can help you identify resource-intensive applications that may be causing your Mac to slow down during startup.

By following these methods and tips, you can effectively stop Macs from keeping programs on boot up and improve your overall system performance.