Introduction
Discord is a popular messaging and voice platform for gamers and communities, but many users have reported that it opens automatically upon startup, which can slow down the computer and disrupt the user’s workflow. Fortunately, it is easy to disable Discord from startup. In this article, we’ll provide you a complete guide on how to stop Discord from opening on startup, including step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting tips, using third-party applications, and the Regedit method. We’ll also suggest a helpful video tutorial and share some best practices to avoid common mistakes.
Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s how to stop Discord from opening on startup:
1. Open Discord by double-clicking on the desktop shortcut or searching for it in the Start menu.
2. Click on the User Settings icon in the bottom-left corner of the Discord window.
3. Scroll down to the App Settings section, click on the Windows Settings tab, and toggle off the “Open Discord” option under Startup Behavior.
4. Close Discord and restart your computer to check if Discord has stopped opening on startup.
If you want to revert this change, simply repeat step 3 and toggle on the “Open Discord” option.
Note: If you’re using the Discord web version, you won’t have the Windows Settings tab, so you’ll need to access the Discord client installed on your computer to change the startup behavior.
Video Tutorial
If you prefer a visual guide, we highly recommend watching this YouTube video that shows how to disable Discord from startup:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_pVlUqk_qQ
This tutorial is clear, concise, and easy-to-follow, and it covers the same steps we outlined above. By watching this video, you can see how the Discord settings look like in real-time and how the toggle switch works. Additionally, you can pause, rewind, and re-watch the video as necessary and follow along with the instructor.
Troubleshooting Tips
If Discord still opens on startup after following our step-by-step guide, you might have encountered one of these issues:
1. Incorrect settings: Make sure you’ve disabled Discord from startup in both the App Settings and Windows Settings tabs of the Discord client. If you use multiple Discord accounts, remember to apply the change to each account.
2. Malware infection: Some malware can add itself to the list of startup programs, including Discord. Use reputable antivirus software to scan your computer for viruses and remove them. Also, be cautious when downloading and installing free software, as they might bundle with adware or spyware.
3. Corrupted Discord installation: If Discord doesn’t work properly or crashes frequently, try uninstalling it and then reinstalling the latest version from the official Discord website.
4. Hidden startup programs: Other applications, such as Steam, Skype, Spotify, or Adobe Creative Cloud, might also open automatically on startup and consume system resources. Check their settings and disable them if necessary.
By fixing these issues, you can prevent Discord from opening on startup and boost your computer performance.
Using Third-Party Applications
If you want more control over your startup programs, you can use third-party applications such as CCleaner, a free system optimization tool that allows you to manage programs that run at startup. Here’s how:
1. Download CCleaner from the official website (https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner/download) and install it following the prompts.
2. Open CCleaner and go to the Tools tab on the left sidebar.
3. Click on the Startup button and review the list of startup programs, including their name, publisher, and impact on startup time.
4. To disable a program from startup, click on it and select the Disable button. To enable a program again, click on it and select the Enable button.
5. Exit CCleaner and restart your computer to apply the changes.
CCleaner also allows you to add or delete startup programs and manage scheduled tasks, giving you more flexibility and customization options.
However, keep in mind that using third-party applications comes with some risks, such as accidentally deleting vital programs or leaving security holes. Therefore, it’s essential to use a reliable and up-to-date program and to exercise caution when making changes.
Regedit Method
If you’re comfortable with editing the Windows Registry, you can try this method to stop Discord from opening on startup:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” without quotation marks and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
4. Look for the “Discord” key in the right pane and right-click on it.
5. Select “Delete” and confirm the deletion.
6. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer to check if Discord opens on startup.
Alternatively, you can use a dedicated startup manager software such as Autoruns from Sysinternals to edit the registry without manually navigating it.
Warning: Editing the registry is a delicate operation that can cause system failures or data loss if done incorrectly. Therefore, it’s crucial to create a backup of your registry beforehand, follow the steps precisely, and avoid modifying other registry keys unless you know what you’re doing.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you to stop Discord from opening on startup and improve your computer’s performance. Remember to double-check the settings, scan for malware, and use caution when editing the registry or using third-party applications. If you have any other tips or questions, feel free to leave a comment below and share this article with your friends who might be facing the same issue.
