Even after a series of updates over the past few years, Google Chrome remains a memory hog on the desktop. One of the reasons for this is the default behavior of the browser to open automatically on startup in Windows 10. As a result, it consumes memory in the background and slows down other tasks on the computer. Here’s how to stop Google Chrome from opening on startup in Windows 10.
The default settings in Google Chrome may have caused the browser to open on startup in Windows 10. Fortunately, there are several ways to stop the behavior in Windows 10. Let’s discuss these.
1. Use Windows 10 Task Manager
The default Task Manager app in Windows 10 gives you a quick look at the services running in the background and during startup. You can easily disable them using the Task Manager app. Here’s how.
Stage 1: Press the Windows key and search for Task Manager.
Step 2: Press Enter and open the Task Manager application.
Stage 3: Go to the startup tab and you will see Google Chrome in the list.
Step 4: Task Manager will also show the startup effect of the software on the system. Right click on Google Chrome and select Disable.
From now on, Google Chrome will not launch on Windows 10 at startup.
2. Disable Background-Running Apps
By default, Google Chrome enables an option that allows the browser to continue running background apps when closed. This is mostly useful when you have Chrome web apps installed on a Windows 10 computer.
You should disable the toggle from the Chrome Settings menu. Here’s how to do it.
Stage 1: Open Google Chrome on your Windows 10 computer.
Step 2: Click the three-dot menu at the top and go to Settings.
Stage 3: Go to the Advanced > System menu.
Step 4: Disable ‘Continue running apps running in the background when Google Chrome is closed’.
Close the Chrome browser and restart the computer.
3. Use the Windows Settings Menu
You can also disable Google Chrome from opening at startup using the Windows 10 Settings menu. A handy alternative to the Task Manager method we mentioned above.
Stage 1: In Windows 10, open the Settings app (use Windows + I keys).
Step 2: Go to Applications > Start menu.
Stage 3: Find Google Chrome from the list and disable the toggle.
4. Remove Browser Hijackers
Sometimes the problem occurs when your browser is hijacked by malware trying to redirect you to fake websites with ads and scams.
Google Chrome used to offer a built-in browser to remove such fake files from the browser. Google removed this in recent versions. For now, users will have to rely on the Windows Security app to get the job done.
Stage 1: Press the Windows key and search for Windows Security.
Step 2: Open the app and go to Virus & threat protection.
Stage 3: Click on quick scan.
Let Windows Security do a background scan and it will remove harmful files from the computer.
5. Reset Google Chrome
An incorrect setting change in the Chrome browser can cause the browser to open on startup in Windows 10. Let’s reset all Chrome settings.
Stage 1: Open the Google Chrome browser.
Step 2: Click the three-dot menu at the top and go to Settings.
Stage 3: Go to the Advanced > System > Reset Settings menu.
Step 4: Click on it and select the Reset Settings button.
Restart the computer and check the Chrome behavior again.
6. Uninstall Google Chrome
If Google Chrome still opens for you at startup, you need to uninstall the browser and install the fresh copy from the web.
Stage 1: In Windows 10, open the Settings app and go to the Apps menu.
Step 2: Locate Google Chrome from the list and click the Uninstall button to remove the browser from the computer.
Go to the Google Chrome website and download the latest browser version on your Windows 10 computer. From now on, it will not open automatically on startup.
Enjoy Seamless Sign-in to Windows 10
You can also disable Google Chrome from opening on startup behavior from the Registration menu, but we don’t recommend going this route. A single wrong setting can break essential functions on your computer. The above steps should be enough to fix the problem for you.
If Google Chrome is still bothering you, try Microsoft Edge browser on Windows 10. It goes head-to-head with what Google has to offer and even surpasses the fan-favorite browser in some areas.
Next: Having the same issue on Mac? Read the post below to learn how to do the top three ways to stop Google Chrome from opening at startup on Mac.
Support our work ❤️
If you enjoyed this article, consider leaving a tip to help us keep publishing great content.
