How to Stop Spotify from Starting Automatically on Windows 11
Spotify opening automatically on your Windows 11 PC makes your computer boot up slower and wastes system memory in the background. The app sets itself to launch the moment you turn on your machine during installation.
Stopping this behavior lets you speed up startup times and keep your desktop clean. You can turn off auto-launch in under a minute through either the Spotify settings menu or the Windows 11 Task Manager .
Open Spotify, go to Edit Preferences Show Advanced Settings Under “Startup and windows behavior,” change “Open Spotify automatically after you log into the computer” to No. Alternatively, disable Spotify in Windows Task Manager ’s Startup tab.
Method 1Change Spotify Settings
To stop Spotify from starting automatically on Windows 11, change a setting within the Spotify app. Launch Spotify from your Start menu or desktop icon, then click the three dots (…) in the top-left corner.
- Open Spotify from your Start menu or desktop icon.
- Click the three dots (…) in the top-left corner.
- Go to Edit > Preferences.
Select Edit Preferences and scroll to the bottom of the page.
Click Show Advanced Settings, locate the Startup and windows behavior section, and change "Open Spotify automatically after you log into the computer" to No.
Method 2Use Task Manager
Spotify auto start can also be disabled using a built-in Windows tool. After opening Task Manager, a startup tab lets you control which apps launch when your computer turns on, including Spotify.
- Click the Start button and type "Task Manager."
- Select the Task Manager app from the list.
The Startup tab inside Windows Task Manager (a built-in tool for managing running applications and background programs) handles this instead. Open Task Manager and select the Startup tab. If the tab isn't immediately visible, click 'More details' at the bottom of the window to show all tabs.
Find Spotify in the list. Right-click it and select Disable.
Summary
This guide has covered two methods for preventing Spotify from launching automatically on your PC.
How to stop Spotify from opening automatically on startup?
If Spotify appears in the list of startup applications, ensure it's turned off to disable its automatic launch.
How to make Spotify stop automatically launching on iPhone?
If you are looking to stop Spotify from opening automatically on an iPhone, head to Settings and Privacy, select Playback, and navigate to the listening section.
Why does Spotify keep randomly starting?
Possible reasons for Spotify randomly starting include connected third-party services (like Spotify Premium Plan/Spotify Premium Access) or Smart Shuffle being enabled. Ensure these are checked and disabled if necessary.
How to disable Spotify auto start in car?
When connecting to Android Auto, Spotify should stop playing automatically.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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