How to Toggle ‘Open at Computer Login’ in Signal Desktop

Steps to Toggle Open at Computer Login

You control this behavior from Signal’s own settings window, so you don’t need Task Manager 📊 or any other Windows startup tool. The setting is stored per Windows user account. Changing it on one account does not affect other people who use the same PC.

This guide also covers a second option, Minimize to system tray 🔔. With both options on, Signal starts at login and sits quietly in the background instead of opening a window in front of you.

2. If Signal is not already open, launch it from the Taskbar or Taskbar overflow.
3. Wait for the main window to load. You should see your conversation list.

If Signal is already running in the system tray 🔔, you can skip this. Open it from the tray icon instead.

3. With the app open, click File in the menu bar, then select Preferences.
4. If you prefer a shortcut, press CTRL + , (Ctrl and the comma key). You can also click the Settings (gear) icon in the bottom left corner.

Either way, the Preferences window should now open on top of your chats.

4. In the Preferences window, select General in the list on the left side.
5. Look at the right side and find the System section. The startup and tray options are listed there.

Signal updates its settings layout from time to time. If an option looks a little different from the name used here, look for the closest match inside the System section.

6. Find the Open at computer login checkbox.
7. Tick the box to make Signal start automatically when you sign in to Windows.
8. Clear the box to stop Signal from starting with the system.

The change is saved straight away. There is no Save or OK button to press. To undo it, come back to the same place and flip the checkbox again.

8. In the same System section, find the Minimize to system tray checkbox.
9. Tick it if you want Signal to run in the background without a visible window.

Without this option, Signal opens its full window every time it starts at login. That can be distracting if you only want it available when a message comes in.

Enabling Minimize to system tray makes Signal run quietly inside your Taskbar app overflow pane. The app stays active there and keeps receiving messages. Closing the window no longer quits the program.

On Windows 11 the Signal icon may be hidden behind the small arrow in the taskbar's notification area. To open the app again, click the icon. To quit it completely, right-click the icon and choose the quit option.

Troubleshooting Signal Startup Issues

If Signal does not launch at login even though Open at computer login is ticked, check your Windows startup settings. Work through these checks in order:

1. Open Settings › Apps › Startup and find Signal in the list. Make sure its switch is set to On. Windows can block an app from starting even when the app itself asks to.
2. Go back into Signal's Preferences and confirm the checkbox is still ticked. Untick it, tick it again, then sign out of Windows and back in.
3. If the PC is managed by your work or school, an administrator may restrict which apps can start at login. In that case, ask your IT team.

If Signal is starting but you don't see it, look in the system tray before assuming it failed. With Minimize to system tray on, the window stays hidden by design.

Summary

Startup preferences decide whether Signal launches in the background when you log in. Leave Open at computer login on if you want to receive messages right away. Turn it off if you want a faster, lighter startup and are happy to open Signal yourself. Combine it with Minimize to system tray for the least interruption, and revisit the setting whenever your needs change.