How can I prevent certain software from starting automatically with Windows?

Introduction

Removing unnecessary software from automatic startup can help improving system performance, reduce memory consumption, power consumption and fan noise or resolve stability or Standby issues.

How to check

Please follow these steps:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Alternative: Right-click on Windows Start Menu and select "Task Manager"
Click on the "Startup" tab.
Sort the list by "Status" by clicking on the "Status"column header.
Review the list of programs that are indicated as "Enabled"and identify software that is unknown, unclear or that is certainly not required every day at Windows startup.

To remove a program from Automatic Startup, right-click on it and select "Disable2.

How to make sure

Some programs will add themselves again to Automatic Startup the next time you run them manually. The more sustainable approach is to open the program in question and look through its options, settings or preferences pages for an option such as \"Start together with Windows" or "Run when my computer starts" or similar. Uncheck or disable that option.

Example: Epic Games Launcher

Screenshot: How to remove Epic Games Launcher from Automatic Startup.

Instructions:

Click on the round avatar icon in the top right corner. If you did not specify a custom avatar, the icon will show the first letter of your username.
Click on "Settings"
Remove the checkbox next to "Run when my computer starts"

When in doubt, uninstall

For the purpose of troubleshooting, it may also be good idea to fully uninstall any program that is suspected to cause performance, power consumption, standby or stability issues. Right click Windows Start Menu, select "Apps & Features" and find the program in the list of installed software. Uninstall it from there, using the software's own uninstallation assistant.