How to Stop Spotify from Opening on Startup on your Mac & Windows 10

Last updated on January 25th, 2025 at 8:48 am

Spotify is a leading music service provider that can offer an unlimited supply of legal music catalogs and online tracks. Unfortunately, it has one flaw — Spotify automatically starts when you fire up your Mac or Windows 10. 

By default, Spotify is programmed to start with your computer. It is a nice feature for hardcore music lovers but equally annoying for others. 

If you want to stop Spotify from opening on startup, you have multiple ways to do that on Mac and Windows. So, let’s stop your Spotify app from annoying you.

2 Ways to Stop Spotify from Opening on Startup on Mac

Use these solutions:

Using System Preferences 

Apple lets users take control over all items through the System Preferences. Using this setting, you can stop Spotify from opening on startup on Mac:

  • Go to the Apple menu located in the upper left corner and navigate to System Preferences. You can also use the Command + Space keys together and search for System Preferences through it. 
  • Using the System Preferences, go to the Users & Groups option. Select the Login Items tab from the right pane.
System Preferences
  • Now, you will view all the apps that open automatically on your Mac. To alter settings, click on the Lock icon at the bottom left corner and insert your admin password.
  • Once you find Spotify on the list, select the checkbox under the Hide menu to hide it. And, to remove the app, choose the ‘-‘ button at the bottom. Now, Spotify won’t start when you log in to your Mac.
hide menu

Disabling Open at Login from the Dock

Apple offers access to several options from the Dock like Quit, Show All Windows, Force Quit, etc. To stop Spotify from opening on startup, click on the app icon from the app’s Dock. You can use your two-fingers or the right-click to do so.

Disabling Open at Login from the Dock

Next, a small floating menu will appear. Click on the Options. A submenu will appear with three options — Keep in Dock, Open at login and Show in Finder. Simply uncheck the Open at Login option, and Spotify won’t bug you anymore. 

2 Ways to Stop Spotify from Opening on Startup on Windows 10

Windows 10 users can stop Spotify from opening on startup and consuming their time with the help of the following methods:

Enable from the Startup Menu

Once you log into your Windows 10 after the OS boots, the system will automatically load some programs in the background. You can disable these programs from the Windows Startup menu using the following steps:

  • Open Run menu with Windows + R keys command.
run menu
  • Next, type shell:startup in the Run search box. It will show all the programs running during the Windows startup. 
  • Navigate for Spotify in the list. Once you found it, right-click on it and select delete from the contextual menu. That’s it, and your job is done. 
contextual menu

Through the Task Manager 

From Windows Task Manager, you can manage all your apps with one click as:

  • Click on the Windows button and navigate for Task Manager. Another way, you can use the Run menu to search for the Task Manager.
Task Manager
  • You can see several tabs on the Task Manager tab — App History, Startup Users, Details, Process, Performance, and Services.
 Startup Details
  • Click open the Startup tab and look for Spotify from the apps list.
Startup tab
  • Once you located Spotify, right-click on it and choose to disable it from the floating menu. 
disable spotify

2 Ways to Stop Spotify from Opening on Startup on Mac and Windows 10

There are two other ways to stop Spotify from opening on startup both Mac and Windows 10:

Directly from the Spotify App 

Spotify provides the option to change the ‘launch at startup’ feature from the app settings. The app has similar user interfaces on both Windows and Mac. 

  • Go to the Spotify app on your computer. 
  • Open the drop-down menu located beside the profile icon and select Settings. Or, you can use the Command + Space key shortcut on Mac to open the Spotify Settings.
Spotify preferences
  • Scroll down to the bottom and click on the Show Advanced Settings.
spotify Advanced Settings
  • This option will open several other Spotify options. 
  • Hover to the ‘Startup and Windows Behaviour’ option. There you will find the ‘Open Spotify automatically after you log into the computer’ heading. Click on the drop-down menu and change behavior to No, and you are done!
Startup and Windows Behaviour

Third-party Cleaning or Uninstalling Software 

There are plenty of different cleaning and uninstalling software available for Mac and Windows that can help you manage login apps. Additionally, some startup time boosters can help in disabling unwanted startup services. If you want to enable other apps along with Spotify, you can get these third-party tools. 

Bottom Line 

More automatic startup apps are equal to increased startup time. So, if you don’t want to use Spotify every time you log in, it’s better to stop it from opening on startup. 

You can use our expert-certified six awesome steps to stop Spotify from opening on startup on Mac and Windows 10. However, for further guidance, comment below, and if you like our post, we don’t mind a few words of encouragement

Author Bio:

Dinesh Lakhwani

Dinesh Lakhwani, the entrepreneurial brain behind “TechCommuters,” achieved big things in the tech world. He started the company to make smart and user-friendly tech solutions. Thanks to his sharp thinking, focus on quality and the motto of never giving up, TechCommuters became a top player in the industry. His commitment to excellence has propelled the company to a leading position in the industry.

Popular Post

Recent Post

CCleaner Duplicate File Finder: Key Features, Pricing, Step-by-Step Guide and More

By Dinesh Lakhwani / July 7, 2026

Every computer collects junk over time. Right? Well, yes! Photos often get copied twice. Documents get saved in two folders by mistake. Old downloads pile up and never get deleted. This slowly eats up your storage space, and most people do not even notice until their drive is almost full. That is where a duplicate […]

Duplicate File Finder Pro: A Complete Review, Everything You Should Know

By Dinesh Lakhwani / July 4, 2026

Computers collect thousands of files over time. Well, yes! Many of them end up being duplicates created by backups, downloads, or accidental copies. These extra files take up valuable storage space and make it harder to keep everything organized. Finding and removing them manually can take hours. Right? Duplicate File Finder Pro is a tool […]

Monitor Screen Calibration Guide: Everything You Should Know

By Dinesh Lakhwani / June 30, 2026

Your monitor shows colors every single day. But are those colors actually correct? Most people never stop to check this. They just use the screen as it comes out of the box. This habit can lead to wrong colors in photos, videos, and work files. Colors may look too warm or too cold without you […]

How To Check Installed RAM and RAM Slots [Complete Guide]

By Dinesh Lakhwani / June 26, 2026

RAM plays an important role in how smoothly a computer runs. Short for Random Access Memory, it stores the data and instructions that Windows and active applications need at any given moment. From opening multiple browser tabs to running games and productivity software, RAM helps keep everything responsive. A system with limited memory may experience […]

What is Microsoft Autopilot Everything You Need To Know

By Dinesh Lakhwani / June 21, 2026

Technology has changed the way companies manage computers. Well, yes! Employees now work from offices, homes, and remote locations. Setting up devices manually for every worker takes time and effort. It can also create mistakes that slow down productivity. This is where Microsoft Autopilot becomes useful. It helps businesses prepare and deploy Windows devices with […]

Enable Automatic Device Locking Feature Windows: Complete Guide

By Dinesh Lakhwani / June 19, 2026

Introduction: Your computer stores important information such as emails, documents, passwords, and personal photos. Leaving it unlocked can put that data at risk. Thankfully, Windows includes built-in features that can automatically lock your device when you are away. Setting up automatic device locking is quick and does not require any extra software. In this guide, […]

How to Update Wireless Network Driver in Windows 11 and 10

By Dinesh Lakhwani / June 17, 2026

Your Wi-Fi keeps dropping. Pages load slowly. The connection feels unstable? Well, you are not alone. Most of the time, the problem is not with your internet plan. It is with your wireless network driver. A driver is a small piece of software that helps your computer talk to its hardware. When it gets outdated, […]

Common Windows 11 Problems and Solutions (2026 Version)

By Dinesh Lakhwani / June 14, 2026

Windows 11 has become more polished over the years, but it is still not completely free from problems. Even after regular updates from Microsoft, many users continue to face issues like lagging performance, failed updates, audio troubles, random crashes, and network errors. Some problems appear after installing new features, while others develop gradually as the […]

Fortect Driver Updater Review: Features, Steps, Pros, and Cons.

By Dinesh Lakhwani / June 10, 2026

A new PC usually feels quick and responsive. Applications open instantly, games run smoothly, and everything works as expected. As time passes, however, you may notice slower performance, system crashes, hardware glitches, or devices that stop working properly. While many people assume malware or low storage space is to blame, outdated drivers are often the […]

New Features Coming in Windows 11 This Year [2026]

By Dinesh Lakhwani / June 8, 2026

Microsoft is always working to make Windows better. This year is no exception. The company has announced and rolled out several exciting updates for its users. These updates touch almost every part of the operating system. From the Start menu to system settings, changes are arriving fast. If you use Windows daily, you will want […]