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Are you tired of waiting for your Mac to boot up because of apps that open on startup? Do you want to manage the apps that open on startup on your Mac? If yes, then you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we will discuss the challenge of managing apps that open on startup and the methods you can use to manage them.
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The Challenge of Managing Apps That Open on Startup Mac
Every time you restart your Mac, some apps open automatically which can be very handy if they are relevant to your work. However, if there are too many apps that open, this can slow down your Mac’s bootup time and clutter your desktop. This can be frustrating, especially when you need to work on your Mac urgently. Thankfully, there are ways to manage the apps that open on startup on your Mac.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we dive into the methods, there are a few things you should know and prepare before you manage the apps that open on startup on your Mac. Firstly, you should make a list of all the apps that you need to open automatically on startup. Secondly, you should also know the steps to delete the apps from the startup list. Lastly, you should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each method we discuss below.
Method 1: Using System Preferences
This is one of the easiest ways to manage apps that open on startup on your Mac. Here are detailed steps:
1. Click on the Apple icon on the top left corner of your screen.
2. Click on System Preferences from the dropdown menu.
3. Click on Users & Groups.
4. Click on the Login Items tab.
5. You’ll see a list of all the apps that open on startup.
6. To remove an app from the list, click on the app and then click on the minus (-) sign.
Pros:
– Easy to use
– Does not require any technical skills
– Built-in feature in Mac
Cons:
– You cannot disable or enable what you want to keep or remove while keeping the overall settings
Method 2: Using Terminal
This method is a bit technical, but it allows you to manage apps that open on startup quickly. Here are detailed steps:
1. Open Terminal from the Applications folder.
2. Type the following command:
"`
sudo nano /etc/rc.local
"`
3. Enter your admin password when prompted.
4. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the bottom of the script.
5. Type the following command for each app that you want to remove from the startup list:
"`
sudo -u yourusernameosascript -e ‘tell application "System Events" to delete login item "Application Name"‘
"`
Note: Replace ‘yourusername’ with your Mac username and ‘Application Name’ with the name of the app that you want to remove from the startup list.
6. Press Control + X to exit and save the script.
Pros:
– Quick and customizable
– Can enable and disable apps with more control than using the System Preferences method
Cons:
– Requires some technical skills
– Mistakes can lead to permanent damage to your system
Method 3: Using Third-Party Apps
There are many third-party apps available that allow you to manage the apps that open on startup. Here are detailed steps using the app called CleanMyMac X:
1. Download and install CleanMyMac X.
2. Open CleanMyMac X and click on the Optimization tab.
3. Click on the Login Items tab.
4. You’ll see a list of all the apps that open on startup.
5. To remove an app from the list, click on the app and then click on the minus (-) sign.
Pros:
– More customizable
– Can manage other aspects of the Mac, not just startup items
Cons:
– Requires installation of additional software
– May come with a fee
Why Can’t I Manage Apps That Open on Startup on my Mac
There are various reasons why you might not be able to manage the apps that open on startup on your Mac. Here are some of the common ones and their fixes:
– The app is a System app: Some apps are required to run on startup and are essential to the Mac’s operating system. In this case, you cannot remove them.
– The app is not in the startup list: If an app is still opening on startup but is not on the list of items that open on startup, it might be starting up using a different method. You should check the app preferences for a "Launch at startup" option and disable it.
– The app has a startup agent: Some apps use startup agents to run automatically on startup. To remove this app from the startup list, you’ll need to use Terminal and locate the startup agent.
Additional Tips
– Removing unnecessary apps from the startup list can improve your Mac’s overall performance.
– Always make a backup of your Mac before making any changes to it.
– Be aware of which apps are opening on startup, as this can be a security concern.
5 FAQs about Managing Apps That Open on Startup on Mac
Q1. How do I know which apps are opening on startup?
A1. You can check which apps are opening on startup by going to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items.
Q2. Why do some apps keep opening on startup even if I removed them?
A2. Some apps have their own startup agents or launch options that you need to disable to stop them from opening on startup.
Q3. Can I remove all apps from the startup list?
A3. No, you cannot remove some system apps from the startup list as they are required to operate Mac OS properly.
Q4. Can I add apps to the startup list?
A4. Yes, you can add apps to the startup list by going to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items and clicking on the plus (+) sign.
Q5. How often should I manage my Mac’s startup apps?
A5. You should check your Mac’s startup apps regularly to ensure that unnecessary apps are not slowing down your Mac’s bootup time.
In Conclusion
Managing apps that open on startup on your Mac can be a simple task if you know how to do it. In this blog post, we discussed three methods, namely using System Preferences, Terminal, and third-party apps. Always remember to back your Mac up before making any changes and be cautious while you do it.