How to Stop Spotify from Starting Up Automatically on Windows & Mac

Chances are you've noticed that after your computer starts up, some of programs installed on your computer open and run automatically. For some users, it would be a convenient behavior; but for some one, excessive startup can greatly discount the efficiency of the computer with severe restriction of the operation.

If you have the Spotify app installed to your computer, you would encounter this problem that Spotify will be automatically loaded every time you startup your computer. This is a default setting but it can easily be changed within the Spotify itself or on your computer's setting. In this post, we'll share you several ways to stop Spotify from opening on startup.

Part 1. How to Stop Spotify from Starting Up Automatically

There are several ways to stop Spotify from running automatically when you log into your computer. The following ways are available for both Mac and Windows users. Just fix the issue with a few steps.

WARNING: We don't suggest to change the advanced security settings in the SpotifyStartup Task Properties to "Remove all inherited permissions from this object".

Solution 1: Don't Allow Spotify Open Automatically in Settings

Both Mac and Windows users can stop Spotify from starting up automatically on the computer device by adjusting the related setting - "Open Spotify automatically after you log into the computer" on the Spotify app. Pick up the device to see how to make it work for you. Ensure you are using the latest version of the Spotify desktop app to access this setting.

For Windows/Mac:

Step 1. On Windows or Mac, open the Spotify app.

Step 2. On the Spotify desktop app, click the Chevron down icon > Settings. For Windows, click the More button (3 dots) > Edit > Preferences to open up the Settings menu.

Step 3. Scroll to Startup and window behaviour.

Step 4. Select No in the drop-down menu next to the "Open Spotify automatically after you log into the computer". You can also turn on or off the "Close button should minimize the Spotify window" option here to make a difference.

Step 5. Now when you log in to the computer, the Spotify app won't start up automatically.

Solution 2: Disable Spotify for Startup in Task Manger/System Preferences

There is a Task Manager on the Windows computer where you can manage all installed applications and services. In this program, Windows users can browse to the list of applications and services that are scheduled to run on the startup. If the Spotify setting won't work for you or you fail to access this setting, this solution can also help.

Tips: You may need to repeat the steps to open the Spotify app for Windows > Settings > Startup and window behaviour > Open Spotify automatically after you log into the computer, but to select Yes instead in the drop-down menu.

For Windows:

Step 1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open the Task Manager with a keyboard shortcut. Or right-click the Windows taskbar > Task Manager.

Step 2. Select the Startup tab on the top of the Task Manager window.

Step 3. In the Apps list, scroll to Spotify. The status of Spotify is Enabled at this time.

Please note: If you has selected "No" for the "Open Spotify automatically after you log into the computer" option in the Spotify app, it's possible you won't see "Spotify" in the Startup tab.

Step 4. Select Spotify.

Step 5. Select Disable. The status of Spotify is Disabled now.

For Mac:

Similar to Task Manager on the Windows computer, Apple allows all Mac users to remove applications from opening automatically on startup in System Preference. Here are the steps to hide Spotify from automatic opening by using the Settings menu.

Step 1. Launch System Preferences on your Mac computer.

Step 2. Find and select Use & Groups from the System Preference menu.

Step 3. Select the Login Items from the option at the top.

Step 4. Click on the "+" button at the bottom of the page and enter your admin password to proceed.

Step 5. Find the Spotify app on the list and select the "－" button at the bottom to remove it.

Solution 3: Disable Startup for Spotify in Start Menu

Except for stopping Spotify from running on startup by using Task Manager, you could also disable it from the Windows Startup menu. Follow the below steps to remove Spotify from the startup on Windows.

For Windows:

Step 1. Press Start+R to open the Run app with a keyboard shortcut. Or from the Windows Search Box, search for "run" to open up the Run app.

Step 2. Open: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. Hit enter or click the OK button.

Step 3. Ensure the Spotify shortcut is listed here. If there's the Spotify shortcut displayed like this, right-click on the Spotify shortcut > Delete.

Solution 4: Disable Startup for Spotify in Apps Dock

If you are a Mac user, you could see lots of program in Dock. Apple allows you to access several options such as Quit, Hide and more from the application in Dock. If Spotify app is kept in Dock, you could try to change the option to fix this issue.

Step 1. Right-click on the Spotify icon by using a mouse or a two-finger click.

Step 2. Choose Options from the small floating menu.

Step 3. Uncheck Open at Login to disable Spotify automatic opening on Mac.

Bonus Tip: How to Download Spotify Music Song without Premium

In today's media-driven world, music streaming has become a hot market and Spotify is one of the leading names in that market. For users, probably the best and simplest aspect of Spotify is that it's free. However, the free version of Spotify is ad-supported much like a radio station. So, if you are a free user, you cannot enjoy lots of additional features for premium users.

For example, you are not able to download your favorite tracks from Spotify for offline listening. But with the help of ViWizard Spotify Music Converter, you can download music from Spotify without subscribing to Premium Plan on Spotify. What's more, you can rip mp3 from Spotify or other plain formats. Let's have a look at the main features of ViWizard Spotify Music Converter below.

Main Features of ViWizard Spotify Music Converter

• Convert Spotify music tracks to MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV, M4A, and M4B
• Download Spotify songs, albums, artists, and playlist without premium
• Get rid of all digital rights management protection and ads from Spotify
• Support the playback of Spotify music on any devices and media players

2,000,000+Downloads

Download Download

Step 1Add Spotify Music to ViWizard Main Home

After launching ViWizard Spotify Converter, it will load Spotify app automatically on your computer. Then log into your Spotify account and browse the store to find out the songs or playlists you want to download. You can choose to drag them to ViWizard interface or copy the link of Spotify music to the search box on ViWizard interface.

Step 2Set Output Audio Format and Parameters

Once the Spotify songs and playlists are imported successfully, navigate to Menu > Preference > Convert where you can select the output format. It currently supports AAC, M4A, MP3, M4B, FLAC and WAV as output audio format. You are also allowed to customize the output audio quality, including audio channel, bit rate, and sample rate.

Step 3Begin to Download Spotify Music to MP3

Now click the Convert button at the bottom right and you will let the program begin to download Spotify tracks as you wish. Once done, you can find the converted Spotify songs in the converted list by clicking the Converted icon. You could also locate to your specified downloads folder to browse all the lossless Spotify music files.

Adam Gorden is an experienced writer of ViWizard who is obsessed about tech, movie and software.