How to stop Skype from starting automatically

Skype usually starts automatically when your computer turns on. If you don’t need the App every time you boot the PC, follow the instructions below to see how to prevent Skype from starting automatically.

• Option 1 – Disable Skype from the Startup tab
• Option 2 – Turn off Skype background app functionality

Option 1 – Disable Skype from the Startup tab

• Stop Skype from starting automatically on a Windows 10 PC
• Stop Skype from starting automatically on a Windows 7/8 PC

Stop Skype from starting automatically on a Windows 10 PC

If you’re on Windows 10, follow the instructions to prevent Skype from running at startup:

1. On your keyboard, press the Ctrl, Shift, and Esc keys at the same time to open Task Manager.
2. Click the Startup tab.
3. Right-click Skype and select Disable.
4. Restart your computer to check if Skype starts automatically.

Stop Skype from starting automatically on a Windows 7/8 PC

If you’re on Windows 7 or 8, here’s how to disable Skype from auto-startups:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time.
2. Type msconfig and press Enter,
3. Click the Startup tab.
4. Uncheck Skype and click Apply then OK.
5. Click Restart.

Option 2 – Turn off Skype background app functionality

If you’re using the new Microsoft Skype for Windows 10 (Skype UWP), you’re not likely to find it on the Startup tab. Skype UWP runs automatically when your PC boots if you don’t sign out your account before closing your computer.

If you don’t want to log out Skype each time you turn off the computer, you can turn off the background app functionality for the app. Here’s how to do it:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and type background apps, then select Background apps.
2. Toggle off the button next to Skype.
3. Restart your computer to see if Skype is disabled from auto-startups.

Hopefully, this post helped. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

By Ellie Zhuang

Ellie has been writing about technology since 2019. Her early passion for adventure novels, games, and videos fueled a deep curiosity for solving real-world puzzles.

Writing gives her a chance to nourish this curiosity, allowing her to delve deep into the vast depths of the internet, emerging with treasure troves of information and then sharing her findings with people who need the information to solve their everyday challenges.

Her innate problem-solving nature keeps her on a perpetual quest for tech solutions, online shopping tips, and life hacks that sprinkle a bit of magic into our daily routines. At Super Easy, she has been crafting how-tos, guides, and product roundups, making both our professional and personal lives a whole lot simpler.

Apart from writing, she's also a talent scout, on a mission to unearth hidden gems of creativity by recruiting new writers for the team. On top of that, she takes on the role of managing communications with our valued partners.

When she's not weaving words, you'll find her enjoying sitcom marathons, exploring virtual reality adventures on her Quest 2, and unleashing her culinary creativity in the kitchen. It's all part of her quest to make life more enjoyable, both on and offline.

Certificate(s):

View all of Ellie Zhuang's posts.