How to stop Teams from starting automatically on Windows startup

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to stop Teams from starting automatically on Windows startup. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Microsoft Teams can be set to launch automatically every time you sign in to Windows, which can slow down your boot time and keep the app running in the background even when you are not using it. Disabling this behaviour is straightforward and only takes a minute. Follow the steps below to stop Teams from starting automatically on your Windows device.

Quick Fix Steps

If you are short on time, these are the essential steps. Detailed instructions follow further down.

1. Open Teams and click the three-dot menu in the top right of the window.
2. Select Settings.
3. Go to the General tab.
4. Switch off Auto-start Teams.
5. Close the Settings window. The change is saved automatically.

Detailed Instructions

Method 1: Disable Auto-start from Within Teams

This is the recommended approach, as it uses the built-in Teams setting.

1. Open Microsoft Teams.
2. Click the three-dot menu (...) located in the top right of the window.
3. Choose Settings from the menu.
4. In the left-hand pane, select General.
5. Scroll down to find the option labelled Auto-start Teams and switch it off. Depending on your Teams version, this may be under an Application or System section.
6. Close the Settings window. The change is saved automatically.

Method 2: Disable Auto-start from Windows Settings

Use this method if you cannot access the Teams settings, or if the option is greyed out.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Click Apps.
3. Select Startup from the left-hand menu.
4. Scroll down the list of startup apps until you find Microsoft Teams.
5. Toggle the switch next to Microsoft Teams to Off.

Method 3: Disable Auto-start from Task Manager

Task Manager provides another reliable way to manage startup applications.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Task Manager.
2. If Task Manager opens in compact view, click More details at the bottom.
3. Click the Startup apps tab.
4. Locate Microsoft Teams in the list.
5. Select it, then click the Disable button.

Troubleshooting

Teams Still Starts Automatically

If Teams continues to launch at sign-in after you have disabled the setting, try the following:

• Check for multiple Teams installations. You may have both the classic Teams and the new Teams installed. Repeat the steps above for each entry you find in Settings > Apps > Startup.
• Check the Teams web client. If you use Teams in a browser, it will not be affected by these settings.
• Sign out and back in. Sometimes Windows requires a fresh sign-in to apply startup changes. Click Start > Power > Sign out, then sign back in.
• Restart your computer fully. A full shutdown and restart (not just Sleep or Hibernate) ensures the change takes effect.

You Cannot Find the Auto-start Setting

If the toggle is missing or greyed out, your workplace may be controlling this setting through a managed policy. This is common on company-managed devices. In this situation, you will need to speak with your IT administrator, or open a ticket with our support team for further assistance.

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