Ask Dave Taylor
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Videos
  • Most Popular
  • Top Categories
  • Books
  • About Dave
  • Ask Me
  • > Donate <
  • Home
  • Most Popular
  • Stop Skype Automatically Starting Up on Windows 10 Boot?

Stop Skype Automatically Starting Up on Windows 10 Boot?

September 7, 2015 / Dave Taylor / Most Popular, Windows 10 Help, Zoom, Skype & Video Chat Help / 55 Comments

I just updated to Windows 10 and it’s going well, except that Skype now wants to start up every time I boot the system, which is really annoying. How do I stop Skype from launching on system start?

Whether you’re on a Windows system or a Macintosh, there’s little more frustrating than the parade of apps that seem to start up every time you boot your computer. Worse, many of them are hidden behind-the-scenes, little “helper apps” that enable certain functions, listen for incoming queries, etc. For some, it’s almost impossible to figure out what they do and some of those might well be malware of some sort of another. It stinks!

Even benign programs like Skype, a very helpful video chat application, can exhibit the same sort of behaviors, starting up even if you don’t have an account and sitting on the Taskbar on your new Windows 10 system even if you never want to use the program. Any one program likely doesn’t have that much impact on your performance, but when you get 4, 5 or more starting up automatically, that’s going to have an impact on how your computer works.

Let’s just focus on your specific complaint, however. Skype automatically starting up on Microsoft Windows 10.

Start up your system and here’s what’ll be staring at you:

win10 skype starts boots launches automatically

Logically, it seems like one of the menus should offer up a “don’t launch on next restart” or similar, but there’s nothing like that. The closest you get is this:

Skype > Tools > Connection options...

Choose “Connection options…” though, and you’ll find that it offers some obscure settings, but nothing to disable that pesky autostart:

skype connection options when not logged in win10 windows 10

So that’s a dead end.

And now, the bad news: You can’t actually disable auto-start without having — and logging in — to your Skype account. I suppose you could create one, set Skype to not launch automatically, then delete the account, but it’s a strange and quite frankly annoying option!

If you have an account, log in. If you don’t, well, you’ll need to create one.

log in to skype win10

Now once you’re logged in, there are oodles of additional menu options and settings.

For this, you’ll want the “Tools” menu:

skype > tools > options... windows 10 win10

Finally! In “Options…” you’ll find what you seek:

stop skype auto starting loading launching

There it is, smack dab in the “General settings”: Start Skype when I start Windows.

Uncheck that box, click “Save” on the bottom, quit Skype and you shouldn’t have it bother you next time you start up your computer.

Let’s Stay In Touch!

Never miss a single article, review or tutorial here on AskDaveTaylor, sign up for my fun weekly newsletter!
Name: 
Your email address:*
Please enter all required fields
Correct invalid entries
No spam, ever. Promise. Powered by FeedBlitz
Please choose a color:
Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!
auto start, quit skype, skype, start on boot, start on launch

55 comments on “Stop Skype Automatically Starting Up on Windows 10 Boot?”

  1. Exador says:
    June 14, 2020 at 1:51 am

    Found this on another site and it worked for me, hope it helps someone.
    Press “Windows” + “I” to open settings.
    Click on Privacy and select “Background Apps”.
    Scroll down and turn the toggle off for Skype.

    Reply
  2. wayne says:
    March 19, 2019 at 10:35 am

    Try MSCONFIG in the search box. Then the Startup tab, that will take you to the Task Manager Find Skype in the startup section. Highlight, right click then disable. Works for all stuff I’ve used it for.

    Reply
  3. Steve says:
    January 22, 2019 at 2:24 pm

    Any clues on how to stop Skype for Business auto-starting? It does not appear in the startup list in Task Manager, completely ignores unchecking the relevant boxes in the options menu. It’s integrated into MS Office, so you can’t uninstall it! Aaargh!

    Reply
  4. Al says:
    December 20, 2018 at 9:14 am

    There is a way to stop Skype from starting. Uninstall the annoying WinCrap software.

    Reply
  5. Adam says:
    August 22, 2018 at 1:36 am

    Task manager can do it too.

    Reply
  6. rakesh botle says:
    August 17, 2018 at 2:50 pm

    That really cool as it really takes a lot of time on slower configuration desktop to load it up. thanks of good help

    Reply
  7. Sam Crowley says:
    August 6, 2018 at 7:09 pm

    I think you can also disable it from the task manger as well.

    Reply
  8. David says:
    May 17, 2018 at 11:21 am

    I think easiest way to stop this is just uninstall Skype. That’s what I did

    Reply
  9. Adam says:
    May 17, 2018 at 9:43 am

    Task manager is also an alternative method for disabling it.

    Reply
  10. SoftCroco says:
    February 1, 2018 at 5:48 am

    I think that you can also disable it from task manager 🙂

    Reply
  11. Ahmad says:
    August 16, 2017 at 9:34 am

    Thanks so much, it worked 😀

    Reply
    • Peter says:
      November 26, 2017 at 11:47 pm

      NOT FOR ME. I logged in, unticked the box, restarted computer, but SKYPE appeared again! I have tried several times to no avail. There has to be another solution! I am very pissed off about this and I also add that nothing microsoft has done since taking over Skype has enhanced it’s user – friendliness and reliability quite the opposite. They should have left it alone!
      Peter

      Reply
      • Claire says:
        May 31, 2018 at 11:44 am

        I PUT A PIECE OFTAPE OVER THE TOP EDGE OF MY COMPUTER SCREEN. Since I did that, SKYPE does not appear.

        Reply
        • Dave Taylor says:
          June 2, 2018 at 6:59 am

          An interesting approach, Claire, but one that makes no sense. 🙂

          Reply
  12. founded says:
    December 20, 2016 at 12:50 pm

    open powershell in admin mode and paste

    $app=”Microsoft.SkypeApp”
    Get-AppXProvisionedPackage -Online |
    where DisplayName -EQ $app |
    Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online

    Reply
    • Jamie says:
      June 15, 2017 at 5:43 pm

      Thank you! I am running Skype for Business in Office 365, and the turn off is actually under “Personal” instead of “General” but your article gave me hope and I kept looking until I found it.

      Reply
  13. Mike Holiday says:
    November 22, 2016 at 9:04 pm

    The question is NOT solved. This does not work as of 11/22/2016.

    Skype keeps changing its software. Skype wants to make it (very) hard for novices to opt out.

    (Windows 7 machine)

    Reply
  14. Michael Kelley says:
    October 26, 2016 at 9:46 am

    Here’s the issue — it’s not just the Windows application “Skype” but the Windows APP “Skype Preview”. This gets installed (and turned on) automagically when using Windows 10 (updated, at least).

    Go to the Windows app screen and remove it. You don’t need it (Skype is virusware, IMHO).

    Reply
  15. nunya biznes says:
    October 19, 2016 at 8:39 am

    With Skype deleted from Startup, it would still start up automatically every 5 or so times I started Windows 10. In the Task Manager (Ctl-Alt-Del), I clicked on the Services tab and found a Skype Updater that was set on Automatic. I left clicked, opened Services, found Skype Updater, left clicked, opened properties and selected Manual from the drop down list.
    Only time will tell, but I have a feeling that was what was causing the problem.

    Reply
    • Isobel says:
      December 7, 2016 at 10:55 pm

      Thanks, that’s really helped me! Now set to Manual from Automatic.
      Isobel M. Dec 2016

      Reply
  16. Karen NYC says:
    September 22, 2016 at 6:01 am

    I appreciate the info, but it didn’t work for me. I have an account and want to use Skype occasionally, but I hate having it cluttering up my taskbar when I’m not using it. When I logged in, the “launch on startup” button was not checked, so nothing to do there. Plus, it does not show up in the “startup” list in the Task Manager!

    And, now that I’m logged in, it won’t let me close the application without using the Task Manager (it appears as a current process, but not as a startup app). Maybe I’ll find an alternative to Skype, and then uninstall it.

    Reply
  17. LnM says:
    July 24, 2016 at 10:13 pm

    Thank you so much for this info. it worked perfectly! I didn’t know that Microsoft bought Skype.. It really annoys me when apps auto start or auto check my twitter, emails, etc. I HATE that I feel as if I am never signing out of my apps with Windows 10. I DO NOT want it to check my emails while I away, or twitter, or anything! I like to know I am signing in to the app. Otherwise, I do like Windows 10 and Edge. I know they are tracking anyways, so why make me fell even “more” uncomfortable?

    Reply
    • Patricia Watkins says:
      August 10, 2016 at 3:43 am

      I do have a Skype account, But I’m afraid your instructions don’t work. I can uncheck the box telling it to stop loading automatically at startup, but when I click on Save, it simply says, “Invalid port” and rechecks the port.

      Reply
      • Patricia Watkins says:
        August 10, 2016 at 3:45 am

        I meant “rechecks the box…

        Reply
      • Lyn says:
        August 11, 2016 at 12:42 pm

        Yes, that’s what happens to me too. I can’t turn off “Start Skype when I start Windows”.

        Reply
      • nan says:
        August 26, 2016 at 10:51 am

        that’s what happens for me too

        Reply
      • charlena says:
        December 22, 2016 at 10:24 am

        The same thing happens to me.

        Reply
      • Jason says:
        January 24, 2017 at 9:17 am

        Press Windows+R (Run), and type

        services.msc

        Scroll down to “Skype Updater” in the list, and right-click on it and choose “Properties.”

        Next to “Startup Type” click on the dropdown menu where it says “Automatic” and change it to “Manual” then click the “Apply” button.

        Reply
        • Ralph Scrivner says:
          February 1, 2017 at 5:40 pm

          nunya biznes
          OMG! Thank you so much! Your suggestion worked like a dream!
          All the other suggestions here including the “the option to the “launch on startup” button was not checked, so nothing to do there. Plus, it does not show up in the “startup” list in the Task Manager!'” was useless information as it did not work (stupid Skype program).
          Thank very much!

          Reply
        • Marcia says:
          April 23, 2018 at 8:03 am

          “Skype Updater” is not in my Services list. I’ve unchecked the box Dave mentioned and disabled the Startup entry in Task Manager. NOTHING WORKS!

          Reply
  18. thepinkcrow says:
    July 21, 2016 at 10:37 am

    Thank you, Dave!!! Just the help I was looking for!

    Reply
  19. Casta says:
    July 5, 2016 at 4:24 am

    So you are telling me that if I don’t have a Skype account, I need to create one just so I can stop Skype from running. Seems counter-intuitive. Plus Microsoft Skype isn’t a process you can close(mine reappears as soon as a close it). So Skype will start whenever it likes and there is jack you can do about it cause it’s a Microsoft product.

    Reply
    • Dan P says:
      October 25, 2016 at 7:37 pm

      Here you go bud… Skype support shows you how to fix the issue without creating an account or uninstalling skype for business. Super easy. It is useless to create an account just to delete it.

      https://support.office.com/en-us/article/How-to-uninstall-Skype-for-Business-28c4a036-7f22-406c-b7f4-87894cbaf902?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US#bkmk_stopskype

      Reply
  20. John says:
    June 28, 2016 at 2:24 pm

    Thank you – very much appreciated

    Reply
  21. Bhanu says:
    May 30, 2016 at 5:14 am

    You are AWESOME! Thank you very much! This was so annoying! God bless!

    Reply
  22. MichelleKGross says:
    April 13, 2016 at 5:32 pm

    This worked for me.
    Ctrl-Alt-Delete to bring up a few choices and select “Task Manager.” You’ll see seven tabs at the top of a pop-up window. Click on the tab that says Startup, then scroll down for Skype. Click on the Skype entry to highlight it. At the lower-left of your pop-up window is a button that toggles back and forth between Enable and Disable.

    I logged out and back in and the Skype entry in Startup remained Disabled. No more unwanted Skype!

    Reply
    • Indy says:
      April 17, 2016 at 1:23 pm

      Thank You!!! Ridiculous recommendation above to create account then disable it. That supports Skype objective to get more people to open accounts with this involuntary opening at startup.

      Reply
      • Glenn R. says:
        April 28, 2016 at 1:00 pm

        Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU!!!!
        This worked for me also as I have been in auto-launch hell of this application. Followed the steps also and it was successful.

        Reply
    • das says:
      May 4, 2016 at 5:23 pm

      >Click on the tab that says Startup
      ?

      My startup tab message says ‘ no start up items to display’ !
      I am using windows 10 and skype starts up automatically. I dont want that.
      What the article says is accurate. For me I have to login to skype and disable it.

      Thanks to Dave Taylor for the great article 🙂

      Reply
    • GreggBuck says:
      May 11, 2016 at 7:21 am

      Windows 10: Settings>System>Apps and features. Click on skype and uninstall.

      Reply
    • Reg Barrington says:
      July 25, 2016 at 8:28 pm

      Control Panel -> Uninstall

      Reply
  23. Cyndi says:
    March 29, 2016 at 9:47 am

    Thanks, Dave! I’ve been going through a Win10 transition kicking & screaming, so searching on various issues to get Win10 working the way I want. Yours was one of the most clear and to the point issue resolutions I’ve found. I was laughing when you walked through the “where you would expect to be disabled” since I had just tried those steps. Many thanks!

    Reply
  24. William Defagne says:
    February 19, 2016 at 2:42 pm

    thanks Dave, The solution worked for me.

    william

    Reply
  25. Barbara says:
    February 17, 2016 at 3:18 pm

    Dave, it does not work? Will not remove it

    Reply
  26. Imran Anwar says:
    January 14, 2016 at 1:29 am

    Typical Microsoft, you have to launch and login to an application you do not want to use or startup to tell it not to startup.

    Imran

    Disclaimer: I worked there for 3 years, and the company is better in some ways than the solo evil empire (now with Google and Apple keeping Microsoft company in doing evil things) but this kind of deliberately invasive UX is still in the DNA of many people there. And Apple is sadly becoming more like it every day.

    Reply
  27. Brad says:
    December 27, 2015 at 1:48 pm

    Thanks for the clear and concise instructions. A problem I searched where someone actually could fix the issue easily! Kudos!

    Now if I could just get my HP ProBook from notifying me every 1/2 our that my recovery drive is full!

    Thanks again!

    Brad

    Reply
  28. Philipp says:
    October 18, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    I would like Skype to start with Windows 10, however it always starts maximized. Anyway for it to start hidden in the taskbar?

    Reply
  29. David C says:
    September 11, 2015 at 9:13 am

    I simply uninstalled Skype to resolve the issue

    Reply
  30. Ted says:
    September 10, 2015 at 4:17 pm

    Wouldn’t it be much easier to start “Task Manager” (Alt+Ctrl+Del) go to the start up tab and disable Skype?

    Reply
    • Dave Taylor says:
      September 10, 2015 at 10:18 pm

      Ted, that’ll work once. But if Skype wants to restart itself, I worry it’d still come back. Like a bad poltergeist. 🙂

      Reply
  31. rocketride says:
    September 10, 2015 at 9:40 am

    So, what it amounts to is that since Skype automatically starts on some systems, and cannot be reliably made to not do so without opening a Skype account, that MS has figured a way to make people who don’t necessarily want them set up accounts. . .

    Reply
    • Dave Taylor says:
      September 10, 2015 at 10:19 pm

      You’re exactly right. It’s ridiculous that you have to set up an account to be able to disable auto-start from within Skype!

      Reply
    • George says:
      October 13, 2017 at 3:51 am

      Nahh you should also be able to disable it from the task manager.

      Reply
  32. Jo says:
    September 7, 2015 at 3:17 pm

    How about the “Task Manager”? It looks like you can disable any app that starts. Alt+Ctrl+del Then Task Manager then startup then select Skype then disable.

    Reply
    • Dave Taylor says:
      September 7, 2015 at 3:23 pm

      If Skype wants to start up automatically, it might just show up again, Jo.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Recent Posts

  • Can I Have Microsoft Edge Suggest Strong Passwords?
  • How Can I Password Protect Tax Forms Sent Via Email?
  • Easy Way to Add Emoji to Tweets from a Web Browser?
  • How Do You Post Multiple Photos in Instagram?
  • How Can I Change the Default Search Engine in Google Chrome to Microsoft Bing?

On Our YouTube Channel

DIGDIY BUDGET ANC TWS Earbuds [D10WH] -- REVIEW

Rush Charge Hinged Smartphone Battery Stand -- UNBOXING & REVIEW

Categories

  • AdSense, AdWords and PPC Help (106)
  • Amazon Echo & Kindle Help (79)
  • Amazon, eBay and Online Shopping Help (157)
  • Android Help (158)
  • Apple Watch Help (49)
  • Articles, Tutorials and Reviews (326)
  • Business Advice (191)
  • Computer and Internet Basics (714)
  • d) None of the Above (160)
  • Facebook Help (364)
  • Google & Gmail Help (154)
  • HTML and Web Design (243)
  • Instagram Help (43)
  • iPad Help (136)
  • iPhone Help (570)
  • LinkedIn Help (79)
  • Linux Help (147)
  • Linux Shell Script Programming (86)
  • Mac & MacOS Help (830)
  • Most Popular (10)
  • MP3 Player Help (181)
  • Outlook & Office 365 Help (9)
  • PayPal Help (68)
  • Pinterest Help (53)
  • Reddit Help (11)
  • SEO & Marketing (80)
  • Spam, Scams & Security (82)
  • Trade Show Updates (23)
  • Twitter Help (212)
  • Video Game Tips (66)
  • Web Site Traffic Tips (62)
  • Windows 10 Help (825)
  • Wordpress Help (201)
  • Writing and Publishing (72)
  • YouTube Help (43)
  • YouTube Video Reviews (159)
  • Zoom, Skype & Video Chat Help (40)

Archives

Social Connections:

Ask Dave Taylor


Follow Me on Pinterest
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Instagram


AskDaveTaylor on Facebook



microsoft insider mvp


This web site is for the purpose of disseminating information for educational purposes, free of charge, for the benefit of all visitors. We take great care to provide quality information. However, we do not guarantee, and accept no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained on this site or on any linked site. Further, please note that by submitting a question or comment you're agreeing to our terms of service, which are: you relinquish any subsequent rights of ownership to your material by submitting it on this site. Our lawyer says "Thanks for your cooperation."
© 2020 by Dave Taylor. "Ask Dave Taylor®" is a registered trademark of Intuitive Systems, LLC.
Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions - Accessibility Policy