Qotd

Many Mac Apps launch automatically. This can be annoying for two reasons, with the first being that you might not want to use the apps every time you start-up your computer (a likely scenario) and the second the slightly more annoying fact that loading a multitude of programmes simultaneously will inevitably slow your computers start-up speed.

Some software you may want to launch automatically. For example, Safari – after all you’re likely to be using it each time you go on your computer. But you probably could do without launching iTunes every time you connect your iPhone.

Couple this with Mac’s Resume Feature- which re-launches all the apps you left running when you shut your computer down- and you could end up with a wealth of unwanted and unneeded apps launching every time you fire up your computer.

The good thing is you can control what does and doesn’t launch when you start-up your computer and by minimising the amount you launch you can enjoy a speedier start-up time.

So here’s how to control which apps your Mac launches at start-up:

-Access the Apple Menu -> Select System Preferences -> Select the Users & Groups icon under System Heading -> Select a User -> Select Login Items

From here you can see a list of everything your Mac is launching during start-up. At the bottom of this window you will see a plus and a minus sign: “+” & “-.” To remove an item from the list simply select it and then click the minus sign.

This will then remove said item from the Login Items list.

If you’re unsure what an item is on the Login Items list don’t just delete it- often apps that are launched at start-up can be critical to the running of external devices- so if you don’t know what something is Google it.

How to Stop Resume Re-launching Apps

I find resume to be useful. But there are plenty who have shut down their device because they no longer need what they previously had open.

If you’re one such person, you can stop Resume re-launching by following these steps:

Shut down or Restart your computer from the Apple Menu -> When the dialogue box appears uncheck the box which reads: ‘Reopen windows when logging back in.

And there you have it, now only the items ticked on your Login Items list will launch during start-up.