If your Mac takes a long time to become usable after you log in, review what opens automatically and what runs in the background. In macOS, go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions. Note the items before changing anything, then disable only what you recognize and do not need at startup. This helps narrow down the cause; it cannot guarantee a faster startup.

Find the startup and background items

Open System Settings, select General in the sidebar, then Login Items & Extensions. You may need to scroll. In Open at Login, macOS lists apps, documents, folders, and connections that open when you log in. The Kind column identifies the type of each item. A yellow warning triangle means an item has been moved or deleted and will not open automatically. Apple documents these controls in Change Login Items & Extensions settings on Mac.

Review App Background Activity as a separate list. These apps may perform tasks while the app itself is not open, such as checking for updates or syncing. An app in this list may not launch a visible window, so removing a visible login app alone may not address the activity you are investigating.

Decide what to keep or remove

For each entry, ask whether you need it immediately after logging in. A messaging app you use every morning may be worth keeping; an installer helper or an app you rarely use may not need to open automatically. For background activity, consider whether its function matters when you are not using the app: disabling sync, update checks, or another background task can affect how that app works. Apple advises turning background access back on if an app stops working as expected.

If you are unsure what an unfamiliar item does, leave it enabled while you identify its associated app. Check the app’s own settings or documentation before changing it. Avoid removing items simply because their names are unfamiliar, especially if they appear related to a device, network connection, security tool, or work software. If this is a managed Mac, ask its administrator before changing organization-required software.

To remove an item from Open at Login, select it and click the Remove button. This stops it opening automatically; it does not uninstall the app. To change background access, switch the relevant app off under App Background Activity. Keep a short note of every change so you can reverse it if a needed feature stops working.

Test changes one at a time

Restart the Mac and observe how long it takes to reach a usable desktop. Then use the Mac as usual and check whether sync, notifications, device connections, or other expected features still work. If the startup feels unchanged, restore the item before testing another. This controlled approach makes it easier to tell which setting matters, and avoids leaving several changes in place without knowing their effects.

For a more direct test of login apps, Apple recommends making a list of the entries under Open at Login, removing them, and restarting. If the problem improves, add them back one at a time, restarting after each addition; remove the last item added when the issue returns. This process tests login items, not every kind of background activity. See Apple’s Remove login items to resolve startup problems on your Mac.

Check whether windows are reopening

Apps and windows restored from the previous session can look like startup apps. When restarting or shutting down, clear Reopen windows when logging back in in the confirmation dialog if you do not want those windows restored. In macOS Ventura or later, Apple also documents System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Close windows when quitting an application, which controls whether an app restores its previous windows when you reopen it. These settings address reopened windows, not the login items list. (Prevent apps and windows from reopening on Mac)

If an app keeps appearing but is absent from Open at Login, it may be reopening its own windows or may use other software to start. Check the app’s settings and documentation. Apple notes that software installed by the app can also cause it to open at login; consult the developer if the behavior remains unexplained.

If startup is still slow

Login items are only one possible cause. If the slowdown continues after a careful review, macOS Safe Mode can help determine whether software that loads during startup is involved. The startup steps depend on whether the Mac has Apple silicon or an Intel processor; Apple explains how to identify the model and enter Safe Mode in Start up your Mac in safe mode. Safe Mode is a diagnostic step, not proof that a particular login item caused the delay.

After your review, keep only the automatic launches and background tasks that fit how you use the Mac. If a change disrupts an app, restore its setting. If startup remains slow, continue troubleshooting beyond the login items list rather than disabling unfamiliar system components.

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