Spotify is a music streaming platform that lets you stream music right from your devices. This service offers a desktop app for Windows users as well. Unfortunately, a lot of Windows users are facing issues with the Spotify app. The Spotify app keeps starting itself on every startup of Windows.
This would have been normal behavior because a lot of apps nowadays comes with a setting that allows them to start at the start of Windows, and this option is turned on by default. But, in this case, users are noticing that the Spotify app always starts at the startup of Windows even if they have turned off the auto-start option from the app.
What causes the Spotify app to Open at Startup?
Here is a list of things that can cause the Spotify app to open at the startup.
- Spotify app settings: The first and the most common thing that causes this is the Spotify settings. A lot of the users aren’t even familiar with this option in the Spotify app and since it is turned on by default, a lot of users are seeing the app turn on by itself at every startup. And even if you want to turn the auto-start option off, this option is well-hidden so it makes it really hard for not-so-tech-savvy users to turn it off.
- Windows Update: The latest Windows updates can also cause this issue. There is a feature in the Windows that reopens the applications that were open on the last shut down. So, even if your auto-start option is turned off, the Spotify app will start on the next startup if you had the Spotify app open at the shutdown time.
Note:
Make sure that the Spotify app is closed before you shut down your computer. This will help you narrow down the issue that might be causing this. If the app doesn’t automatically start on the next startup then that means the issue was caused by the Windows feature.
Method 1: Disable Auto-Start from Spotify App
This is the first thing on your to-do list in the process of getting rid of the Spotify auto-start issue. There is an option that lets the Spotify app to auto-start on every startup. Turning it off might solve the issue for you. If you have already disabled this option then move to the next method. Otherwise, follow the steps given below.
- Open the Spotify App
- Click the downwards arrow beside your picture and select You can also hold the CTRL key and press P to open these settings
- Select Advanced Settings
- You should be able to see an option named Open Spotify automatically when you log in to the computer. It should be under Startup and Windows Behavior. Select No from the drop-down menu
That’s it. This should prevent the app from starting on every login.
Method 2: Disable Spotify App Auto-Start via Task Manager
Windows provide a way to access the list of applications that are scheduled to run at every startup. You can have a look at this list and disable the auto-start of the Spotify app from this list. Follow the steps given below
- Press and hold CTRL, SHIFT, and Esc keys simultaneously (CTRL + SHIFT + ESC). This will open the task manager
- Click the Startup This should show a list of apps that are scheduled to open at every startup
- Locate the Spotify app from this list and select it
- Click Disable from the bottom right corner
This should disable the auto-start of the Spotify app.
Method 3: Disable Allow Spotify to be Opened from the Web
Although it doesn’t make a lot of sense but a lot of users noticed that disabling this option, somehow, fixes the auto-start issue with the Spotify app. So, simply turn this option off by following the steps given below.
- Open the Spotify App
- Click the downwards arrow beside your picture and select You can also hold the CTRL key and press P to open these settings
- Select Advanced Settings
- Toggle off the Allow Spotify to be opened from the web It should be under the Startup and Windows Behavior section and it should be turned on by default
Check if this resolves the issue. If the problem isn’t solved after turning this option off, try to disable the Spotify app from the Task Manager as well (follow method 2). If the problem is rectified then you can keep this option turned off until the issue is fixed by the Spotify developers in the upcoming updates.+
Method 4: Rename Spotify App Exe File
Renaming the Spotify app’s executable file (spotify.exe) and Spotify launcher’s executable file (SpotifyLauncher.exe) will solve the issue for you. So, follow the steps given below to rename the Spotify executables.
- Go to your Desktop, right-click the Spotify shortcut icon and select Delete
- Press and hold CTRL, SHIFT, and Esc keys simultaneously (CTRL + SHIFT + ESC). This will open the task manager
- Click Processes tab
- You should be able to see the spotify.exe process running on the list. If you don’t see it then run the Spotify app.
- Right-click the spotify.exe process and select Open file location
- Now, close the Spotify app if it is opened
- Right-click the spotify.exe from the file explorer and select Rename. Add an extra 1 to the name and press Enter. It should be spotify1.exe now. Note: You can name it whatever you want, the point is to rename it.
- Now right click spotifylauncher.exe from the file explorer and select Rename. Add an extra 1 to the name and press Enter. It should be spotifylauncher1.exe now.
This should prevent the Spotify app to run at every startup. You can right-click the spotify1.exe and select Create shortcut. You can cut/paste or drag it to the Desktop so you can use this shortcut to open the Spotify app.
