To see a list of all the currently loaded launch items on your Mac, open Terminal (in /Applications/Utilities) and type launchctl list and then press Return. When other apps open without hiccups and the spinning ball appears only on the problem app, the first course of action is to force-quit the problematic app. If force quitting by pressing Command+Option+Esc keys does not work with the app, open up your Activity monitor. When you are new to the world of Macs, you can open up a Finder session. There are some apps that you might like to have open automatically each time you start or log into your Mac. For instance, if you use a Mac for work, you might like Slack to open right up for quick communications. However, if you are experiencing apps opening that you do not want, there are a couple of ways you can change this. Add Startup Programs in Mac OS X. Adding startup programs in Mac OS X is pretty easy and straightforward. To start off, click on the Apple icon appearing on the top-right corner and then select the option 'System Preferences.' Once the System Preferences window has been opened, find and double-click on the option 'Users and Groups.'
![Mac open apps on startup app Mac open apps on startup app](/uploads/1/3/4/2/134261412/338203831.jpg)
Mac Open Apps On Startup
Use the setting in the log out or restart dialog
When you log out of your Mac or restart it, deselect ”Reopen windows when logging back in” when prompted.
Or start up in safe mode, then restart normally. This doesn't change the setting, but your Mac forgets any windows that were open the last time you logged out or restarted.
If you deselect this setting and an app continues to open automatically:
- The app might be a login item. You can add or remove login items in Users & Groups preferences.
- The app might have installed its own startup software. Often this is controlled by a setting within the app. Check the app's preferences or documentation, or contact the app's developer.
Use the setting in General preferences
To prevent apps from remembering the windows they had open, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click General, then select ”Close windows when quitting an app.”
Or press and hold the Shift key while opening an app. This doesn't change the setting, but the app forgets any windows that were open the last time you quit the app.
Mac Open Apps On Startup Desktop
If these steps don't work for an app, the app might have its own setting for reopening windows. Check the app's preferences or documentation, or contact the app's developer.