So I just did my semi-annual pilgrimage to Task Manager > Startup, and I’m beginning to think my PC is signing things up for startup behind my back, like it’s getting commission from these apps. Seriously, Steam, OneDrive, Discord, and some “HD Audio Background Stuff” I’m pretty sure I never consciously installed-why are all of you fighting to boot up with Windows like you’re muscling for concert tickets?
Is there some underground secret handshake that lets apps into startup territory, or does Windows just get lonely and invite anything that asks? I know you can turn off startup apps, but somehow Microsoft Edge finds its way back, like a bad sequel nobody asked for.
Has anyone uncovered a truly bulletproof way to keep the startup list lean, mean, and free of mystery squatters? Or, heck, is there a fun way to aggressively prank your PC back for its startup shenanigans? I’m thinking of making Notepad launch automatically, with a message that just says, “Nice try, sneaky apps.”
What’s the weirdest or most persistent thing that’s ever slipped into your startup without your blessing? And has anyone found a way to guilt trip Windows into stopping this nonsense?
