How to stop Spotify from running only in the background on your PC

Informatec Digital » Software » How to stop Spotify from running only in the background on your PC

If Spotify launches automatically every time you turn on your computer, consuming memory from the very first minute, it's normal to want to stop it. In this guide, we'll tell you, step by step, how to stop it from launching automatically and what options you have to get it to launch. only when you decide, without any weird tricks or dangerous programs.

In addition to disabling automatic startup from the Spotify client itself, you will see how to do it with Windows tools (both in Windows 10 and Windows 11), how to delay its startup with third-party utilities, and when it is convenient to opt for the web version as a lighter alternativeWe finish with real-world usage data, performance tips, and options if you prefer a different music service.

Why Spotify Starting on Its Own Might Annoy You

The Spotify client includes a feature to automatically open upon login, designed for those who want to have their music ready from the first minute; but on many computers this means adding extra load to the system startup and leaving a process in constantly running in the background that you don't always need.

If your PC is old or low on resources, enabling this automatic startup can lengthen startup time and take memory and CPU away from other tasks. Although Spotify is quite optimized, it's still just another app taking up RAM and CPU cycles, and this This is especially noticeable on limited hardware. or if you use heavy programs at the same time.

The good news is that you can choose between several options: disable automatic startup completely, keep it in minimized mode so it doesn't bother you on the desktop, or manage it from Windows to prevent it from sneaking into system startup. All of this can be reversed in seconds if you change your mind later.

Disable it from Spotify: Startup and Window Options

Spotify allows you to control its startup behavior from its preferences panel. This is the most direct method, and the changes also have immediate effect without restarting the program nor the PC.

How to get there: Open Spotify and tap the menu icon (three lines) in the top left corner; then go to "Edit" and then "Preferences." If you prefer, use the keyboard shortcut. Ctrl + P for faster access.

Within the preferences, go to the "Window and startup settings" section. In the startup drop-down menu, you'll see three options: "Yes" (enabled), "No" (disabled), and "Minimized." Choose "No" to prevent Spotify from opening automatically, or "Minimized" if you want it to load without appearing on the desktop. avoid visual distraction when logging in.

When you change this preference, the setting is saved and applied instantly. You don't need to do anything else: the next time you turn it on, Spotify will no longer start by default. If you ever change your mind, go back to the same option and select "Yes" or "Minimized" to restart the program. start automatically.

Lock it with Windows tools

Windows offers two native ways to control which applications can run at startup. Both work in both Windows 10 and Windows 11 and are perfect if you want to have control of the start from a single place without touching the internal settings of each program.

Task Manager: Startup tab

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Go to the "Startup" tab and look for "Spotify" in the list. From here, you can see if it's enabled, its status, and even the "startup impact" (low, medium, or high) on startup performance.

To disable it, right-click on Spotify and choose "Disable." You can also select the entry and click the "Disable" button in the lower-right corner. This will prevent the program from running. when you turn on the computer.

Want to go back? Go back to the same section and select "Enable" when you're ready. You don't need to go back to the Spotify app to change it, as Windows will manage the startup permission for that process. in a centralized manner.

Windows Settings: Apps > Start

Another easy way is from the Settings app. Open the settings with Windows + I, go to "Applications" and then "Startup." You'll see a list of programs that have permission to run when you log in.

Locate Spotify and disable its toggle. This panel is available in Windows 10 and remains in the same location in Windows 11. Take this opportunity to disable other programs you don't need to speed up startup. with a couple of clicks.

Upon restart, you'll notice that Spotify doesn't reappear until you open it. If you're interested in bringing it back at startup later, return to this switch and activate it; it's the most direct way to do so. reverse the change without complications.

Specialized startup managers: more control and delayed startup

Some users prefer a comprehensive view of everything that loads when Windows starts, including secondary processes and scheduled tasks. To do this, there are startup managers that allow you to disable, audit, or even delay the startup of applications like Spotify. distribute the load better in the first minutes

Autorun organizer

Autorun Organizer shows in great detail everything that runs at startup. It allows you to locate the Spotify process and any related threads to disable them if you wish. Its strong point is that it allows you to delay execution of elements: for example, having Spotify open automatically several minutes after boot so that it doesn't interfere with Windows loading.

If you're interested in fine-tuning what opens and when, this is a very practical tool. You can get it from their official website, and once you try it, you'll see how much it helps with a smooth startup. more progressive and fluid.

Autoruns (Sysinternals)

Autoruns, from Microsoft Sysinternals, is the Swiss Army knife of Windows startup. Not only does it allow you to view and disable everything that starts automatically, it also displays information about each entry: source, signature, timestamps, and more. It also integrates verification with VirusTotal to analyze suspicious processes.

With Autoruns, you can locate any trace of Spotify at startup and block it if necessary. It's ideal for advanced users who want a complete overview of "Run," "Services," "Scheduled Tasks," and other locations where it might sneak in. persistent elements.

Startup Dealer

If you use Spotify daily but just want to speed up Windows startup, the option to delay its launch makes a lot of sense. Startup Delayer allows you to either disable or set a timeout for an app to launch later: for example, opening Spotify two minutes later to log in.

Although Startup Delayer stopped updating in 2015, it still works well on Windows 10 and Windows 11. It's free and useful for getting the system to load critical services and drivers first, leaving non-essential applications for last. without giving up your comfort.

CCleaner

The popular CCleaner includes a very easy-to-use startup manager. Go to Tools > Startup, locate Spotify in the list, and click "Delete" if you want to remove its entry, or "Disable" if you prefer to keep it listed but without running automatically.

The advantage of disabling instead of removing is that if you change your mind in the future, you can reactivate it from the same panel without Windows or Spotify having to create the entry again.

If you don't use it often: uninstall the app and try Spotify Web.

If you rarely use Spotify on your PC, consider uninstalling the app. Just go to Settings > Apps > Installed, locate Spotify, and tap "Uninstall." You can always reinstall it later with a couple of clicks if you miss it, so there's no risk of losing access to your playlists. not even to your account.

For casual listening, the web version of Spotify is usually sufficient. It consumes fewer resources than the desktop client, doesn't take up disk space, and if you want a more app-like experience, you can create a WebApp with Microsoft Edge to run in a separate window.

By creating this WebApp, you'll have a dedicated Spotify window that behaves like a standalone program and maintains its session as long as you don't close that window. You'll be able to access all your usual playlists and features with reduced memory and CPU usage, something that It is appreciated in modest equipment.

How much resources does Spotify consume on PC?

Like any active or background application, Spotify consumes CPU and RAM continuously. In tests with its modern client, the memory footprint typically ranges between 250MB and 300MB, although it may vary depending on what you are doing within the app.

The process that uses the most resources is the interface; if you navigate through menus, lists, or covers, the CPU and memory usage increases somewhat. The client opens several processes (with 32-bit components) for functions such as playback, caching and downloading of songs or the UI itself.

On an average PC, this consumption shouldn't be a problem. However, if you use demanding browsers (Chrome, for example) at the same time and are short on RAM, closing Spotify when not in use will help free up memory. Don't expect miracles: the difference exists, but it won't be a massive performance boost, although can prevent occasional jerks.

Note on background playback and audio conflicts

If you notice that your music cuts out when you switch to other apps or play videos on social media, it may be due to how the system prioritizes foreground audio. In certain scenarios, apps that request media focus displace those in the background, and Spotify doesn't have "administrator audio access," so the system may prioritize the active app.

Try these ideas: open Spotify before the other app you're using (sometimes it prevents it from losing focus), check if the other app has a preference to not take control of the audio, and mute the sound on videos or stories if you just want to scroll without interrupting the music; with the sound on "Mute," many apps stop requesting the audio. playback channel.

On mobile devices, it's also a good idea to check permissions to run in the background and disable battery optimization for Spotify (Mobile Settings > Applications > Spotify > Battery > Optimization). Although we're focusing on PCs here, it's worth keeping in mind if your music stops playing when you switch devices. application on the phone.

Lightweight alternatives to Spotify

If Spotify isn't quite convincing or you're looking for something even lighter, there are valid alternatives for streaming music with less impact on your system. Each one has its own approach, so try the one that best suits your needs. way of listening to music.

YouTube Music (web version)

Accessible from any browser, no installation required. It uses minimal resources and can be complemented with extensions to create an app-like experience. If you already use Google services, integration and access to your content are easy. especially comfortable.

SoundCloud

Perfect for discovering independent music and remixes. Its app is lightweight and the web version works very well. If you want to break away from commercial catalogs and explore different sounds, it's an option that broaden your horizon.

Tidal Web Player

Tidal's web player is simple and fast; on many PCs it performs better than its app. If you don't need the highest quality (HiFi/Hi-Res), the free version may be enough for hassle-free listening with a clean interface.

Deezer Web

Very similar in concept to Spotify, but with a faster loading speed and a web version that works like a charm. It allows you to create playlists and explore recommendations without overloading the system, ideal if you're looking for a familiar experience. fluid from the browser.

Radio Garden

If you're looking to listen to live radio stations from around the world, Radio Garden gives you access to thousands of streaming radio stations. It's lightweight, free, and very useful when you're traveling and want to tune in. quickly new stations.

audius

Focused on indie music and creators, with a web app that consumes very little RAM and works well on older devices. If you're into discovering emerging artists with a simple interface, you'll find it very pleasant to use.

If you're looking for your computer to start up faster and only open the applications you really need, disabling Spotify's automatic startup from its own settings or from Windows is the most straightforward option; if you prefer to keep it handy but without slowing down the startup, delay it with a manager like Autorun Organizer or Startup Delayer; and if you hardly ever use it, the web version and the alternatives we've seen will give you the same music with less consumption and more control over it. when each thing is executed.