If the ChatGPT app opens every time you sign in to Windows, you can stop it from starting automatically. The setting is in Windows Startup apps. Turning it off does not uninstall ChatGPT or remove your chats; you can still open the app whenever you need it.
Open Startup settings
- Open Start and select Settings. You can also press Windows key + I.
- Select Apps in the Settings sidebar.
- Select Startup.
The path is Settings > Apps > Startup. In the Startup page, Windows lists apps that can run when you sign in.
Turn ChatGPT off
Find ChatGPT in the app list and switch its toggle to Off. If the page is long, use the Sort by menu or scroll down to the C section.
That is all you need to change. The next time you sign in to Windows, ChatGPT should no longer launch automatically. To open it, select ChatGPT from Start or use its taskbar shortcut.
If ChatGPT is not listed
Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, then select Startup apps. Look for ChatGPT, select it, and choose Disable. Windows provides startup controls in both Settings and Task Manager. If ChatGPT is absent from both lists, check whether another installed launcher or a shortcut is starting it.
Turn startup back on
Return to Settings > Apps > Startup and switch ChatGPT back to On. You can change this setting again at any time.
Sources
- Configure Startup applications in Windows — Microsoft Support
- Using the ChatGPT Windows app — OpenAI Help Center
The Windows steps follow Microsoft’s Settings and Task Manager guidance. The supplied screenshot matches the Windows 11 Apps > Startup page.