How to Stop Windows 10 From Reopening Your Previous Applications After Restarting Your PC

Ever restarted your PC, only to find all your previous apps popping back up like nothing happened? It’s one of those Windows 10 features that sounds helpful on paper but ends up being more annoying than useful — especially if you were juggling a bunch of apps you no longer need open.

Luckily, turning this feature off is quick and easy. Here’s how to stop Windows 10 from reopening your apps after a restart.

The Problem: Auto-Reopening Apps After Restart

Windows 10 tries to “help” by restoring the apps you were using before you shut down or restarted. This includes programs like File Explorer, Chrome, Notepad, and more. While it might save time in some cases, it can also slow down startup and clutter your desktop.

The Fix: Change Two Simple Settings

There are two places where this behavior can be turned off. You’ll want to disable both to fully stop it.

1. Turn Off App Restart in Settings

This is the key setting that controls whether Windows reopens your apps.

• Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options
• Scroll down to Restart apps
• Turn off the toggle for:
  “Automatically save my restartable apps when I sign out and restart them after I sign in.”

2. Stop Windows From Using Sign-In Info to Finish Setting Up

This step helps prevent Windows from logging you in automatically and restoring the previous session.

• In the same Sign-in options menu, scroll to Privacy
• Turn off the toggle for:
  “Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device after an update or restart.”

This adds an extra layer of control and helps ensure a clean boot-up.

Bonus Tip: Disable “Use My Sign-In Info” via Group Policy (For Power Users)

If you’re using Windows 10 Pro, you can use the Group Policy Editor:

• Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter
• Navigate to:
  Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Logon Options
• Find and disable the policy:
  “Sign-in last interactive user automatically after a system-initiated restart.”

That’s It

Once you’ve made these changes, Windows 10 will stop reopening apps after restart — leaving you with a clean slate every time you power up. No more surprise browser tabs or random open programs.

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