[Fix] Firefox Automatically Launches When You Start Your Computer

If Mozilla Firefox web browser automatically opens whenever you start or restart your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer and you want to disable this auto-launch behavior, this article will help you.

After upgrading to Firefox 127.0 version, many users might have noticed that Firefox now automatically launches as soon as you turn on your Windows device or restart the device. Even if the user was not working on Firefox browser but whenever the user starts the computer, Firefox opens automatically.

It’s a new feature introduced in Firefox version 120.0 but at that time, the feature was disabled by default and interested users were required to manually enable it. It seems the automatic launch feature has been enabled for few users automatically in Firefox 127.0 and later versions.

ISSUE: Firefox Automatically Launches Whenever the User Starts Computer

The auto-launch feature was introduced in Firefox to improve the overall performance of the web browser as the required services and routines automatically start running in background upon Windows startup. It eliminates startup delays and the user is able to start surfing the Internet immediately.

If you are wondering how was the auto-launch feature activated in your Firefox browser, here is the answer. Recently Firefox started showing a notification banner to users asking to enable the automatic launch feature. The notification message contains following text:

If the user clicked on “Yes, open Firefox” button, the auto-launch feature was automatically enabled in user’s device. This notification was displayed to Firefox users who had Firefox Studies option enabled in their web browser settings.

If you are annoyed by the auto-launch feature and want to restrict or prevent Firefox from automatically launching on Windows startup, the methods given in this article will help you.

Firefox automatically registers with Windows startup process and adds its entry to Windows startup apps list. We can remove its entry from startup apps list and it’ll stop launching automatically whenever you start your computer.

Firefox also provides a dedicated option on its Settings page to enable or disable the automatic launch feature.

Following are a few methods which will help you in blocking Firefox from automatically launch with Windows:

METHOD 1: Disable Auto-Launch Feature Using Firefox Settings

This is the easiest method to disable Firefox automatically launching at computer startup.

STEP 1: Open Firefox Settings page by clicking on the main Firefox Menu (3-lines Hamburger menu icon) present at the right-side end of the toolbar and selecting Settings option. Alternatively, you can direct option Settings page using about:preferences command in address bar.

STEP 2: Now keep the General section or tab selected in left sidebar and in right-side pane, under Startup section, you’ll see a new option Open Firefox automatically when your computer starts up.

STEP 3: Disable or uncheck this option and Firefox will immediately stop launching automatically whenever you start your computer.

In future, if you decide to restore the auto-launch behavior, enable the above mentioned option again.

METHOD 2: Disable Firefox Automatic Launch Using Windows Task Manager

You can also take help of Task Manager tool to disable and remove Firefox entry from Windows startup which will block Firefox from automatically launching at system startup.

STEP 1: Right-click on Taskbar and select Task Manager option. It’ll open Task Manager. Alternatively, you can also direct launch Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys together.

STEP 2: Now go to Startup Apps tab and you’ll see a list of all startup apps.

STEP 3: Select Firefox entry present on the list and click on Disable button available on Task Manager toolbar.

Alternatively, you can right-click on Firefox entry and select Disable option from the context menu.

That’s it. Now Firefox will never launch automatically in your computer.

In future, if you decide to restore the auto-launch behavior, enable the Firefox entry again on Startup tab in Task Manager.

METHOD 3: Disable Firefox Auto-Launch Feature Using Startup Apps Settings

You can also remove Firefox entry from Startup Apps settings page in Windows 10 and Windows 11 to prevent it from automatically opening at system startup.

STEP 1: Open Settings app from Start Menu or by pressing WIN+I keys together.

STEP 2: Now go to Apps -> Startup section.

STEP 3: It’ll show list of all startup apps. Look for Firefox entry and click on the toggle button given next to Firefox and set it to OFF.

That’s it. Now Firefox will stop launching automatically in your computer.

In future, if you decide to restore the auto-launch behavior, enable the Firefox entry again on Startup Apps settings page.

Also Check:

[Tip] Enable or Disable Programs and Apps Automatically Restarting with Windows

[Tip] How to Manage Startup Apps and Programs in Windows

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