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How to Disable OneNote in Windows Startup Fast

John Michaloudis
Are you finding OneNote popping up on your Windows system when you don’t need it? Don’t worry, I’ve been there too.
OneNote is a powerful tool, but it’s not for everyone—and sometimes we just need to keep our workspace distraction-free.

In this article, I’ll guide you through the steps to disable OneNote on Windows so you can focus on the apps that matter most to you.

Are you finding OneNote popping up on your Windows system when you don’t need it? Don’t worry, I’ve been there too. OneNote is a powerful tool, but it’s not for everyone—and sometimes we just need to keep our workspace distraction-free. In this article, I’ll guide you through the steps to disable OneNote on Windows so you can focus on the apps that matter most to you.

Key Takeaways:

  • Disable OneNote from Startup: Stop OneNote from opening automatically by disabling it in Task Manager.
  • Remove Notifications: Turn off OneNote notifications in Windows Settings for a distraction-free experience.
  • Uninstall OneNote If Needed: Completely remove OneNote from your system through Control Panel if it’s no longer needed.
  • Troubleshoot Common Errors: Solve permission or integration issues by adjusting settings or restarting your system.
  • Double-Check Settings: Confirm OneNote is fully disabled by revisiting Task Manager and restarting your PC to ensure it doesn’t appear at startup.

 

Introduction to Disabling OneNote at Startup

Understanding OneNote in Windows

In the era of digital note-taking, Microsoft OneNote stands out as a powerful tool available through Microsoft Office Suite on Windows. It enables me to create, compile, and share notebooks teeming with notes, drawings, screen clippings, and audio commentaries. However, while OneNote’s benefits are numerous, there might be compelling reasons to disable it from automatically launching at startup.

Reasons for Turning Off OneNote at Startup

Turning Off OneNote at startup can greatly enhance the performance of my Windows PC. OneNote, by default, tends to load in the background, which might consume system resources I would rather allocate to other applications. Furthermore, if I’m not regularly using OneNote, its automatic startup becomes unnecessary and can slow down my machine’s boot time. For individuals who prefer to manually launch applications as needed, disabling OneNote can be a way of maintaining control over the system’s immediate workload upon startup.

 

Step-by-Step Methods to Disable OneNote

Disable OneNote Startup in Task Manager

Using the Task Manager to disable OneNote startup on my Windows PC is straightforward. Perform these steps:

STEP 1: I start by right-clicking the taskbar to open the Task Manager.

Disable OneNote

STEP 2: In the Task Manager window, I navigate to the Startup tab, where I find a list of all the programs set to run at startup.

Disable OneNote

STEP 3: Here, I scroll to locate Microsoft OneNote. A simple right-click on OneNote, followed by selecting ‘Disable’ from the context menu, ensures that OneNote will cease to run automatically every time I boot up my PC.

Disable OneNote

The beauty of this method lies in its simplicity and the immediate effect it has on my startup routine.

Additional Tips for Managing OneNote on Your PC

Remove OneNote Altogether If Necessary

If I find that I don’t use OneNote at all, or it’s become more of a hindrance than a help, removing it entirely from my PC might be the best course of action. Follow these steps:

STEP 1: First I click on the ‘Start’ button and select ‘Control Panel’.

Disable OneNote

STEP 2: In the Control Panel, I look for ‘Programs’ where I can uninstall or change a program. And click on “Uninstall a program”.

Disable OneNote

STEP 3: Scrolling through the list of installed programs, I select “Microsoft Office” or “Microsoft Note” and then click on the ‘Change’ button. And follow instructions. Click ‘Continue’ or “Ok” to proceed, and patiently wait for the Setup wizard to reconfigure my installation without OneNote.

Disable OneNote

 

The process may take a few minutes as the wizard works its magic to delete and change files on my PC. Once it signals completion, I reboot my computer. When it starts up again, OneNote will be entirely absent from my system.

Tip: It’s essential to remember to back up any important notes before uninstalling OneNote, as this process will remove all related files.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls When Disabling OneNote

Errors You Might Encounter and How to Fix Them

Sometimes, while trying to disable OneNote, I may run into errors. A common one is receiving a message that I don’t have sufficient permissions to change startup settings. This usually means I need to log in as an administrator or run the app with administrative privileges by right-clicking the Task Manager or Office app and selecting ‘Run as administrator’.

Disable OneNote

Another possible error is OneNote still opening up despite being disabled from startup. This could be due to OneNote being embedded within other Microsoft Office application processes. To fix this, I’d need to delve into the Trust Center settings within the Office applications to disable all OneNote integrations and add-ins manually.

Should I encounter an error message that the file path for OneNote cannot be found or is invalid, checking the Shortcut’s properties in the Startup folder to ensure it’s pointing to the correct executable file can resolve the issue?

Lastly, if any changes seem not to take effect even after applying them, a system restart can help. If problems persist, using System Configuration (type “msconfig” in the Run dialog) to perform a more advanced startup management might be necessary.

Disable OneNote

Ensuring OneNote is Completely Disabled

After following the previous methods to disable OneNote, I make sure to double-check that it’s completely turned off. This means revisiting the Task Manager’s Startup tab to confirm OneNote is still disabled. It’s also wise to restart the computer to see if OneNote makes an unwelcome appearance upon booting.

Lastly, I also keep an eye on the notification area in the taskbar post-reboot. If there’s no OneNote icon, that’s a good indication that I’ve been successful in completely stopping OneNote from starting up with Windows.

 

FAQs: Tackling Your OneNote Questions

Can I disable Microsoft OneNote?

Yes, I can disable Microsoft OneNote. The application can be prevented from starting up automatically by disabling it in the Task Manager’s Startup tab, turning off its add-ins through Microsoft Office’s settings, or by removing it from the system entirely if I no longer wish to use it.

How Can I Stop OneNote From Being the Default Printer?

To stop OneNote from being the default printer, I navigate to the ‘Devices and Printers’ section in the Control Panel. There, I right-click on my preferred printer and choose ‘Set as default printer’. This action ensures my documents won’t automatically redirect to the OneNote virtual printer.

Can I Re-enable OneNote at Startup After Disabling It?

Certainly, if I decide to re-enable OneNote at startup after previously disabling it, I can return to the Task Manager’s Startup tab, locate OneNote, right-click it, and select ‘Enable’. This will allow OneNote to start automatically with Windows again.

Where are OneNote files stored in Windows 7?

In Windows 7, OneNote files, known as notebooks, are typically stored in the Documents folder under a directory called ‘OneNote Notebooks’. If I’m using OneNote 2013, I might also find notebooks on OneDrive for seamless syncing across devices.

Does OneNote work on Windows 7?

As of my knowledge cutoff date in early 2023, OneNote 2016 might still work on Windows 7, but newer versions and OneNote for Office 365 are not supported on this older operating system. It’s highly recommended to upgrade the operating system to ensure compatibility and security.

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John Michaloudis is a former accountant and finance analyst at General Electric, a Microsoft MVP since 2020, an Amazon #1 bestselling author of 4 Microsoft Excel books and teacher of Microsoft Excel & Office over at his flagship MyExcelOnline Academy Online Course.

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