I installed uTorrent couple of months ago and while installing I unchecked the box that says "Start uTorrent with Windows" and it worked that way until few days ago when I turn on the PC uTorrent is already up and running, it seems like it doesn't even need time to start. I thought some settings got messed up and went to Task Manager->Start Up but uTorrent was't there. What can I do to stop it from doing that? Running on Win 10, latest version of uTorrent - 3.5.0 build 44294

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8 Answers

1. Verify that the startup option is disabled in uTorrent options.
2. Check if you have a uTorrent shortcuts under C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp\, if so - remove it.
   • When windows start, it will run each of the files in that directory.

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Update:

One commenter (СашаЧерных) suggested to create a new string: uTorrent in the registry at the following location:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

and set its value to -

This solves the issue without needing to change any other windows settings.

It is most likely due to a setting in Windows 10

There is a change with the Fall Creator’s Update where applications that have registered via RegisterApplicationRestart will re-open after a shutdown or reboot, read about it here.

You can mitigate this either by making sure that µTorrent has been shut down before you perform a restart. Or you can disable this functionality directly in settings:

Open Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options → Scroll down to Privacy

Note: There is unfortunately no way to disable this for individual applications as of this moment.

Other considerations

Ensure that Start µTorrent when Windows Starts is disabled, then exit the application completely:

During installation, there is also the option to enable/disable this functionality. And it is a possibility that "remnants" of these settings are located somewhere. But this is highly unlikely.

In any case, I bet this has something to do with µTorrent running when you shut down your computer, and the Windows 10 Setting is enabled.

Keep in mind:

The startup applications have moved about a bit in Windows, and there are two distinct places you can manage this now. They show different results sometimes, and can have something to do with how certain applications register with either the old system or the new one.

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Have a look in: Settings > Apps > Startup

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Have a look in Task Manager

But, as a general recommendation, I would find another software instead of µTorrent, to use for your distro-sharing needs.

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So you'd disable it on your Windows Startup Programs manager.

Start > Run > MSConfig

Click the Startup tab, find your program, and uncheck the box.

You will get some popup warnings that these changes affect your computer and that is okay.

FYI ABOUT uTORRENT : Within the past few years, uTorrent changed their program so that it uses your computer to mine for bitcoins when you are idle (that is, it runs your computer hard so that they can make invisible internet money). I believe this information is not very visible when you are using or installing uTorrent. If your computer is frail and on its last legs, you want to beware of this.

SECOND FYI ABOUT uTORRENT : With peer-to-peer file sharing programs like uTorrent you need to beware that your computer is sharing files across the internet that may very well be illegally pirated. Even if you are not at your computer, do not ever see it, know of it, nor use it, your ISP does and they CAN decide that this alone constitutes pirating (certain files are specifically flagged and monitored across the internet). For many ISPs, they will simply shut off your internet and getting it turned back on is excruciatingly difficult.

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From the Run prompt (Win+R), enter shell:startup, and shell:common startup and make sure no shortcuts to uTorrent exist in these folders.

Next, go to Task Manager > Startup, and disable uTorrent.

Lastly, open Task Scheduler and make sure that none of the enabled tasks run uTorrent.

Also: consider using Deluge as an alternative to uTorrent - works much better in my experience, is free (both as in free beer and free press), and has no ads.

I have uTorrent 3.2 from BTGuard. In my startup list, it shows up as settings.exe, a blank publisher, and a torch icon. Right click on that entry and verify that Properties shows a Location such as C:\BTGUARD. Disable it.

uTorrent's install of 3.5.3 puts the expected Name and Publisher in the startup list.

Try this

C:\users(username)\appdata\roaming\microsoft\windows\startmenu\programs\start-up

Here you will find a uTorrent shortcut which links it to the uTorrent.exe file. Simply delete it. Reboot your system and it should start without uTorrent starting as well.

Hope that helps.

After shutting down utorrent wait 5 seconds to shut down Windows. That did it for me.

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When you shut down utorrent immidiatly check the taskmanager and you will see that utorrent takes about 15 seconds to terminate. If you still dont beleive in my solution then endure.

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