MSI Afterburner launches on its own in Windows: causes and solutions

MSI Afterburner starts only when Windows is opened Or, on the contrary, it won't boot even though you have it configured correctly? This is one of the most common problems among those who use Afterburner for overclocking, fan control, or limiting GPU temperature. The behavior may seem random, but it has an explanation and a solution.

In this guide we gather all possible cases that explain why this happens: from conflicts with MSI Center and its scenario module, to interactions with RTSS (RivaTuner Statistics Server), scheduled tasks that don't run, the famous Windows logo icon inside Afterburner, and doubts about whether the program needs to be visible for the temperature limits or OC to apply.

Why MSI Afterburner Starts on Its Own (and Why It Sometimes Doesn't)

When you notice that MSI Afterburner It starts on its own in Windows unexpectedly, it usually exists an automatic start triggerThat trigger can come from Afterburner itself, Windows, RTSS, or even another utility suite like MSI Center. The challenge is identifying which mechanism is triggering it.

On the other hand, there are users who, even marking the start with Windows Within Afterburner and viewing the scheduled task created (MSIAfterburner.exe /s), they still can't get it to boot with the system. In these cases, permissions, the task itself, or a conflict with startup settings in Windows 11 are often at fault.

To make it a little more complicated, RTSS can be launched with the help of Afterburner if it's linked to display the OSD (the on-screen overlay with FPS and metrics). And if RTSS is causing issues with a specific game, simply closing RTSS isn't enough: it can be automatically relaunched while Afterburner is still open.

Preliminary conclusion: there are several pieces (Afterburner, RTSS, Windows, MSI Center) that can affect startup. That's why it's key to review each one with a clear and orderly method.

'Start with Windows' vs. 'Apply at Windows Startup': It's not the same thing

Inside Afterburner you will see the classic button with the Windows logo top right. When you activate it, it turns blue and means that the program should start with the system. If you then "close" it with the X, it ends completely. If you simply minimize it, it stays in the background (you will see the icon of the little plane on the tray).

The icon is different 'Apply at Windows startup', which loads your OC/curves profile upon system startup. Many people believe this option opens the Afterburner window, but this isn't the case: the profile can be applied while minimized, and in fact, the scheduled task usually launches it with the /s parameter to make it unobtrusive.

This explains a common confusion: you don't need to see Afterburner on screen for OC, voltages, or fan curves to be applied at login. You do need the process to be active in the background if you rely on features that require constant monitoring, such as a temperature limit or dynamic fan curve.

If you want to prevent MSI Afterburner from starting on its own in Windows (or at least from being visible), enable 'Start with Windows' and minimize, avoiding closing with the X. With the next boot it will run in the background, it will not bother you, and the profile will be applied as you expect.

The MSI Center case: The scenario module can force boot and crash your OC

A very repeated origin of the problem that MSI Afterburner starts by itself in Windows is in the MSI Center. Specifically, its "user scenario" module can touch the GPU and cause Afterburner to open, your settings to be ignored, or to be overwritten on the fly. Some users have seen how, after a instalación limpia de Windows 11, when installing that module the GPU was overclocked by MSI Center, interfering with Afterburner and forcing strange behavior at startup.

The solution in this context has been clear: uninstall the MSI Center user scenario moduleOnce this is done, Afterburner returns to its previous state, without unexpectedly starting or having its profiles replaced every time it boots.

Keep this rule of thumb in mind: avoid mixing utilities that manage the same thing. If Afterburner will be controlling your GPU, curves, and limits, don't let another suite impose its own profiles in parallel; your settings will be more stable and predictable.

What if what I need is for it to boot with Windows minimized?

Many users want Afterburner to always be ready because they depend on its temperature limit or its custom ventilation curve, which is much finer than that of the drivers. If this is your case, follow these key points.

1. Within Afterburner, leave the Windows logo enabled. You'll see the blue button when it's ON. Also, make sure to save the profile and have 'Apply at Windows Startup' enabled if you want it to load your settings as soon as you log in.
2. Minimize instead of closing. If you tap the X, you close it. If you close it, it will remain running and the next time you start it, the behavior will be as expected: the process is running, settings are applied, and the window is hidden.
3. Check the scheduled task. Under normal circumstances, you'll see an entry for MSIAfterburner.exe /s in Task Scheduler. This parameter starts the program silently. If it doesn't appear, recheck Start with Windows and give it permission to create it.

This scheme guarantees that the OC and the curve are applied at the beginning and the program does not bother with a window in the foreground, leaving everything in the background.

When Afterburner does NOT start with Windows despite having it correctly marked

Just as frustrating as when MSI Afterburner starts by itself in Windows is when, despite seeing the automatic start checked or even finding the scheduled task created, won't start. These are the most effective checks.

• Open Afterburner as administrator once, uncheck and check again 'Start with Windows'. This forces the task to be recreated with the correct permissions.
• In Task Scheduler, verify that the Afterburner entry is enabled and without errors. Check that the executable points to the correct path and that the /s parameter is retained.
• In Windows 11, look in Settings > Apps > Startup to see if MSI Afterburner is listed and if is not blocked. Sometimes the startup policy disables third-party apps.
• As an alternative, you can place a shortcut in the Startup folder from the Start menu (shell:startup). In the Shortcut Target field, you can add parameters; for example, you can leave MSIAfterburner.exe with /s to run it minimized. It works and doesn't require any extraneous tricks.

If it still won't boot, a clean reinstall of Afterburner may fix it. broken routes or permits that were affected, especially if you have migrated from version or disk.

How to prevent RTSS from starting with Afterburner without uninstalling it

There is a clean way to keep Afterburner active for your curve or limits, but prevent RTSS from kicking in and hitching games. Sigue estos pasos to leave it properly configured:

1. Open RTSS and uncheck its options 'Start with Windows' and 'Start minimized' so that it doesn't auto-add itself to startup.
2. In Afterburner, go to the Monitoring tab and uncheck 'Show in OSD' in all metrics. If there's nothing to display, Afterburner won't have a reason to force RTSS to start.
3. If you use per-game profiles in RTSS, check them: put 'Application detection level' set to None for problematic titles, or create exceptions. This will prevent hitches that cause crashes.

With these three steps, RTSS is installed in case you ever want to measure FPS, but will not start automatically while Afterburner does its job of fans or temperature limits.

How to make Afterburner appear minimized and not visible

If you find that the program opens in windowed mode when starting, but you want it minimized to tray, check the following:

• In Afterburner's general options, check 'Start minimized' if available and confirm that the boot use the /s parameter in the scheduled task.
• Avoid closing with the X after setting it up; minimize so you remember the status in the tray. The airplane icon will confirm that it's in the background.
• As a plan B, create a shortcut to MSIAfterburner.exe in the Startup folder and in the Target field add /s at the end. This way, even if Windows ignores the scheduled task, the shortcut will quietly launch it.

Prevent Afterburner from opening only when you don't want to use it

If what bothers you is that Afterburner appears even though you don't need it, apply this checklist:

• In Afterburner, uncheck 'Start with Windows'The logo button should be grayed out.
• In Task Scheduler, remove or disable the entry for MSIAfterburner.exe /s if it persists.
• In Settings > Apps > Windows 11 Start, disable Afterburner if it is listed.
• If you use MSI Center, remove the user scenario module to avoid GPU settings that may force Afterburner to launch or override profiles.
• Check the Startup folder (shell:startup) and the Common start in case someone left a shortcut forgotten.

Mastering these details will allow you to resolve the issue of MSI Afterburner launching on its own in Windows. The idea is to have it invisible, but working when you need thermal throttling and curves, or completely out of the game when you'd rather not have it running at boot. Plus, understanding the role of RTSS and the MSI Center scenario module eliminates the mystery of why your settings appear, disappear, or conflict with each boot.

Related article:

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Daniel Terrasa

Editor specialized in technology and internet issues with more than ten years of experience in different digital media. I have worked as an editor and content creator for e-commerce, communication, online marketing and advertising companies. I have also written on economics, finance and other sectors websites. My work is also my passion. Now, through my articles in Tecnobits, I try to explore all the news and new opportunities that the world of technology offers us every day to improve our lives.