topic Re: How to disable GlobalProtect autostartup? in GlobalProtect Discussions

How to disable GlobalProtect autostartup?

Daniel — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 18:25:37 GMT

Hi everyone,

Recently my company gave me access to their VPN so I could get to the database while I am working from home (on my very own computer since the company did not provide one). I installed it and everything is working fine, except a there has been a lot of shady behaviour by this application:

The application does not contain a setting to disable it from autostarting. I deleted the shorctut entries in Start C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup & C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup, made sure that no entry was left in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and checked that the PanGPS service was set to manual, yet this application keeps popping up at system start
The application cannot be closed without killing it from the task manager. Did you take a page from the skype book or something?
The application sends a lot of stuff about the device that is running it and there is no way to stop it

All of this comes off as stupidly invasive to the end user, I just need a connection to a VPN, isn't there a simpler way to do this?

Re: How to disable GlobalProtect autostartup?

jdelio — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 17:08:08 GMT

One option if you do not want to use GlobalProtect client to connect to VPN/IPSec gateway is to use Clientless VPN

here is some more info on that.

https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/globalprotect/9-0/globalprotect-admin/globalprotect-clientless-vpn

https://knowledgebase.paloaltonetworks.com/KCSArticleDetail?id=kA14u000000HAt7CAG

Re: How to disable GlobalProtect autostartup?

Masoncycle — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 14:47:28 GMT

The original question was not answered. Is there a way to disable the automatic start up. I would like to know this as well, so I can delete the program. As a novice computer user who had this program installed by my ex- office to work from home ( I am now retired) I would like to delete the Global Protect program as I now longer need it. I am removing a number of redundant files and program to allow my machine to perform better.

Re: How to disable GlobalProtect autostartup?

JoakimAberg — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 07:05:27 GMT

Did you find anything about disable the automatic startup?

Re: How to disable GlobalProtect autostartup?

kiwi — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 11:50:23 GMT

Hi @Daniel ,

Are you able to disable it in TaskManager Startup ?

Cheers,

-Kim.

Re: How to disable GlobalProtect autostartup?

JoakimAberg — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 12:01:42 GMT

Hi,

We deleted the autostart registry key for GlobalProtect under HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

to prevent "C:\Program Files\Palo Alto Networks\GlobalProtect\PanGPA.exe" from being started.

The problem we have now is that during upgrade from central deployment tool to our clients the MSI-package autostart the GlobalProtect client instantly after install/upgrade. Then when gpo is applied again the registry key is removed. But all users that is using there computers during deployment is promptet with the GlobalProtect login. Is there any MSI parameters/properties that can prevent autostart after install?

Re: How to disable GlobalProtect autostartup?

CalliedJ — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 16:49:45 GMT

I can't stand software that thinks it has a right to autostart, regardless of what you do. So, I changed the *.exe file to *(expletive).exe and created a shortcut to it. No more autostart. 😄

Re: How to disable GlobalProtect autostartup?

O.Rietbrock — Fri, 23 May 2025 11:04:13 GMT

I go along with that solution.

Open Task Manager as Administrator -> Tab Startup -> Disable Program/Service Named PanGPA

Note:

The new AI search engines now think the registry key is more right.... which is not. But that proves how dangerous AI is by taking wrong answers as sufficient.

Re: How to disable GlobalProtect autostartup?

achick84 — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 13:48:54 GMT

just tried all bar the registry key & .exe rename options, including disable from startup & it STILL RUNS. Am uninstalling this app until i can have control back of my personal computer as this has got to be a breach of privacy & security joke if someone thinks this is acceptable.