Stop Forticlient from Starting on startup

[Carlos1]

The company I work uses this garbage so unfortunately I cannot unninstall it. However I dont want it to start on startup and I cannot disable it. There is no FortiClient option on the taskmanager startup tab. How can I proceed?

[nazarkryp]

What is has to do with the company policy? I haven't configured VPN yet, but can't disable with console on startup. I have also that problem.

In case of stupid questions: I'm using personal computer. I'm the administrator here. No other users except ME.

[AlexC-FTNT]

I am not a developer, but I guess the problem may likely be related to the way windows services operate. When you need to connect to VPN, you use FortiClient. After connecting, FCT needs to change/update the routing in Windows with the routes received from the tunnel. This is where I assume the problem lies: if FCT is not started at startup with such privileges, the program may not have the rights to apply this routing modifications (and security profiles associated with the VPN). Surely, the answer is more complex than that. 

[Yucchie]

This is assuming you have the latest version of the software (7.0+). You can disable startup of the application by doing the following:

- Shut down the FortiClient software (This includes exiting the software, if it hides in the system tray)

- Open up Services (run command: services.msc)

- Find the Service "FortiClient Service Scheduler" or something similar to this service (Stop this service if necessary)

- Open the Service Properties and change the "Startup type" to "Manual"

- OK and close all dialogs

- Reboot to test

This should stop FortiClient from starting automatically

[Carlos1]

I did that, it stops the service from starting, however the program still starts on the system startup on the tray bar

[Yucchie]

That doesn't sound right. I think I missed a step with regards to the FortiClient Stoppage. Updated info as below (I will also include the FortiClient VPN Only Program):

This is assuming you have the latest version of the software (7.0+). You can disable startup of the application by doing the following:

- Disconnect from EMS if connected (This stops telemetry data going forward)

- Shut down the FortiClient software (This includes exiting the software, if it is hiding in the system tray)

- Open Elevated/Administrator Level Command Prompt/Powershell

- Run Following command (Not needed for VPN Only Program):

net stop fortishield

You should get a message that the command completed successfully

- Open up Services (run command: services.msc)

- Find the Service "FortiClient Service Scheduler" (For Full FortiClient)/"FortiClient VPN Service Scheduler" (FortiClient VPN Only Program) (Stop this service if necessary)

- Open the Service Properties and change the "Startup type" to "Manual" (Make sure there are no error dialog boxes and that the Startup type changes from Automatic to Manual)

- OK and close all dialogs

- Reboot to test

This should stop FortiClient from starting automatically

Let me know how you get on. Reboot first before beginning so you have a clean slate to start on

[chethan]

Is your FortiClient connected to EMS? if yes, it cannot be shut down or  uninstalled. And It will start on system start up.

Disconnect it from EMS first -> Then shut down forticlient -> restart and test.

[Blizzard]

Hi
to disable forticlient on startup you need admin priv on the device.

Then follow this steps:

1. shutdown FortiClient from the Taskbar
2. CMD command prompt as Administrator and, run this command: net stop fortishield
3. run msconfig, go to the "Services" tab,search and uncheck  FortiClient Service Scheduler and then  Apply"
4. From the same cmd run services.msc and check  FortiClient Service Scheduler startup type.It should be  "Manual or "Disabled" . Set it to Manual.
5. restart the system and check Forticlient hasn't started.

It worked with Forticlient 7.0.x and Win10/11