Prevent Skype from loading on Startup

I just installed Skype on my Mac but it keeps loading on startup. I can't find the option to turn it off.. help? Thanks!

 

To prevent Skype from auto loading when you bootup OS X do the following:

Go to System Preferences > Accounts, then click on "Login Items" and remove Skype from the list.

 

Thanks Lyshen! I can't believe that Skype didn't put an option in their preferences.. that's just wrong.

When I went to login options, I noticed that iTunes Helper had a check in the checkbox but that Skype and this other program called Colorvision (my monitor calibration) didn't. They still load on boot so I'm wondering what is the difference of having the checkbox checked on login items. Thanks again.

 

With the checkbox unchecked, the application should pop up and display itself when you boot up OS X. With the checkbox checked, the application would load and hide itself, running quietly in the background.

It is very useful for pre-loading commonly used apps (for example iTunes or a web browser), or running apps that you always use on boot up (for example Mail.app or whatever you use when you first boot up).
Not that I ever restart my Mac or anything.

 

That's the key. Skype was still in my login items list but it's been so long since I rebooted, I just assumed it was gone. A quick press of the "delete" key while skype was highlighted took care of the situation nicely. I can always run it when I want to make a call. And I bet it puts itself back in the list whenever I do. I'll have to check next time I use it.

 

Start Skype
Go down to the dock and Right click on the Skype icon
If the option Open at Login is ticked - untick it
Close Skype

Next time you restart it shouldn't open.