How to Fix Slow Startup in Windows: 9 Proven Methods

You press the power button, and then you wait. And wait. By the time your desktop finally becomes usable, you could have made a cup of tea. A slow Windows startup is one of the most common PC complaints, and in most cases it can be fixed without reinstalling Windows or buying a new computer.

Here are 9 practical fixes, starting with the easiest ones. These steps apply to both Windows 10 and Windows 11, though menu names may differ slightly between versions.

1. Disable Unnecessary Startup Apps

This is the most common cause of a slow boot. Many programs set themselves to launch with Windows, and each one adds to the wait.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Go to the Startup tab (called Startup apps on Windows 11).
3. Check the Startup impact column.
4. Right-click apps you don't need at startup and choose Disable.

Disabling an app here doesn't uninstall it. You can still open it manually whenever you need it. Leave your antivirus and device drivers (touchpad, audio, graphics) enabled.

2. Check Your Storage Drive

If Windows is installed on a traditional hard drive (HDD), startup will usually be much slower than on a solid-state drive (SSD). To check which one you have, open Task Manager → Performance tab → Disk. The drive type is shown at the top right.

Also make sure your system drive isn't almost full. A drive with very little free space can slow down the whole system. Aim to keep a healthy amount of free space, and clear out files you no longer need.

3. Restart Instead of Only Shutting Down

With Fast Startup enabled, a normal shutdown doesn't fully close Windows, and temporary glitches can carry over to the next boot. A proper Restart clears them. If your PC has been running slowly for a while, restart it at least once and see if the boot time improves.

4. Review the Fast Startup Setting

Fast Startup is designed to speed up booting, but on some systems it can cause problems. It's worth testing both ways.

1. Open Control Panel → Power Options.
2. Click Choose what the power buttons do.
3. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
4. Toggle Turn on fast startup, save changes, and compare boot times.

The effect varies from PC to PC, so keep whichever setting works better for you.

5. Install Windows and Driver Updates

Outdated Windows builds and old drivers can cause slow or unstable boots.

• Go to Settings → Windows Update and install pending updates.
• Update your graphics driver from your GPU maker's official website.
• Check your PC or laptop manufacturer's support page for chipset and BIOS updates.

6. Scan for Malware

Malicious software often runs in the background from the moment you boot. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection and run a Full scan. For a second opinion, you can also run an offline scan from the same screen under Scan options.

7. Repair Corrupted System Files

Damaged system files can slow down startup. Windows has built-in tools to repair them. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run these commands one at a time:

sfc /scannow

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Both can take a while. Let them finish, then restart your PC.

8. Uninstall Programs You Don't Use

Old software often leaves behind background services and startup entries. Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps (or Apps & features on Windows 10) and remove anything you no longer need, especially trial software and bundled apps you never use.

9. Upgrade Your Hardware

If the fixes above don't help enough, the hardware may be the limit.

• SSD: Replacing an HDD with an SSD is usually the single biggest improvement for boot speed.
• RAM: If your PC has very little memory for its workload, adding more can make the whole system feel smoother.

Before buying, check which SSD type (SATA or NVMe) and which RAM type your PC supports.

Final Thoughts

Most slow startup problems come down to too many startup apps, a slow or full drive, or outdated software. Start with the first few fixes, as they cost nothing and often make a noticeable difference. If your PC still feels slow after all nine, a hardware upgrade is likely the answer.

Planning an upgrade? Browse SSDs, RAM, and other PC components at Tech Mart.