How to Fix Slow Boot Time and Finally Make Windows Start Faster

There is nothing more annoying than staring at a blank screen while your computer takes its sweet time waking up. You press that power button, and then… wait. And wait some more. Maybe go make coffee. Maybe come back and it is still crawling along.

Slow boot time? Yeah, it is a thing. But the good news is — you can fix it. In fact, you probably should.

What is Slowing Down Your PC Boot Time?

The short answer? A bunch of stuff. The long answer? Well, let us unpack that.

First, all those programs that sneak their way into your startup list. You know the ones — apps you barely use but somehow they are opening every time you turn on your computer like uninvited guests at a party.

Then there is malware, viruses, outdated drivers, not enough free space, or just plain old hardware that needs an upgrade.

Manage Startup Programs: The Easiest Win

Here is where you start. Cut the fat.

Hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Click on the Startup tab. Look at that list. Be brutal. If you do not need something opening right away when your computer starts, disable it. Right-click. Disable. Done.

This alone can work miracles.

Check for Malware and Viruses: Always Worth It

If your boot time went from fast to painfully slow overnight, malware could be the culprit. Run a scan using Windows Security or whatever antivirus you trust. Clean out anything suspicious. Malware is sneaky like that.

Free Up Hard Drive Space: Clean Out the Junk

A full hard drive is like a closet crammed with stuff — everything takes longer to find. Delete unused files. Clear your Downloads folder. Empty the Recycle Bin. Use Storage Sense in Windows settings. Make space. Your computer will thank you.

Update Drivers and Windows: Keep It Fresh

Old drivers can slow things down more than you think. Go to Windows Update and check for updates. While you are at it, update your drivers, especially for storage, graphics, and your motherboard.

Adjust Virtual Memory Settings: Give Windows Breathing Room

Virtual memory acts like extra RAM. Go to System Properties > Advanced > Performance Settings > Advanced tab. Click on Virtual Memory and adjust the settings. Let Windows manage it or customize if you know what you are doing.

Disable Fast Startup: Sounds Weird, But It Works

This setting sounds like it should help — and sometimes it does — but other times, Fast Startup can actually mess things up.

Turn it off like this:

• Control Panel > Power Options
• Choose what the power buttons do
• Click Change settings that are currently unavailable
• Uncheck Turn on fast startup

Restart and see if it makes a difference.

Run System File Checker (SFC) Scan: Repair What is Broken

Corrupted system files can be boot-time killers.

Open Command Prompt as administrator. Type this command:

sfc /scannow

Press Enter. Let it do its thing. Reboot when it finishes.

Diagnosing Windows Boot Time: Find the Bottleneck

If you want to know exactly what is slowing you down, use the built-in Performance Monitor.

Press Win + R. Type:

perfmon /report

Hit Enter. It will create a System Diagnostics report. Look for warnings or errors. This is where Windows tells you what is causing problems — if you know where to look.

How to Increase Boot Speed: SSD Is the Real Game-Changer

If you are still rocking an old-school hard drive (HDD), no amount of tweaking will save you from slow boots like upgrading to an SSD will.

An SSD changes everything. Windows loads faster. Apps open quicker. The entire experience feels like night and day.

Enable Windows Fast Startup (Optional)

Not every setting is bad. Fast Startup, if it works for your system, can help boot speed.

Turn it on like this:

• Control Panel > Power Options
• Choose what the power buttons do
• Turn on fast startup

Give it a shot. Just remember — disable it again if things get weird.

Repair Windows Boot Problems: The Nuclear Option

If all else fails and your boot time is beyond bad, it might be time to repair Windows itself.

Boot from your Windows installation media. On the screen, click Next. Then select Repair your computer. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.

Let Windows handle the heavy lifting.

Run a Boot-Time Scan: Clean Things Deep

If malware keeps coming back or you want a super deep clean, run a boot-time scan.

Most antivirus tools offer this option. Prepare the scan, restart the computer, and let the scan run before Windows even loads. It is thorough. And sometimes necessary.

Check Boot Diagnostics: For the Tech Curious

Working with a virtual machine or using Azure? You can check boot diagnostics from the Azure portal. Navigate to Boot Diagnostics settings and review the logs. It is not for everyone — but it is there if you need it.

Solving General System Slowness

Boot time is one thing. But if your entire system feels like it is moving through molasses, do this:

• Restart your PC
• Close apps and browser tabs you do not need
• Keep only essential programs running

Simple. Effective. Sometimes less is more.

Final Thought

Slow boot times are a pain — but they are not a mystery. Windows gives you plenty of tools to speed things up. Cut unnecessary startup apps. Keep your system clean. Run scans. Update what matters. And if you really want that instant-on magic? Treat yourself to an SSD.

Because life is too short to wait for Windows to load.