What Causes Slow Boot Times?
How to Fix Slow Boot Times in Windows?
Check your computer for errors that might increase your boot time. Then optimize your settings and consider your hardware.
Use of an HDD: An operating system installed on an HDD will boot more slowly than on a standard SSD. Putting your OS on an m.2 drive will make your boot times even faster. While your other hardware plays a role, the hard drive setup is one of the most significant factors in boot times.Wrong Settings: One of your settings isn’t optimized for a fast boot time. You can swap a few things around to increase the speed at which your computer starts up.System Overload: You’re trying to load too many programs when Windows starts. Reducing the number of tasks Windows has to accomplish on startup can help speed things up.Faulty Drivers: A bad or corrupt driver can increase boot time by creating a hang point while it attempts to start successfully.Corrupted Windows Files: Damaged or missing files in your operating system can also create slower boot times.
Whatever the source of the problem, you can improve your boot times by troubleshooting, identifying the cause, and fixing it.
Scan for Errors
Windows has a few errors scans you can run to find problems in your system. You should check the system files and hard drives and run a hardware and devices troubleshooter. Doing these tests will help eliminate common problems so that you can focus on other issues – or fix errors as they appear.
System File Checker
System File Checker runs a scan to ensure all the files your operating system needs are present and accounted for. If they aren’t, it can often repair and replace what’s damaged without any additional work on your part.Once the scan is complete, try rebooting to see whether it’s faster now than it was before.
CHKDSK
CHKDSK scans your disk drive for errors. It can also repair some problems it finds during the scans. Problems with your drives could be preventing your computer from booting more quickly.Your hard disk should be good to go if it doesn’t find errors or fixes what it finds. However, if it finds many errors it can’t fix or many corrupt files, it might be time to replace your hard drive.
Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
Another general-purpose troubleshooter that might help you is the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter. This utility requires using a PowerShell or Command Prompt window to run. Fixes can be as minor as restarting your computer to apply driver updates. No matter how mundane, follow the instructions to see whether it can fix your slow boot times.
Reduce the Workload
You don’t need every program on your computer to come to life when you start it up. Instead, curate your list and only have the ones you use every time active during the boot process.Now only the apps you’ve left enabled will start with the PC.
Toggle Fast Startup
For most people, Fast Startup makes their computer start faster by not shutting it down to an actual powered-off state. It’s OK to keep it on or off – it’s pure preference. However, you should try it both ways since, despite the name, it has created startup slowdowns for some users.Take note of how long it takes with the setting enabled and disabled. Leave it on the one that gives you the best startup time.
Change Your Paging File Allocation
Your paging file settings determine how much of your storage can be used as virtual memory. Virtual memory comes into play when your RAM is all being used, and Windows still needs more memory. Unfortunately, sometimes the paging file allocation settings can increase your boot time.If this helps fix the slow booting issue, you’ll notice immediately as the system restarts.
Update Your Drivers
You should attempt to automatically update your drivers, especially if you haven’t lately. Driver updates can help fix issues in your system, especially if one of them is what’s keeping your system from booting quickly.You can also download the latest drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website. For your GPU, updating the drivers from the NVIDIA and AMD management software is best.
Upgrade Your Equipment
Another option you have is upgrading to a faster hard drive. You can choose an SSD instead of an HDD to get a boost. It can cut your boot time in half.
Try a Refresh Installation
You can also try completely reinstalling your Windows installation if you still have issues. When your boot times are slower than they should be, it may help you get them faster. However, it’s a long process; you’ll have to back up your files and reinstall all the programs that aren’t bundled with Windows.
Why is My PC Taking So Long to Boot?
If you’ve eliminated all the other issues, look at the storage on your boot drive. Is it getting close to being completely full? If it is, that might be one of your problems. The hard drive might operate quite as effectively if it’s full. Move some files to other drives, delete what you don’t need, and then try booting again.
How Long Should Windows 10 Take to Boot?
It depends on your system specs. A swift build with all the correct settings might boot in less than ten seconds. Other setups could take up to a minute.
