A slow startup can be frustrating and waste valuable time. Over the life of your Windows installation, unnecessary programs, services, and misconfigurations can bloat the startup process. This guide walks you through 12 proven methods for optimizing your Windows startup speed, with clear steps for both beginners and advanced users.
Beginner-Friendly Startup Optimization Methods
1. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs via Task Manager
Many programs set themselves to launch at startup, slowing down boot time.
Step-by-step:
1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Go to the Startup tab.
3. Check the “Startup impact” column for high-impact items.
4. Select unnecessary programs, right-click, and choose Disable.
Example: If you see Spotify or Zoom set to launch every time your PC starts, disabling them can save several seconds.
2. Use Glary Utilities’ Startup Manager
Glary Utilities offers a more detailed view of startup items than Task Manager, including hidden entries and scheduled tasks.
Step-by-step:
1. Open Glary Utilities.
2. Go to Advanced Tools > Startup Manager.
3. Review each tab (Startup Items, Scheduled Tasks, Plug-ins).
4. Disable or delay startup entries that are not essential.
Benefit: Delaying certain programs using Glary’s “Delay Load” option can significantly improve boot time without losing functionality.
3. Keep Windows Updated
Updates often improve performance and fix boot-related bugs.
Step-by-step:
1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates and install available patches.
4. Reduce Windows Animations
Windows animations can make the system feel slower during startup login.
Step-by-step:
1. Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Go to the Advanced tab, click Settings under Performance.
3. Select Adjust for best performance or manually uncheck visual effects like “Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing.”
5. Clean Temporary Files Before Shutdown
Removing junk data ensures faster system readiness.
Using Glary Utilities:
1. Open the 1-Click Maintenance tool.
2. Check Temporary Files Cleaner.
3. Click Scan and then Repair to clear junk.
Intermediate to Advanced Optimization Methods
6. Optimize Boot Settings via System Configuration
Step-by-step:
1. Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
2. Under the Boot tab, check No GUI boot for a quicker startup screen.
3. If you have a multi-core CPU, click Advanced options and set the maximum number of processors.
7. Disable Unnecessary Services
Step-by-step:
1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Sort by Startup Type.
3. Review services running automatically that are not required.
4. Right-click and set Startup type to Manual for non-essential services.
Caution: Do not disable critical Windows services such as Windows Update or Security Center.
8. Manage Startup Apps from Windows Settings
Step-by-step:
1. Press Windows + I.
2. Go to Apps > Startup.
3. Turn off toggles for apps that you do not need running when Windows starts.
9. Enable Fast Startup in Windows
Step-by-step:
1. Press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter.
2. Go to Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.
3. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
4. Enable Turn on fast startup (recommended) and save changes.
Example: This can cut boot times by combining hibernation and shutdown processes.
10. Check for Malware and Unwanted Software
Malware often injects itself into startup routines.
Using Glary Utilities:
1. Open Glary Utilities > Advanced Tools.
2. Use the Malware Removal tool to scan for threats.
3. Remove any detected malicious programs.
11. Defragment or Optimize Drives
Step-by-step:
1. Press Windows + S and type Defragment and Optimize Drives.
2. Select your drive and click Optimize.
Tip: For SSDs, this process runs a TRIM command, which maintains speed.
12. Review Scheduled Tasks for Hidden Startup Delays
Step-by-step:
1. Press Windows + R, type taskschd.msc, press Enter.
2. Expand Task Scheduler Library and review triggers that run “At log on” or “At startup.”
3. Disable non-essential tasks.
Example: An unnecessary software update checker might add 10–15 seconds to logon time.
By combining built-in Windows tools with the advanced capabilities of Glary Utilities, you can ensure your system starts faster, feels more responsive, and avoids unnecessary delays. These methods, when applied regularly, help maintain peak performance over the long term.