A slow startup can be frustrating, but fortunately, there are several effective methods to optimize Windows startup times. In this guide, we’ll walk through practical, step-by-step techniques to help your PC boot faster.
1. Disable Startup Programs
Many applications set themselves to launch at startup, which can slow down your PC. Here’s how to disable unnecessary startup programs:
– Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
– Click on the “Startup” tab. You’ll see a list of programs that start with Windows.
– Review the list and identify programs you don’t need immediately after booting. Common examples include Skype, Spotify, or Adobe Creative Cloud.
– Right-click on the unnecessary program and select “Disable.”
– Repeat this process for all non-essential programs.
2. Use Glary Utilities to Manage Startup Items
Glary Utilities provides a more advanced solution to manage startup items effectively:
– Download and install Glary Utilities from the official website.
– Open Glary Utilities and click on “Startup Manager” in the main interface.
– You’ll see a list of all startup items, including those hidden from Task Manager.
– Disable unnecessary entries by unchecking them. Glary Utilities also provides recommendations about which programs are safe to disable.
– Click “Apply” to confirm the changes.
3. Enable Fast Startup
Fast Startup combines elements of a cold shutdown and hibernation, which can speed up boot times:
– Type “Control Panel” in the Windows search bar and open it.
– Navigate to “Hardware and Sound” and then “Power Options.”
– Click on “Choose what the power buttons do” on the left panel.
– Select “Change settings that are currently unavailable.”
– Under “Shutdown settings,” check the box for “Turn on fast startup.”
– Click “Save changes” to enable this feature.
4. Update Windows and Drivers
Outdated software and drivers can slow down your startup. Keep them updated for optimal performance:
– Go to “Settings” > “Update & Security” > “Windows Update.”
– Click on “Check for updates” and allow Windows to install any available updates.
– For drivers, you can use Glary Utilities’ “Driver Manager” to easily find and update outdated drivers.
5. Defragment and Optimize Drives
Regular disk defragmentation helps improve startup speed by reorganizing fragmented data:
– Type “Defragment” in the Windows search bar and select “Defragment and Optimize Drives.”
– Select your primary drive (usually C:) and click “Optimize.”
– Windows will analyze and defragment the drive if necessary.
6. Reduce Boot Menu Timeout
– Press Win + R, type “msconfig,” and hit Enter.
– In the System Configuration window, go to the “Boot” tab.
– Change the “Timeout” value from 30 seconds to a lower number like 10 seconds.
– Click “OK” and restart your computer to apply the changes.
By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the time it takes for your Windows PC to start up. Glary Utilities is a particularly powerful tool in this process, offering a user-friendly interface and additional features that go beyond basic Windows tools. Regular maintenance using these methods will keep your PC running smoothly and efficiently.