Usually, Windows 11 is marked as lighting fast and more efficient than its predecessor. But a few users report that Windows 11 is very slow to start or takes longer than usual to boot. A buggy system build or unnecessary third-party apps running during Windows 11 startup usually causes slow startup times. Corrupt system files, limited system resources, or a virus/malware infection can also cause Windows 11 startup problems. Well, if you experience a Windows 11 slow boot problem, especially after a Windows update, here are some tweaks you can apply to make Windows 11 run faster.
How to Fix a Slow Startup on Windows 11
First, check and make sure if your PC meets the basic Windows 11 system requirements to make your computer run smoothly.
- Processor: 64-bit at 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores
- RAM: 4GB or more
- Storage: 64GB or larger
- Graphics card: DirectX 12 compatible or later with a WDDM 2.X driver
- Display: 9″ with HD Resolution (720p) or grater monitor
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
Scan for virus/malware infection
Your system may be infected with viruses or malware that corrupt files and slow Windows 11 boot time, along with other programs. We recommend perform a full system scan with the latest updated antivirus or anti-malware program.
You can also use third-party antivirus software to regularly scan and clean up your system. Alternatively, you can use the built-in Windows Defender to scan and remove viruses and malware from Windows 11.
Disable Apps at Windows 11 Startup
When you start your Windows 11 PC several unwanted programs or software services also start without your knowledge and that impact the boot speed of your PC. So, ensure to turn off unnecessary applications on startup for fast startup speed.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys simultaneously to open Task Manager,
- Go to the Startup tab; it displays the programs or services that start with Windows and their startup impact.
- Right-click the apps you want to disable at startup and select Disable.
Install the latest Windows Updates
Microsoft regularly releases Windows cumulative updates with security improvements and bug fixes to keep Windows fast and efficient. And to get the most from Windows 11 it’s always recommended to update the system build of your computer to the latest one.
- Press the Windows key + X and select the Settings app. Then click on Check for Updates.
- If new updates are available, click Download Now to download them from the Microsoft server and install them on your computer.
- Once done, you need reboot your system to apply them,
- After updating, check how fast or slow the startup is now.
Scan for Corrupt System Files
If Windows system files are corrupted, they can also slow the machine down or affect Windows 11 boot time. You can use the built-in System File Checker utility for scanning and fixing corrupt files automatically.
- Press the Windows key + S, type cmd. Right-click on Command Prompt and select run as administrator,
- First, run DISM RestoreHealth command to service and prepare Windows images
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth
- Next, run the System File Checker utility command sfc /scannow, which detects and replaces corrupt files with the correct ones in the component store of the Windows system image.
- It will take some time. So, be patient while the process runs.
Once done close the command prompt and restart your PC, check if the windows 11 startup time or boot time is faster than the previous time.
Disable Fast Startup
Windows Fast Startup was introduced to speed up boot time. But sometimes, it can cause a problem of Windows 11 slow startup. Many users report that disabling Fast Startup in Windows 11 improves boot time. Therefore, we recommend to turn off Fast Startup following the steps below and check the windows 11 startup time.
- Press the Windows key + R, type powercfg.cpl and click ok to open the Power Options window,
- On the left-hand panel, click on Choose what the Power Button Does.
- Next, click on Change Settings That are Currently Unavailable.
- And finally, uncheck the box next to Fast Startup under Shutdown settings,
- Now, click on Save Changes to confirm the changes.
- Reboot your PC and check. Now, the slow startup issue of Windows 11 will be fixed for sure.
Update Graphics Drivers
Device drivers play an important role in system performance. If you have outdated drivers on your Windows 11 PC, you might experience issues like blue screen errors, Windows 11 freezes, or longer boot times. Especially if you are using an outdated graphics card driver on Windows 11, it can also slow startup and cause numerous gaming problems for you. So here’s you can quickly update your graphics driver:
- Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager,
- This will display all installed device drivers; locate and expand Display adapters,
- Right-click on the graphics card that you are using, and select Update driver, then Search automatically for drivers.
- This will check Windows Update for the latest driver updates. If there’s an update, it will automatically download and install the latest driver version.
Perform A Clean boot of Windows 11
Perform a clean boot to start Windows 11 without third-party apps or services, which helps you determine whether any of those programs are causing the slow startup.
- Press the Windows key + R, type msconfig, and click ok, the System Configuration dialog box will open.
- Move to the Services tab, mark the box that reads Hide all Microsoft services, ” and click the option Disable All.
- Next, navigate to the Startup tab, then click on Open Task Manager.
- Right-click the apps you don’t want to open at startup and select Disable.
- Exit Task Manager and restart your PC.
This time your PC start only with essential services. If you notice clean boot improves the boot time you need to repeat this process by enabling each program or service to isolate the one responsible for slow boot times.
Enable Storage Sense
Temporary junk files can also slow down PC performance. Enable the Storage Sense feature that regularly deletes junk files, including previous installation files, temporary files from apps and more from your PC and speed up its performance
- Press the Windows key + I to open Settings, and then go to Storage,
- Under Storage management, toggle on the switch next to Storage Sense.
Use SSD Instead of HDD
If you are still using old HDD it’s time to replace the HDD with SSD. SSD means solid-state drivers use advanced technology and it’s much faster than HDD. Here, a post explains the real performance comparison between HDD and SSD. Well, you can consult with the tech experts of the brand of PC that you use and get an idea about whether SSD can be installed on your computer.
