Computers have evolved significantly from the old beige boxes, yet even with processing speeds measured in gigahertz and data transfer rates in gigabytes per second, I’ve noticed that there can still be some waiting involved. This is particularly true when I power on my computer from a complete shutdown. For years, I attempted various methods to speed up the boot time, but now I’m convinced I’ve discovered the solution.
If you’re frustrated by how long it takes your computer to boot into Windows while you could be solving Rubik’s Cubes, there are probably some problems to fix. Here are several techniques I’ve found that can accelerate the boot process, allowing you to begin working (or gaming) more quickly.
1. Activate Windows’ Fast Startup Feature
Windows offers a function known as Fast Startup, which does precisely what its name suggests, making it a logical first step in your efforts. This feature may be enabled by default on your device, but if it has been disabled at any point—or if it wasn’t activated on your custom-built desktop—turning it back on is quite straightforward.
Access the Control Panel in Icon view and select Power Options. On the sidebar, click Choose what the power buttons do. In the options list, you should see a checkbox for Turn on fast startup. If this option is grayed out, you’ll need to click on Change settings that are currently unavailable at the top of that window first, then enable the Fast Startup option. Don’t forget to click Save changes afterward.
Essentially, this feature acts as an intermediary state between hibernation and complete shutdown. The next time you power off your PC, it won’t save any open applications as hibernation does, but the underlying operating system will enter hibernation mode, which helps you boot up more quickly with a clean slate. Rebooting remains unaffected, so if you encounter issues with Windows Update or accessing your BIOS, you may need to restart your PC to carry out those tasks.
2. Modify Your UEFI/BIOS Settings
Some systems have a Fast Boot option within the BIOS. Unlike Windows’ Fast Startup, the Fast Boot setting skips some of the initial checks that the computer carries out during startup. Individuals who frequently access the BIOS—such as overclockers—might prefer to keep this disabled, but most users would likely benefit from enabling it if it isn’t already switched on.
To activate this option, restart your computer and press the designated key during the startup screen to enter the BIOS setup. The specific key will vary based on the make and model of your computer. Look for any fast boot settings (or similar terminology) in the menu and enable it. Each motherboard varies, so explore your UEFI/BIOS settings to see if there are additional features you can turn on or off to enhance boot speed.
Some experts suggest adjusting your Boot Order Priority so that your hard drive is at the top of the list, instead of a DVD drive or network boot, but I have never found this to make a significant difference. If you’re uncertain, consult your motherboard’s manufacturer or the manual that came with your computer for guidance.
3. Reduce Startup Programs
The greater number of programs set to launch at startup, the longer it can take for your computer to become usable when it boots up. Some of these startup applications may need to run continuously, but many likely do not. To view which programs start on boot, press Ctrl-Shift-Esc to open the Task Manager. Click on More details at the bottom, then navigate to the Startup tab (Windows 10) or select the Startup apps category (Windows 11).
You’ll find a list of programs that launch alongside your computer, along with Windows’ estimates of how much they impact boot time. (You’ll also see “Last BIOS Time” in the upper-right corner—this indicates how long it takes for your BIOS to transfer control to Windows, so if this number exceeds a few seconds, you may want to re-evaluate the BIOS settings as described earlier. In some cases, it could simply indicate a slow motherboard.)
If you encounter a program on this list that you don’t require at startup—particularly one that significantly affects startup performance—navigate to that program’s settings and disable the option to start it with Windows. (In my view, Dropbox justifies its startup impact since it’s best kept running at all times, unlike the Epic Games Launcher, which I believe doesn’t need to open with your PC.)
If there’s no option within the program’s settings to manage its startup behavior, you can turn it off from the Task Manager window to stop it from launching during boot. Alternatively, you can go to Settings > Apps > Startup and disable any applications you prefer not to launch at startup.
Another alternative is to access File Explorer and input %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup in the address bar to access your Startup folder. Shortcuts placed in this folder will automatically start when the system boots, so if you spot something here that you don’t want to run, simply remove it from the folder.
4. Allow Windows Updates to Run When You’re Not Using the Computer
When Windows installs an update, it requires time to process those updates during shutdown—and often during the next startup. If you find the “Getting Windows Ready” message frustrating when all you want to do is play games, you should configure active hours to allow Windows to perform updates during times you’re not using the PC—this entails enabling your machine to run automatic updates.
To accomplish this in Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Change Active Hours, and click the Change button. In Windows 11, navigate to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options, then select Active hours and adjust the drop-down to Manually. Indicate to Windows the times you typically use the device most—like from 9 AM to 5 PM—and it will schedule automatic updates and reboots outside those hours, when the system is more likely to be inactive.
5. Consider Upgrading to a Solid-State Drive
Most modern computers are now equipped with solid-state drives instead of the outdated mechanical hard drives, as they are significantly quicker. If you still operate an older computer with a traditional hard drive, it’s time to consider an internal upgrade. Not only will applications start almost instantaneously compared to your old hard drive, but your computer will also boot much faster.
Any desktop with a spinning disk should be relatively simple to upgrade to a 2.5-inch SSD. Our guide can assist you in transferring your Windows installation to an SSD if you’d prefer not to start fresh. You’ll need to research how to open your specific computer model and swap out the drive, as this can differ from one machine to another. Fortunately, for most computers, you’ll only need a screwdriver (and maybe a torx bit).
6. Simply Use Sleep Mode
The fact is: Starting up from scratch will always take longer than resuming from sleep. If you’re annoyed by the duration it takes to power up your computer, think about just using sleep mode instead—that’s my preference. Sleep might consume slightly more power compared to a complete shutdown, but the difference in electricity costs is minimal. Putting your computer to sleep may also allow it to be awakened by rogue background applications, but we provide a guide to address that.
Nevertheless, shutting down has its importance as well. For instance, if I’m placing my laptop in my bag for travel, I would likely want to shut it down entirely. However, the more frequently you use sleep mode, the less you will need to be concerned about that troublesome startup time.
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