How to Reduce Windows Startup Time

When you press the power button on a computer, the basic input/output system (BIOS) loaded on the motherboard launches and boots the operating system saved to your hard drive. As the operating system launches, the system begins various start-up system processes. The more processes the system loads upon start up, the longer it will typically take the computer to become responsive after you power it on. There are a some easy ways to potentially reduce Windows start-up time.

Instructions

Defragment the Hard Drive

1. Click "Start," type "Disk Defragmenter" into the search box, and then click "Disk Defragmenter."

2. Click the disk you want to defragment in the list, and then click "Analyze Disk." Wait for the disk analysis to complete and display a fragmentation percentage.

3. Click "Defragment Disk" if the fragmentation reported exceeds 10 percent.

Unnecessary Start Up Processes

1. Click "Start," type "msconfig" into the search bar, and then press "Enter."

2. Click the "Startup" tab.

3. Uncheck the boxes next to unnecessary start up programs in the list, and then click "Apply." Only uncheck boxes next to programs that you recognize as unnecessary, such as those you installed yourself after purchasing your PC. Canceling vital system processes or antivirus software may affect system stability.

Tips & Warnings

• Disk defragmenting can improve overall system performance.

• Installing additional random access memory (RAM) may improve start-up speed.

References

• PCHell: How to Speed Up Windows Boot Time
• Microsoft: Optimize Windows 7 for Better Performance
• Microsoft: Improve Performance by Defragmenting Your Hard Disk