Slow Boot and Startup in Windows 10/11 – Easy Ways to Fix [2025 Guide]

Introduction

Fix the Slow Boot and Startup Issue in Windows 10/11 is one of the most common problems faced by user.

Imagine you turn on your laptop early in the morning to start work, but it takes 3-5 minutes for Windows to start. This is very annoying.

Windows 10 slow boot and Windows 11 slow boot are very common problems, but the good thing is that they can be easily fixed. In this article, we will learn 12 proven solutions step-by-step to fix slow startup in Windows 10/11.

There is some reason behind Windows 10 and Windows 11 booting slowly.

First of all, it is important to understand why the startup of Windows is becoming slow and what the reason for this is.

•  Many startup programs are running automatically, Windows boots slowly.
• Windows also boots slowly due to old or outdated drivers.
• Windows boots slowly also due to pending Windows Update.
• Windows boots slowly also due to the presence of malware or a virus in the system.
• Windows also boots slowly due to a slow Hard Disk (HDD).
• Windows also boots slowly due to low or fragmented storage.
• Windows also boots slow due to wrong Fast Startup setting.

Now let’s move towards step-by-step solutions to fix the slow boot and startup issue in Windows 10/11.

 There are some ways to fix Windows 10/11 slow boot and startup.

1. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs

If more apps run during startup, then Windows 10/11 will have a slow boot and slow startup.

Disable it like this: –

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Open Task Manager
• Go to the Startup tab
• Apps that are not needed (like Spotify, OneDrive, Zoom) → Right-click → Disable.

Note: – This helps a lot in fixing Windows 10 slow startup.

2. Turn Off Fast Startup (Sometimes it causes slow boot and startup problem in Windows 10/11.)

Windows has a feature—Fast Startup. Sometimes it creates problems instead of increasing the speed. Due to which we have to face a lot of problems.

Turn it off like this: –

• Control Panel → Power Options

• Click on Choose what power button does

• Remove the check for Turn on Fast Startup.

3. Update Drivers

If the drivers are old, then Windows boot becomes slow. Especially the graphics, Darek drive, and chipset drivers. Due to which there is a lot of problems in booting the system.

Update like this: –

• Windows + X → Device Manager

•  The driver, which needs to be updated → Right-click → Update driver.

Note: – As we said in USB Not Recognized, you must check it out here once.

4. Free up storage by doing disk cleanup

If the C: drive is full, then it takes more time for Windows to start, or we face problems like slow boot and startup issues in Windows 10/11.

Clean like this: –

• Windows + R → type cleanmgr

• Delete Temp files, the recycle bin, and Old Windows files.

5. Check Windows Updates

Pending updates can also slow down boot.

Do this: –

• Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update
• Check for updates → Install.

6. Disable Background Services

Many times, services keep running on startup, which takes a lot of time for the system to boot; disable them.

Turn it off like this: –

• Windows + R → msconfig

• Services tab → Hide all Microsoft services

• Disable other unnecessary services.

7. Do a Malware and Virus Scan

Malware makes the system slow on startup.

 Solution: –

• Windows Security → Run Full Scan
• You can use Malwarebytes for extra security.

8. Optimize Hard Drive (for HDD Users)

If you have an HDD, then it is necessary to defragment it.

Steps: –

• 

• C: Drive → Optimize

Note: – SSD users do not need to defrag.

9. Enable Fast Startup (if disabled and system is healthy)

In some systems, turning on Fast Startup increases the boot speed, and this is a very good way to speed up your boot speed.

Steps: –

• Control Panel → Power Options → Enable Fast Startup

10. Perform Boot Clean

Only essential programs are loaded from Clean Boot.

Steps: –

• Windows + R → msconfig
• Services → Hide all Microsoft services → Disable all
• Restart

Note: – We have explained in step 6

11. Repair Corrupt Files

Corrupted files also cause slow boot.

Type in Command Prompt (Admin): –

• sfc /scannow

12.  Install SSD (Best Solution)

If you are still using HDD, then upgrading to SSD is the best solution.

• Installing SSD reduces boot time from 3 minutes to 10-15 seconds.

Extra Tips for Speeding Up Windows Boot.

1. Uninstall Unnecessary Apps.

Uninstall the software that is not useful.

2. Update Windows regularly.

Security and performance patches make boot fast. Update Windows from time to time.

3. Disable Visual Effects.

System > Advanced Settings > Performance → Choose “Adjust for best performance.”

 4. Use Lightweight Antivirus.

Heavy antivirus slows down boot. Use lightweight antivirus.

 5. Optimize Startup Programs.

Disable unnecessary apps from Task Manager → Startup tab.

 6. Enable Fast Startup.

Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what power buttons do → Enable Fast startup.

 7. Do Disk Cleanup.

Deleting temporary files makes boot fast.

 8. Keep Drivers Updated.

Outdated graphics/sound/network drivers slow down boot.

9. Manage Services.

Disable unnecessary background services from “msconfig.”

10. Install SSD.

Installing SSD instead of HDD drastically reduces boot time.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1. Why is Windows 10/11 booting very slowly?

 Because there are too many startup programs, outdated drivers, and HDD issues.

Q2. Will installing SSD increase boot speed?

Yes, installing SSD makes boot time 5–10 times faster.

Q3. Can all startup programs be disabled? 

You can disable non-essential apps, but do not disable antivirus.

 Q4. What is the Fast Startup feature, and should it be enabled?

This is a feature of Windows that saves some files in memory after shutdown so that the PC boots quickly next time. It should be enabled.

Q5. Can boot be slow due to HDD?

Yes, the read/write speed of HDD is much slower than SSD.

 Q6. Can a virus be the reason for a slow boot?

Absolutely, malware and heavy viruses slow down the PC a lot.

 Q7. Will increasing RAM make booting faster?

  Yes, increasing RAM will make Windows run smoother and boot faster.

Q8. Is it safe to disable Windows services?

It is safe but disable only non-essential services. Do not stop essential services.

Q9. Does regular driver updating improve boot speed?

Yes, especially graphics and chipset drivers should be kept updated.

Q10. Which antivirus is best for making boot time faster?

 Lightweight antivirus like Windows Defender or Kaspersky Security Cloud Free is better.

Conclusion

If your Windows 10 is booting slowly or Windows 11 is booting slowly, then try the 12 solutions given above in which we have explained step-by-step how to fix slow boot and startup issues in Windows 10/11.

The fastest and most permanent solution is to upgrade the SSD.

By following these methods step-by-step, your Windows startup will

be fixed, and the PC will boot faster than ever.

Note: – If the above solutions do not fix your slow boot and startup issue, you can also visit the official Microsoft Support page for further assistance.