How to Fix Windows 10 Start-Up Issues: Speed Up a Slow Start-Up and Resolve Freezes

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A slow or freezing start-up can be frustrating, impacting your productivity and overall user experience. Several factors can contribute to these issues, including excessive startup programs, outdated drivers, and system file corruption. Addressing these problems involves a combination of troubleshooting steps and system optimizations. This guide provides practical solutions to fix slow start-up and freezing issues in Windows 10, helping you achieve a faster and smoother boot process.

Fix Windows 10 start-up Running Slow

1. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs

Too many programs launching at start-up can significantly slow down your boot time.

  • Open Task Manager:

    • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Navigate to the “Startup” tab.

  • Review and Disable Programs:

    • Identify programs with high startup impact. Right-click on each unnecessary program and select “Disable.” Focus on programs you don’t need immediately upon start-up.

  • Restart Your Computer:

    • Restart to apply changes and check if the start-up time improves.

2. Update Drivers

Outdated or incompatible drivers can cause slow start-up and freezing issues.

  • Open Device Manager:

    • Press Windows + X and select “Device Manager.”

  • Update Drivers:

    • Expand the categories and right-click on devices, particularly those with a yellow exclamation mark. Select “Update driver” and choose “Search automatically for updated driver software.”

  • Visit Manufacturer Websites:

    • For critical components like graphics cards and network adapters, visit the manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest drivers.

3. Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

Corrupted system files can lead to performance issues. Running repair tools can resolve these problems.

  • Run SFC:

    • Open Command Prompt as Administrator (Windows + X > Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin)) and enter:
      sfc /scannow
    • Wait for the scan to complete and follow any prompts to repair corrupted files.

  • Run DISM:

    • In Command Prompt as Administrator, run:
      DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
    • Allow DISM to complete its process and rerun SFC if needed.

4. Optimize and Defragment the Hard Drive

Fragmented files and low disk space can slow down your system.

  • Run Disk Cleanup:

    • Press Windows + S, type “Disk Cleanup,” and select the tool. Choose the drive to clean and select the file types to delete. Click “OK” and then “Delete Files.”

  • Defragment and Optimize Drives:

    • Press Windows + S, type “Defragment and Optimize Drives,” and select the tool. Choose your primary drive (usually C:) and click “Optimize.” This will defragment and optimize your drive.

5. Check for Malware

Malware and viruses can affect system performance and cause freezing issues.

  • Run Windows Defender Scan:

    • Go to Settings > “Update & Security” > “Windows Security” > “Virus & Threat Protection.” Click “Quick Scan” or “Full Scan” for a more thorough check.

  • Use Third-Party Antivirus:

    • If you have third-party antivirus software, perform a full system scan to check for any malicious software.

6. Disable Fast Startup

Fast Startup can sometimes cause issues with start-up performance.

  • Open Power Options:

    • Press Windows + R, type control, and press Enter. Go to “Hardware and Sound” > “Power Options.”

  • Change Settings:

    • Click “Choose what the power buttons do” and then “Change settings that are currently unavailable.” Uncheck “Turn on fast startup (recommended)” and click “Save changes.”

  • Restart Your Computer:

    • Restart to see if disabling Fast Startup improves boot times.

7. Check for Windows Updates

Installing the latest updates can fix performance issues and bugs.

  • Check for Updates:
    • Go to Settings > “Update & Security” > “Windows Update” and click “Check for updates.” Install any available updates and restart your computer if prompted.

8. Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot helps identify if background services or startup programs are causing slow start-ups.

  • Open System Configuration:

    • Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.

  • Configure Clean Boot:

    • In the “Services” tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services” and then click “Disable all.” In the “Startup” tab, click “Open Task Manager” and disable all startup items.

  • Restart Your Computer:

    • Restart to see if the issue persists. If the start-up improves, re-enable services and startup items one by one to identify the culprit.

9. Check for System Errors and Perform a Startup Repair

System errors or corrupted boot files can lead to slow start-ups and freezes.

  • Perform Startup Repair:

    • Go to Settings > “Update & Security” > “Recovery” and click “Restart now” under “Advanced startup.” Choose “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced options” > “Startup Repair.”

  • Follow Instructions:

    • Follow the on-screen instructions to allow Windows to diagnose and repair start-up issues.

Conclusion

A slow start-up and freezing issues in Windows 10 can stem from various factors, including excessive startup programs, outdated drivers, and system file corruption. By following these solutions, you can significantly improve your computer's boot time and resolve freezing issues. Regular maintenance, such as updating drivers and managing startup programs, will help keep your system running smoothly and efficiently. If problems persist, consider seeking professional assistance or performing a system reset as a last resort.