Windows 11 Slow Boot after update | 7 ways to Speed up Windows PC boot time

Slow boot times in Windows 11 can be frustrating, but there are several steps you can take to diagnose and fix the issue. Here are some effective methods to improve boot performance:

Disable Startup Programs

Unnecessary startup programs can significantly slow down your boot time. To disable them:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click on the Startup tab.
3. Right-click and disable any programs you don't need to start automatically with Windows.

Enable Fast Startup

Fast Startup combines hibernation and shutdown features to reduce boot times:

1. Open Control Panel and go to Hardware and Sound.
2. Click on Power Options and then Choose what the power buttons do.
3. Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
4. Under Shutdown settings, check the Turn on fast startup (recommended) box.

Update Drivers

Outdated or incompatible drivers can cause slow boot times. Ensure all your drivers are up to date:

1. Open Settings and go to Windows Update.
2. Click on Check for updates.
3. Alternatively, you can visit the manufacturer's website to download and install the latest drivers.

Check for Malware

Malware can cause various performance issues, including slow boot times. Use Windows Security or a reputable third-party antivirus to scan and remove any malware:

1. Open Settings and go to Privacy & security.
2. Click on Windows Security and then Virus & threat protection.
3. Click Quick scan or Full scan.

Optimize the Disk

Disk fragmentation can slow down the boot process. Optimize your disk by performing a defragmentation:

1. Open File Explorer and right-click on the system drive (usually C:).
2. Select Properties.
3. Go to the Tools tab and click on Optimize.

Adjust Virtual Memory

Inadequate virtual memory settings can impact performance:

1. Open Settings and go to System.
2. Click on About and then Advanced system settings.
3. In the System Properties window, go to the Advanced tab and click on Settings under the Performance section.
4. Go to the Advanced tab in the Performance Options window and click on Change under Virtual memory.
5. Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives, select the system drive, and set the appropriate virtual memory size.

Update Windows

Ensure you have the latest updates installed, as they often contain performance improvements and bug fixes:

1. Open Settings and go to Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates and install any available updates.

Disable Visual Effects

Disabling some of the visual effects can improve performance:

1. Open Settings and go to System.
2. Click on About and then Advanced system settings.
3. In the System Properties window, go to the Advanced tab and click on Settings under the Performance section.
4. Select Adjust for best performance or manually disable specific visual effects.

If your system is still slow, it might be due to hardware limitations. Consider upgrading to an SSD if you are using an HDD, or adding more RAM if your system has less than 8GB.