Why Your PC Takes too long to Start [And 6 Easy Settings to Fix It]

Is there anything worse than sitting down to work, pressing the power button, and then... waiting? You stare at that spinning circle, sip your coffee, maybe check your phone, and your PC still hasn't fully loaded.

It’s not just annoying; it’s a productivity killer. But here is the secret: your computer isn't necessarily "old" or "broken." It’s likely just trying to do too much at once.

In this guide, I’m going to show you exactly why your PC takes forever to start and the specific settings you can change right now to fix it. No expensive upgrades required—just a few smart tweaks to get your machine running like new again.

1. Stop Windows from Reopening "Restartable" Apps

By default, Windows acts a bit like a possessive assistant—it remembers exactly what you were doing before you shut down and tries to bring it all back. If you had Edge or Notepad open, Windows will relaunch them automatically.

If you prefer a clean slate (like I do), here is how to turn that off:

• Click the Start button and head to Settings.
• Select Accounts from the sidebar and click Sign-In Options.
• Scroll down to "Additional Settings."
• Toggle OFF the option that says: "Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in."

2. Prevent Old Folders from Popping Up

Even after fixing the apps above, you might notice File Explorer windows popping up like zombies from your last session. This clutters your desktop immediately. (ads)

Let’s keep your desktop clean:

• Open File Explorer.
• Click the three-dot menu (See More) and select Options.
• Switch to the View tab.
• Under Advanced Settings, uncheck "Restore previous folder windows at log-on."
• Click Apply and OK.

3. The "Fast Startup" Paradox

This sounds counterintuitive, but sometimes the feature designed to make your PC faster actually slows it down. "Fast Startup" saves session data to your disk to help Windows boot quicker, but it can cause glitches where background services get stuck in a loop. (ads)

If your PC feels sluggish, try disabling this hybrid mode:

• Open the Control Panel via Windows Search.
• Go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
• Click "Choose what the power buttons do."
• Select "Change Settings that are currently unavailable."
• Uncheck Turn on Fast Startup and save your changes.

4. Audit Your Startup Apps List

Some apps are sneaky. They install themselves into your startup list without asking, launching silently every time you boot up. This is the most common cause of a slow PC.

Here is how to fire them:

• Right-click the Start button and select Task Manager.
• Click the Startup Apps tab (it looks like a speedometer icon).
• Look for apps with "High" impact that you don't need immediately.
• Right-click them and hit Disable.

Pro Tip: Don't disable anything related to audio, graphics drivers, or security!

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5. Silence the Background Resource Hogs

Just because an app isn't open on your screen doesn't mean it isn't eating up your RAM. Many apps run silently in the background, waiting for you to need them. (ads)

To reclaim your system resources:

• Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.

• Click the three dots next to a heavy app and choose Advanced Options.

• Find "Background Apps Permissions" and switch it to Never.

6. The Registry Edit (For Stubborn Apps)

If you have tried everything and certain apps still insist on launching, we need to go to the "Nuclear Option"—the Registry Editor. This enforces your rules system-wide. (ads)

Warning: Be careful when editing the registry! Follow these steps exactly.

• Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
• Navigate to this path:
  
  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

• Right-click in the right pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

• Name it RestartApps and ensure the value is set to 0.

To undo this later, simply change that value back to 1.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my computer so slow when I first turn it on?

This is usually caused by "Startup Apps"—programs configured to launch automatically the moment Windows loads. They compete for processor speed and memory (RAM) simultaneously, causing a bottleneck that slows down everything else.

Does disabling startup apps improve performance?

Yes, absolutely. By disabling non-essential apps, you free up system resources (CPU and RAM). This not only speeds up your boot time but also makes your computer feel snappier once it is running, as there are fewer background processes dragging it down.

How do I see what is slowing down my PC startup?

The best tool is the built-in Task Manager. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to the Startup tab, and look at the "Startup Impact" column. It will tell you exactly which apps are having a "High," "Medium," or "Low" impact on your boot time.

Is "Fast Startup" good or bad for Windows 11?

It depends. While designed to speed up boot times, "Fast Startup" can sometimes cause issues with updates or prevent the system from fully clearing out temporary data. If your PC acts glitchy or refuses to shut down completely, disabling Fast Startup is often the best fix.

Conclusion

Nobody should have to wait ten minutes just to open a web browser. By taking control of these settings—stopping restartable apps, clearing out the startup list, and managing background activity—you aren't just saving time; you are taking care of your hardware.

If you have tried all these software tweaks and things are still sluggish, it might be time to look at your hardware (an upgrade from an HDD to an SSD works miracles). But for most of us, a little digital spring cleaning is all it takes.

Did these tips shave a few seconds off your boot time? Let me know in the comments below!