Ever wondered why your laptop takes forever to boot up? It’s a common question and we’re here to help figure out what’s going on and how to speed things back up. There could be various reasons that a laptop gets slow over time, and we’ll be discussing the most common among them. From old hardware to Windows updates, we’ve got your back.
After understanding why laptops tend to run slowly, especially with older models, we’ll be exploring nine of the best ways to improve your Windows 10 laptop boot time. You won’t have to spend any money to implement these fixes, with the possible exception of a couple at the end.
Rest assured, we’re here to guide you through the process, and in no time, you’ll notice an improvement in your laptop’s boot speed.
Key Takeaways
- Identify and analyze common reasons for slow laptop boot-up times
- Learn effective methods to improve your Windows 10 laptop’s boot time
- Enhance laptop performance without spending a fortune on an upgrade
Common Reasons for Slow Laptop Boot Up
Older Hard Drive
One of the most common reasons for a slow laptop boot-up time, especially in older laptops, is the absence of a solid-state drive (SSD). Laptops purchased a few years ago are likely to have an older spindle hard drive, the kind that has spinning discs inside.
These drives use a mechanical arm to read information off each disk. While reliable, this technology is slow and causes longer boot-up times. The speed of your hard drive plays a crucial role, as it has to load everything needed from the Windows 10 operating system.
Windows Update
Another common reason for a slow laptop boot-up is Windows Update. In most cases, Windows Update works in the background, downloading and installing updates at a predetermined time. However, with laptops, users tend to close them down when they’re done for the day.
When you open it back up, Windows takes that as a cue to install the updates. So while you may think your boot up is taking a long time, it might actually be the Windows 10 update causing the wait. If you see an update image during boot up, that’s likely what’s happening.
Programs Loaded at Boot
Finally, having many programs loaded at boot can contribute to a laptop slowing down over time. Background applications like Skype, game launchers, and virus scanners can impact not only boot time but also everyday tasks.
Over time, as you use your computer, more programs find their way into your startup and can slow your computer down. It’s important to be aware of what programs are starting up with your laptop and disable those you don’t necessarily need during the boot process.
Ways to Improve Windows 10 Laptop Boot Time
Update Windows
We recommend making sure that Windows is up to date to improve your laptop’s performance. To check for updates, go to the search bar on the Windows desktop, type “windows update,” and open the settings.
From here, you can see if there are any available updates, when the last update check was performed, and what updates are pending. Updating Windows helps fix bugs within the system and improves performance for newer laptops with updated hardware.
Free Your Laptop From Malware and Viruses
Laptop performance can be slowed down by malware and viruses, so it’s essential to have virus protection on your system.
We recommend downloading a program like Malwarebytes, which offers both free and paid versions, to scan your laptop and remove any potential threats.
Managing Startup Programs
Many laptops slow down due to a large number of programs loading when they boot up. These can range from apps like Skype, game launchers, or virus scanners that automatically load on startup.
To increase boot time, we should identify which programs are necessary during startup and disable the unnecessary ones.
Task Manager and Disabling Programs
To manage startup programs, we’ll use the Task Manager. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and click on the “Task Manager” button. Under the “Startup” tab, you’ll see a list of programs that load during boot.
Be mindful of which programs are essential and which are unnecessary, then selectively disable the ones that aren’t needed. The Task Manager also shows your last BIOS boot time so you can gauge any improvements after making adjustments.
Checking Power Plan Settings
Windows 10 laptops often have energy-saving settings that could hinder performance, especially when running on battery power. To check and adjust these settings, search “power plan” in the Windows search bar and click on “Choose or customize a power plan.”
For optimal performance, choose the balanced plan.
Advanced Power Settings
To further optimize laptop performance during boot, go to “Change advanced power settings” within the power plan settings. Adjust the “processor power management” settings, ensuring that the maximum processor state is set to 100% for both battery and plugged-in usage.
Fast Startup
Windows 10 has a setting called Fast Startup, which could potentially reduce boot time. However, it may cause slowdowns on some devices, so it’s worth experimenting with. To enable or disable this setting, go to “Choose what the power button does” in the power plan settings and compare boot times with Fast Startup on and off.
