Full Guide to Fix Windows 10 Slow Boot After Update
To fix a slow boot time in Windows 10, try updating your operating system, disabling startup programs, and checking for malware, as these can significantly slow down the boot process. Additionally, consider running a disk cleanup, disabling unnecessary services, and checking for driver updates, as these can also contribute to a slow boot. If none of these solutions work, you can try resetting Windows 10 to its default settings or seeking professional help from a computer technician.
| Workable Solutions | Step-by-step Troubleshooting |
|---|---|
| Fix 1. Run Windows Defender to remove virus | If the virus infects your computer and makes it run slow, you can go to "Settings" > "Update & Security"...Full steps |
| Fix 2. Disable unnecessary startup programs in Task Manager | Too many startup programs will slow down the computer. Right-click the taskbar, choose "Task Manager"...Full steps |
| Fix 3. Upgrade the system disk from HDD to SSD | If your system disk is an old HDD, you can fix Windows 10 slow boot issue by upgrading HDD to SSD...Full steps |
| Fix 4. Defragment hard drive | Defragmentation is a process that rearranges scattered pieces of data on a hard drive into contiguous blocks, improving read and write speeds by reducing the time it takes to access files. This can lead to faster overall system performance, especially in older systems or those with heavy usage. By consolidating data, defragmentation can also help extend the lifespan of a hard drive by reducing mechanical stress and wear on the drive's moving parts.defrag in the search bar...Full steps |
| More effective solutions | Run SFC > update graphics driver > change boot order > increase the Page File Size > upgrade to SSD...Full steps |
Why Does Windows 10 Slow Boot After Update
The Windows update can cause a slow boot issue, and some known culprits include. However, before addressing the issue, it's essential to understand why your Windows boot is slow after the update. Once you're aware of the possible causes, you can proceed to the fixes.
- Malware or spyware
- Windows startup programs
- Fragmented files
- Corrupted system files
- Incompatibility between your current drivers and the Windows 10 update
- Incorrect configuration in BIOS
If you're experiencing a slow boot issue on your Windows 10 computer, try updating to the latest version of Windows first, as updates often include fixes for known issues. To do this, check for and install any available Windows updates. If this doesn't resolve the issue, consider checking for and removing any unnecessary startup programs, disabling any unnecessary startup services, and checking for and removing any malware. Additionally, you can try running a disk cleanup, checking for and repairing disk errors, and running a System File Checker scan to ensure your system files are up-to-date and not corrupted. If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may want to consider seeking further assistance or running a more in-depth system diagnostic.
Step 1. Click "Start" and type update.
Step 2. Choose "Check for updates".
Step 3. Windows will show you the new updates available. Click "Install now" to update your Windows.
If there's no Windows update available or the update fails to fix the Windows 10 booting slow issue, there are other methods you can try to troubleshoot the problem.
Tip 1. Remove Virus/Malware to Fix Slow Startup Windows 10
Viruses and malware can attack your computer in various ways, such as deleting files, encrypting folders, and slowing down your computer. To scan for potential viruses or malware, you can use either Windows Defender or the anti-virus software you've installed. To use Windows Defender, you can follow the steps to run a scan and identify any threats, helping to protect your computer and data.
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Windows Security".
Step 2. Click "Virus & threat protection".
Step 3. In the "Threat history" section, click "Scan now" to initiate a virus scan on your computer.
Step 4. If your computer has viruses or malware, follow the on-screen instructions to remove them.
Tip 2. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs in Task Manager
A startup program is a utility that runs automatically when your computer boots up. Some programs are enabled as startup programs during installation, often without your notice. The more startup programs you have, the longer it takes to boot your computer, so disabling unnecessary ones can help speed up the process. By disabling unwanted startup programs, you can optimize your Windows 10 computer's boot time.
Step 1. Right-click any space on your taskbar and choose "Task Manager".
Step 2. In the "Task Manager" window, go to the "Startup" tab.
Step 3. Remove unnecessary programs from startup by selecting them and clicking "Disable".
Tip 3. Upgrade to SSD to Speed Up Startup Windows 10
Upgrading to an SSD can significantly improve your computer's boot time, making it faster and more efficient, especially when compared to a mechanical hard drive. By switching to an SSD, you can experience an immediate improvement in performance, even if it means sacrificing some storage capacity. This upgrade can also help Windows 10 boot up more quickly.
You can migrate your OS to an SSD using the Qiling partition manager software without having to reinstall Windows. This allows you to transfer your operating system and all your data to a solid-state drive, making it a convenient and efficient way to upgrade your computer's storage.
Steps to migrate OS to HDD/SSD:
- Run Qiling Partition Master, select Migrate OS from the top menu.
- Select the SSD or HDD as the destination disk and click "Next".
- Be aware that the process will erase data and partitions on the target disk, so make sure to back up any important data before proceeding. If you haven't already, do it now to avoid any potential loss.
- Then click Continue.
- Preview the layout of your target disk, then click Proceed to start migrating your OS to a new disk.
Note: When migrating your operating system to an SSD or HDD, be aware that the process will erase and remove existing partitions and data on the target disk if there is not enough unallocated space. To avoid losing important data, back up any saved files to an external hard drive beforehand.
This software supports OS migration and hard drive partitioning, allowing users to resize/move partitions, create new partitions, and delete existing ones.
Tip 4. Defragment Computer Hard Drive to Fix Windows 10 Slow Boot
Fragmentation occurs when files are stored in noncontiguous areas on your disk, leading to inefficient use of storage space and reduced hard drive performance. Defragmentation is the process of eliminating this fragmentation, which improves the read and write speed of files, ultimately speeding up your computer.
Step 1. Input defrag in the search bar.
Step 2. Choose "Defragment and Optimize Drives" in the search result.
Step 3. Select the hard drive you want to optimize and click the "Optimize" button.
You can also optimize your system disk using Qiling CleanGenius, a free third-party tool that provides additional ways to speed up your Windows 10 boot, such as cleaning up junk files on the system disk.
Step 1. Download and install Qiling Partition Master Suite.
Step 2. Click PC Cleaner and install Qiling CleanGinus. Then, click "Cleanup" and click "Scan" to start cleaning up the system and make your PC as good as new.
Step 3. The software scans your entire computer to identify large, unnecessary files, system junk, and Windows invalid entries, allowing you to select and delete them with a single click.
Step 4.When the scan is complete, click "Done" to finish cleaning system junk files.
Tip 5. Fix Windows 10 Slow After Update with System File Checker
Corrupted system files can cause common issues like Windows 10 boot failure, system crashes, and slow boot times. However, you can easily check and repair missing or damaged system files using the Windows System File Checker Tool, which can help resolve these problems.
Step 1. Click "Start" and type cmd.
Step 2. Right-click "Command Prompt" and choose "Run as administrator".
Step 3. If you're using Windows 10, start by running DISM.exe to create a Windows image and safeguard your data with the command: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth.
Step 4. After the DISM command has finished running, type the command "sfc /scannow" to initiate a scan and repair of your system files.
Tip 6. Update Graphics Driver to Solve Windows 10 Slow Boot
If your Windows 10 is slow to boot after an update, it may be due to an incompatibility between the latest Windows update and your computer drivers, particularly the graphics driver. Updating the graphics driver to the latest version may resolve the issue by providing better compatibility with the new release of Windows 10.
Step 1. Right-click on "This PC" and go to "Manage" > "Device Manager".
Step 2. To update the graphics card driver, expand the "Display adapters" section in the Device Manager, right-click on the graphics card driver, and select the option to update the driver from there.
Tip 7. Change Boot Order in BIOS to Fix Windows 10 Slow After Update
If the BIOS is not configured correctly, it can impact your PC's startup process. To ensure a smooth boot, make sure the first boot device is set to a system hard disk.
Step 1.To boot a computer, start by turning it on and pressing one of the following keys during the initial startup screen: ESC, F1, F2, F8, or F10. The specific key to press may vary depending on the BIOS manufacturer, and pressing it will often bring up a menu.
Step 2. To access the BIOS setup, you can choose to enter it. Upon doing so, the BIOS setup utility page will appear.
Step 3.The "BOOT" tab lists system devices in order of priority, which can be selected using the arrow keys.
Step 4.To speed up the Windows 10 boot time, move the drive to the top of the boot list.
Step 5. Save and exit the BIOS setup utility. The computer will restart with the changed settings.
If your Windows still boots slowly, there are more proven and tested ways to boost your computer performance beyond the six tips mentioned above. These additional methods can help further optimize your system's speed and efficiency.
Tip 8. Increase the Page File Size
The page file is a hidden system file on your system drive that stores data from RAM when your hard drive is full, allowing your computer to run more smoothly by easing the workload of physical memory, RAM. Increasing the page file size can potentially optimize your Windows 10 computer's startup time.
Step 1. The command to view advanced system settings in Windows is to type "advanced system settings" in the search bar and click on the result. This will open the System Properties window, which includes options for advanced system settings such as system protection, user profiles, and performance settings.
Step 2. Under Advanced, click "Settings" in the "Performance" section.
Step 3. Go to the "Advanced" tab and select "Change..."
Step 4. Go to the "Performance" tab, uncheck the box next to "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives", and click on "Custom size" to manually set the size of the paging file.
Step 5. Set the initial and maximum page file size in the Performance Options window, taking into account the Microsoft guide for determining appropriate page file size.
Step 6. Click "Set" > "OK" and then restart your computer.
The Bottom Line
To fix the Windows 10 slow boot issue, try one or more of the detailed tips provided. Upgrading the system disk to an SSD is the most effective way to speed up your computer, and if you need to upgrade from a HDD to an SSD, or from a larger HDD to a smaller SSD, you can use Qiling Partition Master for assistance.
Everything About Windows Update Errors
Microsoft continuously optimizes its Windows operating system by rolling out updates, which often contain improvements to existing features, fixes for known issues, and new features, aiming to provide better system performance. However, these updates are often accompanied by various serious or minor problems, some of which are exclusive to the current version.
- After the v2004 update, users experienced issues with Conexant ISST audio drivers, resulting in errors during or after updating devices. This issue affected the audio functionality, causing problems with sound output and potentially leading to system crashes or instability.
- Cannot launch Camera app after Windows v1903 update
- Windows 10's October 2018 Update (version 1809) introduced a new feature that automatically deletes files in the Documents folder of users after a certain period of inactivity, unless the user has specifically set the folder to be excluded from this feature. This change was made to free up storage space on devices, but it has been criticized for potentially deleting important files that users may need for work or other purposes.
- There are intermittent issues when printing after Windows v1709 update
Some users are experiencing issues with their Windows update, which seems to be a universal problem, affecting many people, including those with issues like their computer freezing, shutting down unexpectedly, or experiencing a blue screen of death, among other problems.
- Updates may fail to install, and you may receive the error 0x80073701, which is typically caused by corrupted system files or issues with the Windows Update components, such as the Windows Update Agent or the BITS service. This error can also occur if the Windows Update cache is corrupted or if there are issues with the system's registry.
- Windows crashes with a blue screen after update
- Intermittent loss of Wi-Fi connectivity
Users are experiencing slow boot/startup times on Windows 10 after an update, and the article aims to provide troubleshooting guides to resolve this issue, offering helpful tips for those preparing for or experiencing problems with Windows updates.
Extra Tips - Other Windows Slow Issues
Many Windows users are experiencing slow issues beyond the startup delay in Windows 10, including various other problems that are causing frustration.
- Windows 10 slow to respond
- Windows 10 slow to open files
- Windows 10 slow to connect to the network
- Windows 10 slow to delete files/folder
- Windows 10 slow to load programs
If your Windows 10 is running slow, you can apply the methods above to improve its performance, or refer to the complete guide on how to speed up Windows 10.
Windows 10 Takes Forever to Boot After Update FAQs
If your Windows startup is slow, you may have tried the 8 fixes above, but if you're still experiencing issues, you can find additional help by reading related questions below.
How do I make Windows 10 boot faster?
To enable this, follow these steps:
- Search for and open "Power options" in the Start Menu.
- Click "Choose what the power buttons do" on the left side of the window. This will open a new window with options for what the power buttons on your computer do.
- Click "Change settings that are currently unavailable".
- Ensure that the "Turn on fast startup" option is enabled under the "Shutdown settings" section.
How long should it take Windows 10 to boot?
Between about 30 and 90 seconds
With a traditional hard drive, you can expect your computer to boot in around 30-90 seconds, although the exact time may vary depending on your computer's configuration.
Should I turn on fast startup Windows 10?
Leaving fast startup enabled in Windows won't harm your PC, but you might want to disable it if you're using Wake-on-LAN, as it can cause problems when your PC is shut down with fast startup enabled.
How do I fix Windows 10 slow boot in BIOS?
8 Ways to Fix Slow Boot Times in Windows 10:
- Tip 1. Run Windows Defender
- Tip 2. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs
- Tip 3. Defragment Computer Hard Drive
- Tip 4. Run System File Checker Tool
- Tip 5. Update Graphics Driver
- Tip 6. Change Boot Order in BIOS
- Tip 7. Increase the Page File Size
- Tip 8. Upgrade to SSD
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