How to Fix Slow Startup on Windows 11? Your Complete Guide

Updated by

Sherly 

Written by

Tracy King 

Last updated on April 22, 2024

We all know that Microsoft recently released the much-awaited Windows 11. Now, all Windows 10 users can easily upgrade to Windows 11 if they wish. Windows 11 comes with significant improvements in features and updates compared to Windows 10. However, most Windows 11 users are facing the major issue of slow startup. This article will discuss methods to fix slow startup on Windows 11.

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Why does Windows 11 take so long to start up?

There can be various reasons why Windows 11 might be slow to start up. Below are some of the most common causes and issues that could lead to a slow Windows 11 startup:

• A low system configuration is one of the main reasons why Windows 11 boots slowly.
• Your computer might be affected by a virus or malware.
• You might have visual effects enabled, or they could be set to default.
• You could be using an outdated graphics driver.
• You might have unnecessary notifications enabled on your device.
• Windows files might be corrupted.

How can I fix the slow startup issue on Windows 11?

There are several ways to address a slow Windows 11 startup. Understanding the main reasons behind the sluggishness, apply the following methods accordingly.

< a id="1" name="1">1. Update your graphics card driver

An outdated graphics card can slow down your computer's startup time and cause a variety of issues, such as crashes while gaming. Update your computer's graphics card by following the steps below.

1. Press the Windows + X keys on your keyboard to open the Quick Access Menu. 2. Click on Device Manager. 3. Double-click on "Display adapters." 4. Right-click on the graphics card you're using.

1. Select "Update Driver" from the drop-down menu. 2. Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software." 3. If an update is available, it will download and install by default. 4. After the update is complete, you may restart your system.

2. End Unnecessary Tasks in the Task Manager

Quite often, you might have many unnecessary tasks running in the background, which can significantly increase Windows 11's boot load. Reducing the number of these unnecessary tasks can eventually speed up Windows 11's boot time. Follow the steps below to end unimportant tasks using the Task Manager:

1. Open Task Manager by searching for it manually or by pressing `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` on your keyboard. 2. Choose the "Processes" option from the available choices. 3. Review the list and select the tasks that are not needed.

• Click on the “End Task” option on the right.
• Restart your Windows 11 once you're done with everything.

3. Remove Temporary Files

Windows creates temporary files when performing any task to ensure it completes smoothly without any interference. However, it's up to you to delete temp files that are no longer needed. Besides slowing down the Windows 11 startup process, old temp files can cause various issues. Follow these steps to remove unnecessary temp files:

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Windows Run dialog box. 2. In the search field, type "%temp%" and hit Enter. 3. Select the folder that appears. 4. Delete all the items you see within the folder.

Delete temporary files

• Apply all changes, and then your file will be deleted.

4. Disable the notification feature in the settings.

Notifications can be annoying sometimes and might cause some troubles. It could also be one of the reasons why Windows 11 is slow to start. To speed up the booting process, you need to turn off the notification center. Follow these steps:

1. Open the search bar, look for the "Settings" option, and click on it. 2. Tap on "System" from the available options. 3. Click on the "Notifications & actions" tab in the left-hand displayed menu. 4. Disable notifications by sliding the toggle next to "Notifications" to the left.

In addition, you can choose which types of notifications to turn off by selecting the check boxes provided below.

5. Optimize Windows 11 Disk with Partition Master Tool

You can also use an external partition tool like Partition Master to speed up the boot process of Windows 11. This is a more powerful utility that not only manages disk space but also offers additional features. Here are some tasks Partition Master can perform to maintain a fast Windows 11 boot: 1. **Resize partitions**: If your system partition (usually drive C:) lacks space, Partition Master can help you expand it, improving system performance and boot speed. 2. **Defragmentation**: The tool can defragment files on your hard drive, ensuring data is stored contiguously, reducing read times and accelerating the boot process. 3. **Create, delete, or format partitions**: If you need to redistribute disk space or optimize drive layout, Partition Master can easily handle these tasks, contributing to a smooth system operation. 4. **Optimize boot sectors**: Partition Master might include advanced features such as checking and repairing boot sector errors, ensuring smooth Windows 11 startups. 5. **Backup and restore**: Before making any significant changes, you can create backups of your disks or partitions with Partition Master, allowing for a quick restoration in case issues arise. Remember to exercise caution when using any partition tool to avoid losing important data. It's always advisable to back up your data before making any changes.

You can use whichever is more convenient for you.

6. Turn off visual effects

Disabling visual effects is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:

• Open the search bar.
• Type sysdm.cpl into the search bar and open Properties.
• A System Properties window will appear.
• Select the Advanced option from the available choices.
• Click the Settings button under the Performance section.
• Click the circle next to the Adjust for best performance option.

• Finally, click "OK" at the bottom.
• This will turn off visual effects in Windows 11.

Run an antivirus program

Viruses can pose numerous other threats and unnecessary hassles, not to mention wasting your time. It's also unsafe to use a computer with viruses. You can opt for a paid antivirus software or utilize the built-in antivirus feature in Windows 11. Here's how to scan and remove viruses using Windows 11: 1. First, ensure that your computer is connected to the internet. 2. Click on the 'Start' button at the bottom left corner of your screen to open the Windows 11 menu. 3. In the search bar, type "Windows Security" and click on the appearing application. 4. In the Windows Security interface, click on the "Virus & threat protection" option. 5. On the newly opened page, you'll see options like "Quick Scan," "Full Scan," and "Custom Scan." Choose the scan type you prefer. Generally, a "Quick Scan" is sufficient to detect most common issues. 6. Click on the chosen scan option and then click on "Scan Now" or a similar button to initiate the scan. 7. The scanning process may take a few minutes to a couple of hours, depending on your computer's performance and the type of scan. 8. After the scan completes, Windows Security will display any detected threats. Follow the prompts to "Quarantine" or "Remove" these threats. 9. Once done, remember to close all windows and keep Windows Security updated for the latest protections. Please note that while the antivirus protection in Windows 11 is free, it might not be as robust as some professional paid antivirus software. If you frequently encounter virus issues, it might be wise to consider upgrading to a more advanced solution.

1. Access the "Settings" menu. 2. Use the search bar to look for and locate Windows Security options. 3. Click on "Virus & threat protection." 4. Scroll down to find the "Protection updates" section. 5. Click on "Privacy settings." 6. Enable the four options under "Change privacy settings."

1. Return to it and click on "Manage settings" under "Virus & threat protection." 2. Then, enable or turn on all available options. 3. Next, click on "Scan options" in "Virus & threat protection settings." 4. Select the "Full scan" option. 5. Open Task Manager, then click on "File." 6. Click "Run new task" to browse and run a new one. 7. Locate the running task file and click "OK." 8. Type `gpupdate` in the command, close all applications, and restart your computer.

All the above methods are quick and effective solutions to fix slow Windows 11 startup. You can choose one or try them all to speed up Windows 11 startup again.