How do you determine which startup programs are slowing down your Windows 11 boot?

1 Task Manager

The Task Manager in Windows 11 is your first stop for investigating slow boot issues. You can open it by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Task Manager," or by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc . Once opened, navigate to the "Startup" tab to see a list of all programs that run on startup. Here, you'll find the impact rating of each program on your boot time. Programs listed as "High" impact are more likely to be slowing down your system. Consider disabling these first, especially if they're not essential for your daily use.

2 Startup Impact

After identifying high-impact programs in Task Manager, you should evaluate if these applications are necessary for your startup. Some programs are crucial for system stability and security, such as antivirus software. However, others might be convenience features or update checkers that don't need to run at every boot. By disabling non-essential high-impact programs, you can reduce the load on your system during startup, potentially speeding up the process.

3 Boot Analysis

For a more detailed analysis, you can utilize Windows Performance Recorder (WPR) to record your boot process. WPR is part of the Windows Performance Toolkit, which you can access through the Windows System Assessment Tool. By running a boot trace, you'll get an in-depth view of the startup sequence and pinpoint exactly which processes are taking the longest. This data can guide you in making more informed decisions about which programs to disable or optimize.

4 System Configuration

System Configuration, accessed by running msconfig in the Run dialog (opened with Windows key + R ), provides another way to manage startup programs. The "Services" tab within System Configuration allows you to hide all Microsoft services and then see what third-party services start up with your system. Disabling unnecessary services here can further improve boot times, but be cautious not to disable services essential for your system's operation.

5 Third-party Software

While Windows 11 provides built-in tools for managing startup programs, there are third-party software options that offer more features and user-friendly interfaces. These tools often provide more detailed information about each startup program, including the exact time each takes to load. They can also offer recommendations for optimization based on common best practices. However, always ensure that any third-party software comes from a reputable source to avoid security risks.

6 Scheduled Tasks

Lastly, it's worth checking the Task Scheduler for any tasks that are set to run at startup. Open Task Scheduler from the Start Menu and look for any tasks configured to run at log on. Some of these tasks might be contributing to longer boot times, especially if they're resource-intensive or misconfigured. You can disable or adjust the schedule of these tasks to minimize their impact on your startup process, streamlining your boot experience.

7 Here’s what else to consider

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