Why is the boot slow? For these reasons, even SSDs are useless!

Why is your computer taking so long to boot? Have you heard that some digital assistants and housekeepers have caused 70% of computers to crash after they were activated? What can you do to speed up your system’s startup? Is it really as simple as replacing an old SSD with a faster one? Well, if you do it wrong, even switching to an SSD could make your boot time slower than a turtle!

Slow Self-Test? You're Not Alone!

After turning on your computer, you might find yourself staring at the BIOS screen for what feels like forever or watching the manufacturer's logo slowly load. This is a common issue, especially with systems using UEFI BIOS. Why does this happen? One main reason is the lengthy self-test process during boot.

First, check the BIOS settings. Look for a "Quick Boot" option and set it to "Enabled." This tells the BIOS to skip some of the initial hardware checks, which can significantly reduce boot time. Also, review the boot order on the same screen. The first item listed is usually the "Primary Boot Sequence." Make sure it's set correctly.

A common mistake is setting network boot (PXE) as the first boot device. This causes the BIOS to wait for a network connection, which can take a long time. Avoid putting this in the top two boot options.

If your system supports UEFI, try changing the primary boot entry to “Windows Boot Manager.” If your disk is in GPT mode, UEFI will automatically handle the boot process, resulting in a much faster startup.

How to Fix Slow Boot Times?

Once you’ve fixed the BIOS settings, you may still notice your system checking the disk every time it starts. This often happens if the system didn’t shut down properly or if there are bad sectors on the hard drive. To fix this, run a disk check in Windows to scan for errors.

Also, if your RAM is insufficient, the boot process can slow down significantly. Make sure you have enough memory for your operating system and any software you commonly use.

Why Does It Take So Long to Get to the Desktop?

Once you’re into the system, you might find that programs take too long to load. This is often due to too many startup items. Open the System Configuration tool (msconfig) and disable unnecessary programs from launching at startup. On Windows 10, you can also manage startup apps through Task Manager.

Another overlooked issue is having too many files or icons on your desktop. Even with an SSD, too many items can slow down the system's ability to load the desktop. Regularly cleaning your desktop can make a big difference in performance.