It's happened to all of us: you turn on your computer and it takes forever to boot up, or you notice that the system is running slower than it should right at the start of the day. Optimize PC startup It's something that can make a difference in your day-to-day life, not only saving time, but also ensuring that your team performs like the first day. If you're looking for a useful, comprehensive, step-by-step guide to Improve your PC's startup using msconfig and other tools, this article is your best ally. Whether you're experienced or just starting out with Windows, you'll find everything you need—and much more—here to help you notice the difference.
There are many Reasons why a PC may start slowly: from overly heavy programs loading at startup, unnecessary services, inefficient mechanical hard drives, to configuration problems, outdated drivers, or even a hidden virus. Fortunately, Windows offers several internal tools —and some external adjustments— that, when used properly, can truly revolutionize the startup process. Among them, the System Configuration (msconfig) It stands out for its usefulness, but it is not the only strategy to take into account.
Why does my PC boot slowly? Common factors and myths
Before diving into specific solutions, it's helpful to understand what slows down a computer from booting up. Not everything comes down to the age of the computer, although it's true that older computers suffer more. Below are the most common factors:
- Startup apps that you don't need but are launched automatically as soon as you turn it on, overloading the memory and processor.
- Windows and third-party services running in the background unnecessarily.
- hard drive fragmentation (on mechanical drives, not SSDs), which slows down both boot and file access.
- Outdated or corrupted drivers, especially the graphics card, which can cause conflicts and delays.
- Low disk spaceIf the system has less than 10% free space, everything slows down.
- Malware or virus that run at startup or hog system resources.
- Outdated hardware, especially conventional hard drives (HDD).
- Incorrect settings made by the user or after failed software installations.
As you can see, although the basis is always the same—too many things loading at once—the key is knowing how to correctly identify the “culprits” and act on them.
First steps to speed up Windows startup
The ideal is to approach the problem in a logical order. Start with the simplest solutions and move on to more advanced techniques if you find that startup is still frustratingly slow.
Review the installed programs and remove unnecessary ones
The first thing is to review all the programs you have on your PC. Many install invisible processes that launch when you turn on your computer, and even if you don't use them, they can slow down your entire system. Go to Settings > Applications and review them one by one. If you haven't used a program in months, consider uninstalling it. Less is more, especially on computers with limited resources.
Be careful when deleting applications, as some are necessary for the proper functioning of the system or specific hardware. When in doubt, seek information before deleting anything..
Disable unnecessary startup programs from Task Manager
Even after removing useless programs, there may still be "hooks" at system startup, either in the form of services or automatic processes. Here's how to manage them:
- press Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
- Go to the tab HomeHere you'll see all the programs that are trying to start alongside Windows.
- Disable any that is not essential. Right-click on the program and select Disable.
Be careful not to disable security applications (antivirus, firewall) or tools that you really need as soon as you turn on your PC.
Keep your hard drive free
Windows needs space to create temporary files and virtual memory. If your disk is at capacity limit, boot and general performance will suffer.Try to keep at least 10% free space. To free up space:
- Clean temporary files with the tool Disk Cleanup.
- Delete files you no longer use (old downloads, duplicate documents, full trash).
Defragment the disk (only if it is HDD, never on SSD)
On conventional hard drives, file fragmentation causes the head to move more frequently between different sectors, which delays boot time. Go to File Explorer, right-click on drive C: and select Properties > Tools > OptimizeYou can schedule automatic defragmentation every so often. If your computer has an SSD, skip this step., since defragmentation does not contribute anything and can shorten the life of the disk.
Update drivers, especially graphics drivers
A little-discussed but effective trick: if your graphics card drivers are outdated or damaged, they can slow down startup. From Device Manager, locate the display adapter, right-click and select Update Driver. Let Windows check for the latest recommended version.
Run an antivirus scan
Malware slows down your system because it often runs at startup to camouflage itself. Run a full scan with your trusted antivirus (much better than a quick one, even if it takes longer). If you find threats, delete the infected files before restarting.
Be careful with the number of open applications before shutting down
The more programs you leave open when you shut down, the slower the next startup will be. Get into the habit of closing everything you don't need before shutting down your computer, especially if you use Standby or Hibernate mode. This makes it easier for the system to close processes and frees up memory for the next boot..
The role of msconfig in improving PC startup
The tool msconfig (System Configuration) is one of the most useful resources for fine-tuning your computer's startup. It used to be essential in older versions of Windows and remains incredibly useful in Windows 10 and 11, although the system itself has moved some of its functions to Task Manager and other utilities. If you want to improve the process even further, check out how to make Windows 10 faster.
What can you do with msconfig?
- Manage which programs and services start with the system.
- Enable or disable advanced boot options.
- Launch Windows in Safe or Diagnostic Mode to correct problems or detect the cause of conflicts.
- Adjust the behavior of the Start menu if you have multiple operating systems installed.
How to access msconfig?
You have several options, but the fastest ones are:
- press Windows + R to open the Run window.
- Write msconfig and press Enter.
- You can also search for “System Configuration” from the Start menu.
You will access a window with several tabs: General, Startup, Services, Startup (links to Task Manager) y ToolsBelow we look at what each one does and how you can get the most out of them to optimize your PC.
General tab
Here you decide which "load" Windows starts with. There are three options:
- Normal start: It starts as usual, without filters.
- Start of diagnosis: Only basic services and drivers. Ideal if you think a third-party program is causing problems.
- Selective start: Allows you to manually select which services and programs start. This is most useful for fine-tuning the process.
Use selective mode if you want to experiment with disabling services without disabling the entire startup.You can check/uncheck the boxes and then see if the startup improves.
Boot Tab
In this tab you can:
- View installed operating systems and choose a default one. If you have several, you can manage the waiting time in the boot menu (by default it is usually 30 seconds, you can lower it to 3 to save time).
- Advanced: Limit the number of processors used at startup (not recommended except in very specific cases), set the maximum memory, enable debugging, and other settings reserved for advanced users.
- Secure Boot Options: You can always have your PC boot into Safe Mode, which is ideal for troubleshooting persistent problems.
- No GUI Boot: If you check this box, the boot will not display the Windows graphic animation, saving a few seconds on boot time.
Schedule No GUI boot It won't work miracles, but combined with other tips, it can give you the feeling that your PC starts up more responsibly. However, if you're having trouble seeing what's happening during startup, it's best to leave it disabled.
Services Tab
In this section you can View and manage all services running on your system, both Microsoft and third-partyHerein lies one of the secrets to an ultra-fast start:
- Check the box Hide all Microsoft services (so as not to touch anything critical in the system).
- Start disabling the services of programs you don't need at startup. If in doubt, it's best to do some research before touching unknown services.
- You can press Disable all to leave only Windows services active, although this may affect the operation of printers, driver updaters, and other utilities.
After making changes, you'll need to restart your PC to see if the startup speed has improved. If anything stops working (wireless mice, printers, sync utilities, etc.), re-enable the corresponding service.
Home Tab: How to Access and What to Do Now
In Windows 10 and 11, clicking the tab Home From msconfig you will be redirected to Task Manager, specifically the startup applications section. There you'll see a list of all the applications that launch automatically after turning on your computer. You should disable everything that isn't essential, from cloud synchronizers to office suites, automatic updaters, and hardware monitoring tools that you don't use daily.
Remember: fewer startup programs, faster your PCDon't be afraid to disable virtually everything except your antivirus, graphics card software, and a few other things. Each item you disable is a small step toward an ultra-fast boot.
Tools tab
From here you have direct access to advanced diagnostic utilities, an event viewer, a system file checker, and several useful tools that can help you identify specific problems if startup continues to be problematic.
