If your Windows 11 PC is taking forever to start, you’re not alone. A slow boot time can be caused by outdated drivers, unnecessary startup apps, corrupt system files, or even malware. In this article, we’ll walk you through a detailed and structured process to troubleshoot and fix slow boot problems in Windows 11 — no third-party software required.
Step 1: Ensure SSD is Installed
Before making any software-level changes, make sure your system uses an SSD (Solid State Drive) instead of an older HDD (Hard Disk Drive). SSDs are significantly faster and improve boot speed substantially. If your PC still uses an HDD, upgrading to an SSD can give your system an instant performance boost.
Step 2: Disable Unnecessary Services
- Right-click on the Windows icon and select Run.
- Type
msconfigand hit Enter. - In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab.
- Check “Hide all Microsoft services” to avoid disabling essential Windows functions.
- Click Disable all to turn off the remaining third-party services.
- Click Apply and switch to the Startup tab.
- Click Open Task Manager.
- In the Startup tab of Task Manager, right-click each enabled app and choose Disable to prevent them from starting automatically with Windows.
These steps will ensure that only essential services and programs run at startup, reducing the system boot time.
Step 3: Repair Corrupted Windows Files
Corrupted system files can slow down the boot process. Use these built-in tools to fix them:
Run System File Checker (SFC)
- Click the Start Menu and search for
cmd. - Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
- Type the following command:
sfc /scannow - Press Enter and wait for the scan to complete (may take 5–10 minutes).
This will scan for and repair corrupted system files.
Run Check Disk (CHKDSK)
In the same Command Prompt window, type:
chkdsk /f /r C:
Replace
C:with your system drive if it’s different.
- Press Enter and allow the tool to check for hard disk errors.
- This process may take 15–20 minutes depending on disk size and errors found.
Step 4: Update Display Drivers and Windows
Outdated display drivers and OS versions can contribute to slow booting.
Update Display Driver
- Right-click the Start Menu and select Device Manager.
- Expand Display Adapters.
- Right-click your GPU driver and choose Update Driver.
- Select Search automatically for drivers.
Update Windows
- Go to Settings > Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
Keeping drivers and the OS updated ensures compatibility and performance optimization.
Step 5: Scan for Malware and Unwanted Software
Windows includes a built-in malware removal tool that can scan for and remove harmful software.
Run Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool (MRT)
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type
mrtand hit Enter. - In the tool window, choose Full Scan and click Next.
Let the scan finish completely. This tool helps remove malware that can silently slow down your system.
Learn more about MRT from Microsoft.
Step 6: Reset Your PC (Last Resort)
If all else fails and the system is still booting slowly, resetting Windows can help — without deleting your personal files.
- Search “Reset this PC” from the Start Menu.
- Click on Reset this PC under Recovery settings.
- Choose Keep my files (recommended).
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
Note: This will remove all installed apps, but your documents and personal files will remain intact.
Final Thoughts
Following these steps should help resolve most slow boot issues in Windows 11. Regular maintenance like disabling startup apps, updating drivers, and scanning for malware can keep your PC running smoothly.
Tags:
slow boot, windows 11 optimization, disable startup apps, sfc scan, chkdsk, MRT tool, update GPU driver, reset windows 11, fix slow PC, windows boot time, windows 11 tips
Hashtags:
#Windows11 #SlowBootFix #SystemOptimization #StartupApps #SFCScan #CHKDSK #MRTTool #WindowsReset #TechTips #PCPerformance
Disclaimer:
This article provides general troubleshooting steps for slow boot issues in Windows 11. Please back up your data before making system changes. Proceed with caution and consult an expert if unsure about any steps.
