Windows takes ages to start up

If your laptop takes several minutes to reach the desktop, the usual cause is too many programs loading at once, or a drive that is nearly full.

Quick fixes to try first

• Do a proper restart. Click Start, then the power icon, then Restart.
• Install waiting updates and restart again.
• Unplug USB drives and other devices before you start the laptop, in case it is waiting on them.
• Give it five minutes after sign-in. Windows often does tidying jobs straight after starting.

Step by step

1. Press Ctrl, Shift and Esc together to open Task Manager.
2. Click Startup apps on the left (Windows 11) or the Startup tab (Windows 10). If you only see a small window, click More details first.
3. Look at the Startup impact column. Right-click programs marked High that you do not need straight away, and choose Disable.
4. Only disable things you recognise. Leave anything from Microsoft, your security software, and your touchpad or graphics software alone.
5. Restart and see if it is faster.

If that did not work

• Check your free space. Windows 11 and Windows 10: Settings, System, Storage. Try to keep at least 15 per cent of the drive free.
• Run a scan with Windows Security in case something unwanted is slowing it down.
• Older laptops with a traditional hard drive are naturally slow to start. Replacing it with a solid state drive (SSD) makes a huge difference, but that is a job for a professional.

Disabling a start-up item does not delete the program. You can turn it back on at any time.

When to get more help

Stop and email us if the laptop takes more than ten minutes to start, you hear clicking noises from the drive, Windows freezes during start-up, or the slowness started suddenly. Back up your files if you can. Tell us the make, model and approximate age of the laptop.