Speeding up Windows Startup: Tips and Tricks
Slow startup is the most common objection that Windows users have. As time goes on, your PC seems to take longer and longer to boot, until it reaches a point when you can finish a cup of coffee while it reaches the desktop and is functional! This article will show you a few tips and tricks that you can use to maintain your PC at top notch condition – and ensure that it boots up quite faster than normal.
- Defragment your system
This is the most important system maintenance action for your PC. Defragmentation not only cleans up more space in your system by placing frequently used files near each other – it also lowers booting time by clumping various boot files together. Thus, a system defragment is the first order of the day if you want quicker boot times. - Tweak BIOS settings
This is another way to speed up Windows startup. Typically, you have to press F10/F1/Delete keys (depending on your model) during the initial startup screens to get into the BIOS settings. Once you are in, you can do either of the following:- Quick Power on Self Test
This is also called POST – and it simply means that your PC will run a shorter and quicker test than the typical, lengthier one. - Floppy Seek on Boot Up
This is an obsolete feature that requires your system to check for a floppy drive on boot up – something which you can turn off without any qualms. - Delay on Boot
This feature means that your system waits for sometime to let your hard drive kick into action. However, in most cases, this redundant and you can turn this feature off.
- Quick Power on Self Test
- Registry maintenance
As time progresses, and we install and uninstall umpteen number of programs on our PC, the residues of these programs in the system registry begin to clog it up. Hence, it is advisable that you download a registry maintenance software from the web and clean up your registry from time to time. [You can use CCleaner (freeware) or Registry Mechanic ($29.95).]