How long does your computer typically take to start up? When you press the power button, you may expect it to turn on immediately. There’s typically at least some delay, however. If your computer suffers from a long and slow startup time, you should consider the following tips to make it boot faster.
Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs
You can achieve a faster startup time by disabling unnecessary startup programs. Startup programs are computer programs that are designed to launch automatically during startup. You don’t need to manually open them. When you turn on your computer, they will automatically launch. Generally speaking, the more startup programs a computer has, the longer it will take to boot. Disabling unnecessary startup programs, on the other hand, will result in faster boot times.
Use Hibernate Mode
Rather than turning off your computer completely when you are finished using it, try using hibernate mode. It will speed up your computer’s boot times. Hibernate mode will save your current data to the storage drive. When you press the power button on your computer, it will load this data. Aside from saving power, hibernate mode can speed up boot times. Your computer will start up in less time when using hibernate mode as opposed to shutting down completely.
Switch to an SSD
Switching from a hard-disk drive (HDD) to a solid-state drive (SSD) will have a positive impact on your computer’s boot times. HDDs and SSDs are storage drives. The difference lies in their operation. HDDs store data on metal platters that spin during the read and write processes. SSDs, in comparison, store data digitally on memory chips. Not only do they last longer, but SSDs are significantly faster than HDDs.
Check for Malware
Don’t forget to check your computer for malware. Malware, such as viruses and trojans, can cause system slowdowns, including slower boot times. Some forms of malware are even designed to steal system resources. They will consume your computer’s resources so that there are fewer resources available for startup. If your computer is taking longer to boot up than usual, run a full-system malware scan to see if malware is to blame.
Add More RAM
How much random access memory (RAM) does your computer have? If it’s low on RAM, you may want to upgrade it. Many people are surprised to learn that RAM affects boot times. There are certain startup processes that use RAM. With low RAM — or with slow RAM for that matter — you can expect slower boot times.