How to Speed Up Windows 11 Boot Time Without Additional Software – top 5 methods

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Let’s speed up Windows 11

Switching from Windows 10 to Windows 11 was not an easy transition for me, but over time, I started to appreciate its features and improvements. However, one common issue many users face is slow boot times. If your Windows 11 PC takes too long to start, don’t worry—this guide will show you step-by-step how to optimize your system for a faster startup without installing any additional software.

1. Disable Startup Programs

Many applications launch automatically when you start your computer, slowing down the boot process. Here’s how to disable unnecessary startup programs:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Click on the Startup tab.
  3. Look for programs with a high startup impact.
  4. Right-click on them and select Disable.

Tip: Keep only essential programs enabled, such as antivirus software.

2. Enable Fast Startup

Windows 11 has a built-in feature called Fast Startup, which can significantly reduce boot time.

  1. Press Win + R, type powercfg.cpl, and hit Enter.
  2. Click Choose what the power buttons do.
  3. Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.
  4. Check Turn on fast startup (recommended).
  5. Click Save changes.

Tip: If you don’t see this option, make sure hibernation is enabled by running this command in Command Prompt (Admin):

powercfg /hibernate on

3. Optimize Virtual Memory

Windows 11 uses virtual memory (paging file) to help with performance. Optimizing it can improve startup speed.

  1. Press Win + R, type sysdm.cpl, and hit Enter.
  2. Go to the Advanced tab and click Settings under Performance.
  3. Click the Advanced tab and select Change under Virtual Memory.
  4. Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size.
  5. Select Custom size and set:
    • Initial size: 1.5x your RAM size.
    • Maximum size: 3x your RAM size.
  6. Click OK and restart your PC.

Tip: If you have 16GB RAM or more, you can disable the paging file for slight performance gains.

4. Disable Unnecessary Services

Some Windows background services are not essential and can be safely disabled.

  1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
  2. Look for these unnecessary services and set them to Manual:
    • Connected User Experiences and Telemetry
    • Windows Search (if you don’t use the search function often)
    • Print Spooler (if you don’t use a printer)
  3. Right-click on the service, select Properties, and set Startup type to Manual.

Tip: Be careful when disabling services—some are required for Windows to function properly.

5. Keep Windows 11 Updated

Although Windows updates can be annoying, they often contain important performance improvements.

  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
  2. Click Windows Update.
  3. Click Check for updates and install any available updates.

Tip: If your PC feels slower after an update, consider rolling back to a previous version.

Final Thoughts

Windows 11 is a great operating system, but its default settings aren’t always optimized for speed. By following these steps, you can significantly improve your boot time without installing third-party software.

If your PC is still slow, consider upgrading to an SSD—this is the most effective way to reduce startup time.

Have any questions or additional tips? Share them in the comments!

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