subject: Speed up computer [print this page] The biggest culprits for slow computer start-up are too many unnecessary programs and components running when you first power on your machine. While you do need certain things to run at start-up in order for your computer to work properly, eliminating those programs that aren't necessary can drastically improve your start-up times.
Clean Out Startup Folder
Many of the programs that launch when you press the power button are located in the Startup folder. Stopping these programs and shortcuts from running automatically should help a slow computer improve.
1.Go to Start and then click on Control Panel.
2.Find the Taskbar and go to Start Menu.
3.Click on the Start Menu tab. Choose Customize and then Advanced.
4.This will bring you to the Start Menu folder that is located in the C drive. Here you will find things like registrations reminders and program shortcuts that you may not need to load every time you start the computer. If you see something you want to stop from loading, highlight it and press Delete.
5.Close Windows and reboot your computer.
Use the System Configuration Utility
There are many hidden programs that run at startup that are a bit harder to find and modify.
1.Go to Start and then choose Run.
2.In the dialog box, type in: msconfig and then choose Enter.
3.Go to the Startup tab and uncheck the box next to the program that you don't want to run. If you aren't sure, you will probably want to err on the side of caution and not stop any program your computer may need to run properly.
Services Computer Management Console
You can also disable unneeded services from the Services Computer Management Console on your computer. Using this method, you will be able to see a description of the services so that you will know what they are and what they do, as well as pause the service to test it if you are not sure about the function of that service.
1.Go to Start and then Run. At the prompt, type in: services.msc.
2.Click on Extended.
3.Find the service you want to disable. Right click on it and choose Properties.
4.Choose Manual if you don't want it to start automatically, but do want to be able to start it through the console. If you know that you don't need it, you can choose Disable to prevent it from running altogether.
5.Some services to consider either disabling or putting on manual include the Task Scheduler, Portable Media Serial Number and the Uninterruptable Power Supply options.
