When you first have a new computer, it is speedy and feels fresh. However, over time you may find it seems to take forever to start when you boot it up.
What happens here is, many program services start to run automatically as you boot your computer.
Some are useful bits of program software, yet many intrude and use this as a way to either make their presence known, or they do it so they can remain up to date.
One of the most common are things such as iTunes, Spotify, or any other services. However, there are also software program applications, which are supposed to be helpful. However, they think they have the right to be running at startup, and the startup impact is high.
Over time, you can find the number of automatically starting programs builds up, and it takes ages for your computer to start. (Learn how to enter windows 10 safe mode)
Here, you can find out which are safe to disable or delete, and how you can safely do this.
Why Programs Automatically Start
Most Windows computers include a few software programs set to automatically start out-of-the-box.
Other software programs you may install later may set themselves to start automatically.
Many of these you can see in the system tray, although others which don’t wish to be seen may run hidden in the background.
You can find certain reasons some programs automatically start:
To remain connected: You can find programs such as Skype, instant messaging solutions need to start, so you are instantly connected automatically.
- Downloading and Uploading: Some services such as Steam automatically begin downloading file updates for PC games in the background. uTorrent and other P2P file-sharing apps can be set to start automatically to carry on with active file downloads.
- Running Services: Online file storage like Dropbox, Google Drive, and One drive can start with Windows. Doing so enables a file to be instantly available. Antivirus programs will auto-start for the same reason. A VPN can be set to auto-start, so you have full protection on your connection.
- Hardware: Hardware utilities can automatically start, so they can monitor hardware, and provide quick access to settings.
- Faster Opening: You can find some applications automatically start to pre-load themselves. This makes them appear faster than they are, and in reality, they gobble up your system resources.
Identify and Disable Startup Entries with Task Manager
Here you can find the basic way to disable startup entries from your startup list.
It doesn’t, however, remove any programs or delete the startup entries of any application that will start automatically. You used to be able to do this from the system configuration (msconfig) app, yet now everything has moved from the system configuration app to Microsoft Task Manager. (Learn How to Install Active Directory Users And Computers On Windows 10)
Msconfig was used for older versions of Microsoft Windows. You will also find the msconfig app Startup Tab will point you toward Task Manger now.
- Click on the Microsoft Windows 10 Start Menu Button.
- Type Task Manager.
- Select Task Manager.
- Click the Startup Tab.
- Right Click on an unknown Enabled Process and Click Search name online.
- Read descriptions of the enabled process name and determine if it is essential to you or your system security and stability.
- If the enabled startup items are not essential, Right Click on it and select Disable.
- Repeat Steps 1 – 7 and disable all Non-Essential startup entries.
- Once you have disabled all the non-essential processes, Restart your computer.
When you run through this, and determine what programs should run at startup. You will find your startup impact is different, and you could have shaved several seconds or even minutes off your computer starting.
Make sure they are not startup items that are essential such as antivirus before you disable them.
Disable Startup Apps Using Windows Settings
- Click on the Windows 10 Start button
- Select the gear icon
- Open Settings – Apps – Startup.
- Here’s a list of apps that will start up automatically. You have a toggle switch of On and Off and showing the impact the startup entry has on your computer startup performance. No impact, Low impact, Medium impact, and High impact.
- The indicators are a measure of how they influence your computer’s boot-up speed and also ultimately, the speed of your computer. Basically, the higher the impact, the longer it takes your computer to start.
- Search the apps that are high impact first. Disabling these has the greatest effect to speed up your system at startup. While programs with low impact may not affect your boot time, they can slow your computer by using RAM.
Disabling Startup Entries
Many legitimate running programs give you the option to set them to auto-start or start manually. There are others; however, that doesn’t present you with this option.
One of the best ways to find information on such items is to use a clean-up application that will show you what startup entries you have—one of the best being CCleaner. (Find the Best Hard Drive Cleaner)
In this application, you can see what startup entries there are, and you can disable them or delete them.
CCleaner also allows you to remove leftover files from such Windows programs if you are unsure of what they are. You can also carry out a registry clean, and any leftover traces of these deleted Windows apps will be removed from your registry.
When you are disabling startup programs that are unnecessary, one you should never disable from your startup tab is your VPN. A Windows VPN keeps your connection secure and is a worthwhile automatic startup program. It can also keep your system configuration out of sight of any hacker.
One of the best things, a Windows VPN has minimal impact and also uses very little system resources of any startup program. You can search online for the best VPN, yet you will ultimately find the best VPN for Australia is the same program no matter where you look.
