Make Windows Start Faster: Tips on How to Get Your PC to Boot Up Quicker!

I don't know about you, but waiting for my computer to start up everyday can be a pain. Windows most certainly is not the quickest animal in the forest. If you don't have an extra 5 minutes to wait on Windows every morning, there is some things you can do to speed it up. Here are some tips you can use to make windows start faster.

One of the reasons an average PC takes so long to boot up is because of all the programs that are automatically loading every time it's turned on. Take note of all those quick launch icons in the system tray, which is located on the bottom right by the clock. Each one of those icons represents an auto-start program that takes time to load on every boot up. Often times these auto-start applications aren't used very often , and don't need to be loading automatically on every start-up. You probably have even more programs in addition to those with quick launch icons that aren't so obvious too! Not only does each one of these applications slow down your boot-up, but many of them run in the backround slowing operating performance. Now let's get rid of some of these auto-loaders and speed things up a bit. Before we make windows start faster, let's create a system restore point.

Create a System Restore Point....
Before making these changes it would be a wonderful idea to create a system restore point just in case you encounter a problem. This will enable you to undo any changes made to Windows XP. To create a restore point click the start button, then all programs, then accessories, system tools, and finally system restore. Then click create system restore point, click next (you can then name it, call it pre-autoloader), then click create. When done click close. That's it, you now have a point of return if needed.

For Windows Vista, click start, then control panel, then system. On the right side you'll see 'tasks', click on system protection. A systems property box will appear, click create at the bottom. That's it for vista, now get rid of those auto-loaders!

Remove Auto-Loading Applications....
Click start, then run, type 'msconfig' in run box, press enter (for Vista click start, type msconfig into search box, press enter)
Click the Startup Tab to see the list of auto-loading programs, uncheck the ones you want to remove from start-up (this will not uninstall the programs)

Which Auto-Loading Programs to Keep....
You will want to keep certain programs in this list. DO NOT uncheck any of the firewall, security, or anti-virus programs. You always want these programs to auto-load at boot-up. Use your common sense on deciding which applications to uncheck. For instance, if you have a software program for your digital camera photos and you only use it once a month, this would be a good one to uncheck. You can load the program as you need it. It is pointless to have these type of programs (ones you rarely use on a regular basis) always loading. Like I said, use your common sense, nobody knows better than you which applications are used the most often. If you use your word processor on a daily basis, then leave it checked etc.. When you have unchecked all the programs to remove from the start-up list, click OK and re-boot. When re-booting you will see a message box come up. Select "don't show me this message again", or launch the system configuration utility when windows starts. Vista will look a bit different, but just click OK at the bottom right.

Another tip to make windows start faster, pay attention when installing new programs. Many people just click next all the way through install and don't realize they are selecting the option to have a desktop icon created, a quick launch icon, and to have the program auto-loaded. Most programs give you the option during the install process, where you can choose these features. If you know it's not going to be used on a daily basis, then deselect these features. This will prevent you having to go through this procedure time and time again.

Congratulations! You just figured out how to make windows start faster. Not to mention the fact that your PC will run better without all those applications running in the backround constantly, that you don't use that often.