Why Does My Computer Start So Slowly?

Every time you turn on your computer, Windows loads a set of programs automatically in the background. Over time, more and more software adds itself to this startup list — things like:

Teams, Zoom, and Slack (which do not need to launch before you open them)
OneDrive and backup apps (which can start after you log in)
Manufacturer apps like HP Assistant or Dell SupportAssist
Apps you installed once and forgot about

Each of these programs uses a slice of your CPU, memory, and disk while your computer is booting. The more startup apps running, the longer your PC takes to become usable after you log in.

Disabling startup programs does not uninstall them — they will still work fine when you open them manually. You are simply stopping them from loading automatically before you need them.

How to Disable Startup Programs in Windows 10 and 11

Method 1: Using Task Manager (Quickest)

Right-click the Taskbar at the bottom of your screen
Select Task Manager
If you see a simplified view, click More details at the bottom
Click the Startup tab at the top
You will see a list of programs with a Status column showing Enabled or Disabled, and a Startup impact column (Low, Medium, or High)
Click any program you want to disable
Click the Disable button at the bottom right of the window

The program will no longer launch at startup. Repeat for any others you want to disable.

Method 2: Using Windows Settings (Windows 11)

Click the Start button and open Settings (the gear icon)
Go to Apps then click Startup
You will see a list of apps with toggles
Toggle off any app you do not need starting automatically

Windows will show a startup impact rating next to each app — focus on disabling those rated High first.

Method 3: Using System Configuration (Advanced)

Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog
Type msconfig and press Enter
Click the Startup tab
Click Open Task Manager — this will take you to Method 1 above

What Is Safe to Disable?

Here is a general guide:

Usually safe to disable:

Microsoft Teams (opens when you need it)
Zoom (opens when you click a meeting link)
Slack (opens when you click it)
Spotify, Discord, and other personal apps
Adobe Updater and similar software updaters
Manufacturer utility apps (HP Assistant, Dell SupportAssist, Lenovo Vantage)
OneDrive — note: if you rely on OneDrive for real-time file syncing, keep this enabled
Dropbox or Google Drive sync apps — same note as above

Be cautious with these:

Antivirus and security software — do not disable these at startup
VPN clients — if you need VPN to connect to work on startup, leave it enabled
Printer software — usually safe to disable, but some office printers need it
Windows Security notification — leave this enabled

Never disable:

Windows Defender or your business antivirus
Any startup item your IT team has told you to keep

If you are unsure about a specific item, search the program name online or contact your IT team before disabling it.

How to Tell If a Program Should Stay Enabled

Ask yourself:

Do I need this program running before I open anything else?
Does my work depend on this syncing in the background (like OneDrive)?
Is this a security or monitoring tool?

If the answer is no to all three, it is usually safe to disable.

After Disabling Startup Apps

Restart your computer after making changes and notice the difference in boot time. Most people see a significant improvement — especially if the computer was loading five or more high-impact startup programs.

If something stops working after you log in and you think it is related, go back to Task Manager > Startup and re-enable that program.

Other Ways to Speed Up a Slow Computer at Startup

Disabling startup programs is one of the best quick wins, but here are a few other things worth checking:

Use Sleep mode instead of Shut Down: Windows 10 and 11 have a "Fast Startup" feature, but many IT teams disable it for reliability. If your computer takes a long time to boot from a full shutdown, consider using Sleep mode instead for day-to-day use — it resumes in seconds.

Check available disk space: If your hard drive is almost full, Windows slows down significantly. Go to Settings > System > Storage to check. A good rule of thumb is to keep at least 10–15% of your drive free.

Restart regularly: If you leave your computer on for days at a time without restarting, updates and background processes accumulate. A regular restart clears these out and often speeds things up.

Check for pending Windows updates: Sometimes pending updates can cause slowdowns at startup while Windows waits to apply them. Go to Settings > Windows Update and install any outstanding updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling startup programs cause them to stop working? No — the programs still work normally when you open them. You are only stopping them from launching automatically.

Can I re-enable a startup program if I need it? Yes — go back to Task Manager > Startup, select the program, and click Enable.

My computer is still slow after disabling startup programs. What else can I try? Contact your IT team. The issue may be insufficient RAM, a failing hard drive, malware, or a Windows update problem that needs professional attention.

Need Help?

If your computer is persistently slow and the above steps do not resolve it, contact Netluma IT for a health check.

Phone: 1300 521 162 Email: helpdesk@netlumait.com.au

How to Disable Startup Programs to Speed Up Windows