Slooowww Boot - All Typical Fixes Done

billyjk · May 9, 2025

I've got an HP Spectre x360 from 2017 that is healthy in all other respects. I upgraded "manually" to Win11 years back and just recently upgraded to 24H2. The laptop has TPM 2.0, but has a proc that is just outside of MS specs. Still, Win11 runs reliably and rather snappy. The problem is that on boot, after the HP logo/BIOS boot, Windows takes about 30 seconds to show the logon page. Then, it can take a while to open to the desktop. It has never been anywhere near this slow in the years I've owned this machine.

I know that I can go back to the previous version of Win11, but I'd like to try to work this out if I can. I've done all of the typical "fixes" from disabling FastBoot, to limiting startup programs and more - all the stuff that routine YouTube videos cover. With FastBoot enabled, it's faster for sure, but my keyboard drivers don't seem to be loading and I have no access to the keyboard.

So, are there any fixes, hacks, etc., that you would recommend?
TIA!
-bjk

FreeBooter · May 9, 2025

In this video, we delve into the common issue of slow boot times in Windows and how to effectively troubleshoot it using Process Monitor.

zinou · May 10, 2025

Hi,
The best way to troubleshoot that is to use the Windows Performance Toolkit.

First, record a boot trace: https://zinetek.com/how-to-use-wpr-to-record-boot-trace/
Second, compress the trace and share it. I will analyze it.

billyjk · May 10, 2025

FreeBooter said:
In this video, we delve into the common issue of slow boot times in Windows and how to effectively troubleshoot it using Process Monitor.

Thanks!
I saw your response to other posts similar to my own, and I had given Proc Mgr a try. Not much there, just a few Epson processes and a VPN process. Once taken out of the boot process, it did not improve anything. Still, I appreciate the shout out.

billyjk · May 10, 2025

zinou said:
Hi,
The best way to troubleshoot that is to use the Windows Performance Toolkit.

First, record a boot trace: https://zinetek.com/how-to-use-wpr-to-record-boot-trace/
Second, compress the trace and share it. I will analyze it.

Thanks for the kind offer. Not sure when I'll have the time to do so, but again, I appreciate the offer.

XxXxX · May 10, 2025

please try settings > system > about > advanced system settings

in the advanced system settings window
advanced tab > start-up and recovery

in start-up and recovery window
change 'time to display list of operating systems' from 30 to 3

you can also uncheck 'automatically restart' if you wish.

close all windows and now restart the system to see if that makes any difference.
best of luck, Steve ..

billyjk · May 10, 2025

XxXxX said:
please try settings > system > about > advanced system settings

in the advanced system settings window
advanced tab > start-up and recovery

in start-up and recovery window
change 'time to display list of operating systems' from 30 to 3

you can also uncheck 'automatically restart' if you wish.

close all windows and now restart the system to see if that makes any difference.
best of luck, Steve ..

Thanks Steve.
Just tried, and it didn't make a difference in boot time.
Thanks again for the idea!

Levitate11 · May 10, 2025

How about your WiFi connection? If it's slow to make, Windows just sort of hangs there trying to make it. Disconnect the WiFi once logged in and see how long it takes to reconnect.

Also, I'd reboot the router and see if it helps on the next boot up.

If you have a hard switch for the network on the computer, disconnect while logged in, set to no-autoconnect, and re-boot.

XxXxX · May 10, 2025

also my last idea.
please look in your BIOS settings as there could be a boot delay setting which you maybe able to change.

now i am out of ideas.
best of luck, Steve ..

billyjk · May 10, 2025

Levitate11 said:
How about your WiFi connection? If it's slow to make, Windows just sort of hangs there trying to make it. Disconnect the WiFi once logged in and see how long it takes to reconnect.

Also, I'd reboot the router and see if it helps on the next boot up.

If you have a hard switch for the network on the computer, disconnect while logged in, set to no-autoconnect, and re-boot.

Just checked wifi - no dice.
But, thanks for that creative idea!

Sheikh · May 10, 2025

billyjk said:
I've got an HP Spectre x360 from 2017 that is healthy in all other respects. I upgraded "manually" to Win11 years back and just recently upgraded to 24H2. The laptop has TPM 2.0, but has a proc that is just outside of MS specs. Still, Win11 runs reliably and rather snappy. The problem is that on boot, after the HP logo/BIOS boot, Windows takes about 30 seconds to show the logon page. Then, it can take a while to open to the desktop. It has never been anywhere near this slow in the years I've owned this machine.

I know that I can go back to the previous version of Win11, but I'd like to try to work this out if I can. I've done all of the typical "fixes" from disabling FastBoot, to limiting startup programs and more - all the stuff that routine YouTube videos cover. With FastBoot enabled, it's faster for sure, but my keyboard drivers don't seem to be loading and I have no access to the keyboard.

So, are there any fixes, hacks, etc., that you would recommend?
TIA!
-bjk

These are my recommendations for 24H2:

1. Old drivers
just to make sure the problem is not from your drivers, check the safe mode startup time.
if safe mode starts fast then you have to check your drivers. maybe your graphics driver.

2. Storage encryption
go to settings and turn off your storage encryption. wait for the end of decryption then restart and check the boot time.

3. Windows update problems
clean install the latest version of windows to boost your old device.

billyjk · May 10, 2025

Sheikh said:
These are my recommendations for 24H2:

1. Old drivers
just to make sure the problem is not from your drivers, check the safe mode startup time.
if safe mode starts fast then you have to check your drivers. maybe your graphics driver.

2. Storage encryption
go to settings and turn off your storage encryption. wait for the end of decryption then restart and check the boot time.

3. Windows update problems
clean install the latest version of windows to boost your old device.

Thanks - I've gone over these items already.
Interestingly, FastBoot *does* work, but it won't load my keyboard drivers reliably.
I am just going to pass on this.
Maybe I just have a slow-ass machine. Hey, it's almost 8 years old now - to be expected!

Sheikh · May 10, 2025

billyjk said:
Thanks - I've gone over these items already.
Interestingly, FastBoot *does* work, but it won't load my keyboard drivers reliably.
I am just going to pass on this.
Maybe I just have a slow-ass machine. Hey, it's almost 8 years old now - to be expected!

FastBoot? you mean fastboot in bios? it should be activated by default. do you mean safe mode?

billyjk · May 10, 2025

So sorry - I meant "Fast StartUp".
It works with speeding things up, but half the time it will not load my keyboard drivers during boot.

Levitate11 · May 10, 2025

billyjk said:
So sorry - I meant "Fast StartUp".
It works with speeding things up, but half the time it will not load my keyboard drivers during boot.

Just a thought... what if you do a regular boot but have your keyboard drivers disabled?

mck · May 11, 2025

billyjk said:
I've got an HP Spectre x360 from 2017 that is healthy in all other respects. I upgraded "manually" to Win11 years back and just recently upgraded to 24H2. The laptop has TPM 2.0, but has a proc that is just outside of MS specs. Still, Win11 runs reliably and rather snappy. The problem is that on boot, after the HP logo/BIOS boot, Windows takes about 30 seconds to show the logon page. Then, it can take a while to open to the desktop. It has never been anywhere near this slow in the years I've owned this machine.

I know that I can go back to the previous version of Win11, but I'd like to try to work this out if I can. I've done all of the typical "fixes" from disabling FastBoot, to limiting startup programs and more - all the stuff that routine YouTube videos cover. With FastBoot enabled, it's faster for sure, but my keyboard drivers don't seem to be loading and I have no access to the keyboard.

So, are there any fixes, hacks, etc., that you would recommend?
TIA!
-bjk

EXACTLY, (step-by-step), how are you shutting down your PC? And on a power on boot, EXACTLY what happens time wise? For example, how long does it take to display the desktop icons after Win11's taskbar displays?

With that info, I may have a tip.

billyjk · May 11, 2025

@mck - thanks for the offer to help.

Shutting down:
- Close all open apps.
- Chose Shut Down from the icon on the Start Menu
- Let it shut down completely.
- Wait a minute or two.

Power on boot
- Press power button on side of Spectre laptop
- After 3 seconds, the HP logo displays, and remains displayed for about 6 seconds
- Then, the screen goes black for 20-25 seconds - about 3 seconds into this process, the Win11 start-up tone is heard
- Enter PIN
- Spinning process icon displays for 1-15 seconds - it varies
- The desktop and taskbar displays with icons (sometimes, the taskbar displays without icons for about 5 seconds)

mck · May 11, 2025

billyjk said:
@mck - thanks for the offer to help.

Shutting down:
- Close all open apps.
- Chose Shut Down from the icon on the Start Menu
- Let it shut down completely.
- Wait a minute or two.

Power on boot
- Press power button on side of Spectre laptop
- After 3 seconds, the HP logo displays, and remains displayed for about 6 seconds
- Then, the screen goes black for 20-25 seconds - about 3 seconds into this process, the Win11 start-up tone is heard
- Enter PIN
- Spinning process icon displays for 1-15 seconds - it varies
- The desktop and taskbar displays with icons (sometimes, the taskbar displays without icons for about 5 seconds)

Maybe try the following and see if it helps:

DISABLE FAST STARTUP IN UEFI:
- - As you know, UEFI replaces BIOS in modern PCs.

I've discovered that Windows 11 will do a fast startup even if fast startup is disabled. But disable Win11's fast startup anyway by:
- - Navigate to the Control Panel, then Power Options, and then choose what the power buttons do. Click on "Change settings that are currently unavailable," uncheck "Turn on fast startup," and save the changes.

SHUTDOWN USING THIS METHOD:
- - Press Winkey+X to bring up the Win-X menu.
- - Hover over "Shutdown or signout".
- - While holding the shiftkey down, click "Shutdown".
This will force a "complete" shutdown and prevent a fast Win11 startup on the next power on boot.
I've found that just clicking "Shutdown" without holding the shift key down will allow Win11 to always do a fast startup shutdown.

POWER ON BOOT INTO WIN11:
- - Press the power on button on the case.
- - Will boot into UEFI and then to Win11's splash screen to enter the password or PIN.
- - - - Note that there will be four thumbnail windows at the bottom of the screen. This indicates a full startup.
- - - - (When doing a Win11 fast startup, the 4 thumbnail windows do not appear. At least for me anyway.)
- - - - After entering your PIN, Win11 should INSTANTLY display the taskbar and all of the desktop icons.
- - - - There will not be any delay what-so-ever to display the desktop icons. This method fixes the "slow to display desktop icons problem".

Do let us know what happens.
For me, I want a "complete" power on boot when I power my PCs on in the morning. I never want any type of fast startup (UEFI or Win11) on power on boot. I want completely fresh PCs on power on boots when pressing the power on button on the case.

billyjk · May 12, 2025

@mck
Thanks for that insight. Your process does display the desktop with icons quickly after entering the PIN. Thanks for that.

The bigger issue is the 20-25 seconds of black screen prior to the Win11 splash screen. I can get that splash to display right away with Fast Startup enabled, but that causes the keyboard drivers not to load.

Overall, I think I'll just roll with this delay.
I'll just meditate in that time. :)

XxXxX · May 12, 2025

Q. if i may.
is your desktop back ground just a solid colour instead of a picture.

reason for asking.
in the past on Windows systems on start-up it would be looking for the desktop display picture, even if you didn't have one, so would have about a 30 second delay until it moved on to loading the desktop as it could not find a picture to load as there was no picture too load.

just a thought, if you don't have a desktop picture please try putting one in place, then try a restart.

best of luck, Steve ..

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