What are the available options to improve my PC’s boot time?

1. Disable unnecessary startup programs: Many programs may start running automatically when Windows starts up, which can slow down your boot speed. To disable them, open the Task Manager and navigate to the Startup tab to see what applications are enabled. From here you can enable or disable any programs you don’t need running at startup.

2. Use a Solid State Drive (SSD): An SSD is much faster than a traditional hard drive and can drastically reduce your boot time. They also tend to be more reliable and have a longer lifespan.

3. Check for Malware: Malware can slow down your PC’s boot time. Scan your computer for viruses, spyware, and other malicious software regularly.

4. Disable Fast Startup: Fast startup is a feature in Windows 10 that helps the system boot faster. However, this may not always be ideal if you need to make changes to your BIOS or make other low-level tweaks. To disable fast startup, open Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do. Uncheck “Turn on fast startup”.

5. Keep Your Windows Updated: Windows updates often contain essential performance and security fixes. To check for updates, open the Start menu, type “update” into the search bar and click “Check for Updates.”

6. Defragment the Hard Drive: Fragmented files can slow down the boot process. To defragment your hard drive, go to the Start menu > type “defragment” and click “Defragment and Optimize Drives” in the results.