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This guide details <strong>how you can troubleshoot and fix a slow boot</strong>. This guide details general tips that you can apply for these Windows versions: <strong>XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10</strong>.
<h2>Fixes for a slow boot</h2>
<h3>Fix #1: Check the HDD and/or RAM</h3>
If the slow booting of your computer is caused by a failing HDD/SSD, test your hard disk or RAM memory.
<p class="info">For more information on how to check HDD/SSD for failures, read this <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/check-hdd-ssd-failures/">this guide</a>.</p>
To do so, run Automated Repair from Easy Recovery Essentials (our recovery and repair disc). It will report any issues found with your HDD or RAM memory.

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<h3>Fix #2: Disable startup applications</h3>
If the slow booting is caused by a startup software application or service, you can troubleshoot the exact application causing this by disabling each application with the help of the <code>msconfig</code> utility.

If, after removing/disabling a specific software application, your computer begins to boot correctly and not slow as it was, the issue can be from that software application. Try to update it to the latest available version.

To run <code>msconfig</code>, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Boot into your system</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Start</strong></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Run</strong></li>
 	<li>Type:
<pre>msconfig</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd> or click <strong>OK</strong></li>
 	<li>Go to the Startup or <strong>Services</strong> tab</li>
 	<li>Disable all services listed in this tab</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>OK</strong></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Restart</strong></li>
 	<li>Restart the computer</li>
</ol>
If your computer still boots slowly, go to <a href="#Fix_2_Disable_startup_applications">Fix #2</a>.
<h3>Fix #3: Delete temporary files</h3>
<p class="info">For more information how to delete temporary files, <a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/delete-temporary-files-folders/">read this guide</a>.</p>
Large volumes of temporary files (stored in the specific <code>%temp%</code> folder on Windows) may slow down your computer, including the booting process.

To delete the temporary files on your computer, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Start your computer</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Start</strong></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Run</strong></li>
 	<li>Type:
<pre>%temp%</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd> or click <strong>OK</strong></li>
 	<li>Go to <strong>Folder Options</strong> (Tools &gt; Folder Options for Windows XP; Organize or Tools &gt; Folder Options for Windows Vista or 7)</li>
 	<li>Go to <strong>View</strong></li>
 	<li>At the <em>Hidden files and folders</em> section, check the <strong>Show hidden files, folders, or drive</strong> checkbox</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>OK</strong></li>
 	<li>Select all files and folders from the Temporary folder</li>
 	<li>Right-click and click <strong>Delete</strong></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Yes</strong> to confirm the deletion of these files and folders</li>
</ol>
If you're not able to boot into Windows to delete the temporary files, use Automated Repair from <a href="https://neosmart.net/EasyRE/">Easy Recovery Essentials</a> (our recovery and repair disc). Besides find and fixing boot errors automatically, it can delete temporary files automatically.
<h3>Fix #4: Defragment HDD</h3>
Having a fragmented hard-disk might slow your computer and how it boots.

Using the Disk Defragmenter utility from Windows, you can rearrange the fragmentation of your hard-disk to make it run more efficiently.

To defragment your hard-disk, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Start your computer and boot into Windows</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Start</strong></li>
 	<li>Search for <strong>Disk Defragmenter</strong></li>
 	<li>At the <em>Current Status</em> section, select the disk you want to defragment. If you have multiple disks listed, defragment all disks.</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Defragment disk</strong></li>
</ol>
<h3>Fix #5: Check for viruses</h3>
Download and run a scan with an up-to-date antivirus software application.

If you don't have one and/or if you can't boot into Windows, you can use Easy Recovery Essentials built-in antivirus scanner which can run outside Windows.

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<h3>Fix #6: Run Startup Repair</h3>
The Startup Repair utility can find and fix various errors that may prevent your computer to boot correctly. If the slow boot is caused by a boot error, Startup Repair will attempt to fix the error.

The Startup Repair utility is available only on Windows Vista and Windows 7 systems. For Windows XP systems, follow the next set of instructions, at <a href="#Fix_7_Run_chkdsk_and_sfc">Fix #7</a>.
<ol>
 	<li>Insert the Windows Vista or Windows 7 installation disc (the install DVD) and boot from it</li>
 	<li>At the <em>Welcome</em> screen, click <strong>Repair your computer</strong>

[caption id="attachment_1505" align="alignnone" width="800"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1505" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/10/Install-Now-Windows-7.jpg" alt="Windows 7 setup Install Now dialog, with repair your computer link" width="800" height="600" /> Install Now (Windows 7)[/caption]</li>
 	<li>Choose your operating system and click <strong>Next</strong> to continue</li>
 	<li>At System Recovery Options, select <strong>Startup Repair</strong>

[caption id="attachment_1972" align="alignnone" width="485"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1972" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/05/windows-7-system-recovery-options-screen.jpg" alt="Windows 7 System Recovery Options Screen" width="485" height="362" /> Windows 7 System Recovery Options Screen[/caption]</li>
 	<li>After Startup Repair finished the process, restart your computer</li>
</ol>
<h3>Fix #7: Run chkdsk and sfc</h3>
If you have Windows XP, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Insert the Windows XP CD and boot from it</li>
 	<li>At Welcome to Setup, press <kbd>R</kbd>

[caption id="attachment_1993" align="alignnone" width="636"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1993" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/05/windows-xp-r-recovery-console.jpg" alt="Windows XP Press R for Recovery Console" width="636" height="380" /> Windows XP Press R for Recovery Console[/caption]</li>
 	<li>Type:
<pre>chkdsk C: /r</pre>
Replace <code>C:</code> is the letter of the drive where Windows is installed.</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Type:
<pre>sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows</pre>
Replace <code>C:</code> with the letter of the drive where your Windows XP is installed.</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Type <code>exit</code> and press <kbd>Enter</kbd>. Restart your computer.</li>
</ol>
If you have Windows Vista or Windows 7, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Follow the steps from <a href="#Fix_7_Run_chkdsk_and_sfc">Fix #7</a> until you reach <strong>Command Prompt</strong></li>
 	<li>When Command Prompt is loaded, type this command:
<pre>chkdsk <code>C:</code> /r</pre>
Where <code>C:</code> is the letter of the drive where your Windows Vista or Windows 7 is installed.</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Type:
<pre>sfc /scannow</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Type:
<pre>exit</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Restart your computer</li>
</ol>
If you have Windows 8 or Windows 10, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Insert the installation media (DVD or USB)</li>
 	<li>At the <em>Welcome</em> screen, click <strong>Repair your computer</strong>

[caption id="attachment_2111" align="alignnone" width="610"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2111" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/06/windows-8-repair-your-computer-screen.png" alt="Windows 8 Repair Your Computer Menu" width="610" height="430" /> Windows 8 Repair Your Computer Menu[/caption]</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Troubleshoot</strong> at the <strong>Choose an option</strong> screen

[caption id="attachment_1723" align="alignnone" width="980"]<img class="size-large wp-image-1723" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/02/windows-8-recovery-options-screen-troubleshoot-1024x687.png" alt="Troubleshoot in Windows 8 recovery options screen" width="980" height="657" /> Troubleshoot in Windows 8 recovery options screen[/caption]</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Advanced options</strong></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Command Prompt</strong></li>
 	<li>Type:
<pre>chkdsk C: /f /x /r</pre>
Replace <code>C:</code> with the letter where Windows 8/8.1 is installed.</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Type:
<pre>sfc /scannow</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Type:
<code>exit</code></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Restart your computer</li>
</ol>
<h2>Other fixes you can try</h2>
If none of the fixes presented above fixed the slow booting process of your computer, consider these tips:

<strong>Tip #1: Delete software you don't use</strong>

Software applications that you no longer use can slow your computer.

If you're not able to boot into Windows, boot into the <strong>Last Known Good Configuration</strong> or <strong>Safe Mode</strong> and try to uninstall software applications that you no longer use:
<ol>
 	<li>Restart your computer</li>
 	<li>Press the <kbd>F8</kbd> key to open the <strong>Advanced Boot Options</strong> menu

[caption id="attachment_1390" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1390" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2013/09/Advanced-Boot-Options.jpg" alt="The advanced boot options startup menu." width="1024" height="768" /> The advanced boot options startup menu.[/caption]</li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Last Known Good Configuration</strong> or <strong>Safe Mode</strong></li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
<strong>Tip #2: Upgrade RAM or install SSD</strong>

If you've already checked your HDD or RAM for faults, consider upgrading your RAM memory or switching from HDD to SSD.

<strong>Tip #3: Update drivers</strong>

If you recently added hardware drivers on your computer, make sure you have the latest available version from the manufacturer that's compatible with the Windows version you're running: XP, Vista, 7 or 8.

<strong>Tip #4: Update or reinstall Windows</strong>

Updating or reinstalling Windows might fix the slow boot.
<p class="warning">Reinstalling Windows means you will loose all data if you don't backup your personal files.</p>
You can use the Browse/Backup Files feature from <a href="https://neosmart.net/EasyRE">Easy Recovery Essentials</a> to access your computer and <strong>backup your personal files on a USB drive:</strong>

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<strong>To reinstall Windows Vista or Windows 7</strong>, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Insert the installation DVD and boot from it</li>
 	<li>Select a keyboard method and language and click <strong>Next</strong></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Install Now</strong> at the <em>Welcome</em> screen

[caption id="attachment_2109" align="alignnone" width="393"]<img class="size-full wp-image-2109" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/06/windows-vista-repair-your-computer.png" alt="Windows Vista Repair Your Computer Menu" width="393" height="277" /> Windows Vista Repair Your Computer Menu[/caption]</li>
 	<li>Follow the wizard to complete the installation process</li>
</ol>
<h2>More Information</h2>
<h3>Linked Entries</h3>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/chkdsk/">chkdsk</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/sfc/">sfc</a></li>
</ul>
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