Limit how many programs load at startup

Many programs are designed to load automatically when Windows starts up.

Software manufacturers often set their programs to open in the background, where you can’t see them running, so they’ll open right away when you click their icons.

That's helpful for programs you use a lot, but for programs you rarely or never use, this wastes processing power and slows down the time it takes Windows to finish booting up.

Sometimes it is obvious which programs are running, as there will be an icon in the taskbar. Look here first to see if there are any programs running that you don’t need. (Position your mouse over each icon to see the program name.)

Make sure you click the 'Show hidden icons' button so you don’t miss any.

Even after you have checked the taskbar there may still be some programs running automatically.

You can find and disable them using Windows Defender.

The Software Explorer screen in Windows Defender shows which programs automatically start when you launch Windows

If you’re unsure about whether a program should open automatically at startup, you can try disabling it, restarting your computer, and then using the program.

If that causes any problems with the program, you can go back and re-enable it to start automatically.

Alternatively you can also use the System Configuration tool in Windows Vista to manage which programs start automatically.