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How To Guides

Solutions to Address Slow Boot Times in Windows 11

Solutions to Address Slow Boot Times in Windows 11

Solutions to Address Slow Boot Times in Windows 11

For users of Windows 11, one of the most aggravating problems is a delayed startup time. You anticipate that your computer will boot up in a short amount of time; yet, you are forced to wait for a number of minutes before you are allowed to use the desktop. There are a number of variables that may cause boot times to be much slower than normal, including applications that are running in the background, apps that launch when the computer starts up, drivers that are out of current, and misconfigurations of the system. This is despite the fact that Windows 11 is built with speed and efficiency in mind. Fortunately, the majority of these problems may be resolved by making a few little modifications to the system.

Turn off any programs that start up automatically but are not required.

The excessive number of applications that start up at the same time is one of the most prevalent reasons for delayed boot times. By default, a lot of apps will add themselves to the list of applications that launch when the computer starts up. As a result, they deplete system resources before you have even started working.

You may open Task Manager by simultaneously hitting the Control, Shift, and Escape keys.

Navigate to the tab labeled “Startup apps.”

When the computer is first turned on, disable the apps that you do not need; keep the antivirus software and other necessary services activated.

This single action has the potential to significantly reduce the amount of time it takes for your computer to start up.

Scan for the Presence of Viruses and Malware

When harmful programs are loading in the background, malware infestations might result in substantial slowdowns during the startup phase. In order to guarantee that your system is free of any viruses, you should do a complete system scan by using Windows Security or an antivirus program from a reliable third party.

Make Sure That Windows and Your Drivers Are Up to Date

When the system is booting up, the process might be delayed due to outdated or incompatible drivers. By the same token, performance issues might be introduced into the system by a failure to install system updates.

  • Go to the Settings menu, go to Windows Update, and then install any updates that are waiting to be installed.
  • It is recommended that you check for drivers that are no longer up to date by using Device Manager, with particular attention given to graphics drivers, storage drivers, and chipset drivers.
  • Smooth communication between the operating system and the hardware is guaranteed by software that has been updated.

Turn on Fast Startup

Fast Startup is a feature that is included into Windows 11. It combines the standard shutdown procedure with hibernation in order to accelerate the process of booting up the system.

  • Navigate to Power Options, which may be found in the Control Panel.
  • Click on the option that says “Choose what the power buttons do.”
  • Activate the suggested setting, which is to turn on rapid startup.
  • If this option is not available, it may be necessary for you to first activate hibernation by using Command Prompt.

Change the settings for virtual memory

The speed at which the system starts up may be decreased if the virtual memory (paging file) is not configured correctly.

  • Proceed to Advanced system settings after opening System Properties.
  • Go to the Performance section, then click on Settings, followed by Advanced, and finally Virtual memory.
  • You may either choose to have the size of the paging file controlled automatically, or you can set up a custom size depending on your RAM.
  • This guarantees that Windows has a enough amount of virtual memory to effectively manage the many tasks that occur when booting up.

Deactivate Services That Are Not Required

It is common for background services to operate quietly and increase startup times. Although it is not essential to deactivate all services, it is possible to securely cease those that are not required.

Press the Windows key and the R key simultaneously, enter the command “msconfig,” and then press the Enter key.

Navigate to the Services tab.

Check Any third-party services that are not absolutely necessary should be disabled, and all Microsoft services should be hidden.

Make sure not to deactivate any system functions that are essential to the operation of the computer.

Clear off the cache and temporary files.

Accumulations of temporary files, obsolete caches, and logs may create performance concerns.

In order to eliminate files that are not required, you should make use of either Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense.

To ensure that the boot process remains clean, be sure to routinely clear the prefetch and cache files.

Use Task Manager to Determine the Impact of Startups

Windows 11 allows you to keep track of which applications cause the most significant delays in the boot process.

  • Go to the Startup effect column in Task Manager and examine the values there.
  • Applications that have a significant effect should be turned off unless they are absolutely necessary.
  • This assists in determining which initiatives are most in need of immediate attention.

Make the Best Possible Use of the BIOS and Boot Settings

It is very uncommon for delays to occur even before Windows has had a chance to load. Visit the BIOS/UEFI settings of your computer, and:

  • Make your main storage disk the first device that is booted up.
  • If the option is available, be sure to enable Quick Boot or any other comparable settings.
  • For improvements in stability, you should make sure that your BIOS is updated to the most recent version.

Inspect for Hardware Malfunctions

Slow boot times might be an indication that some of the components are about to fail:

  • Hard disks that are mechanical take longer to start up than solid-state drives (SSDs). You should think about switching to an SSD if you are still utilizing an HDD.
  • Problems with Random-Access Memory (RAM): If the RAM is defective or there is not enough of it, the starting process might be delayed.
  • Problems with the Motherboard or Power Supply: In a few exceptional situations, longer boot times may be the result of hardware defects.

If it is required, reset or reinstall Windows.

If none of the aforementioned options are successful, it is possible that the fundamental reason is corruption of the system. You may refresh Windows while retaining your data by using the “Reset this PC” option in Settings, or you can do a clean reinstall to start from scratch.

This research endeavor has provided the opportunity to investigate the relationship between the use of cannabis and the incidence of mental health disorders.

 

There are a number of possible reasons why Windows 11 may have slow start times. These reasons might range from basic program settings to more complex problems with the hardware. It is possible to restore the efficiency of your system by turning off startup applications that are not needed, activating quick startup, cleaning system files, and making certain that your drivers and updates are up to date. If you want to see long-term improvements, you should think about upgrading to an SSD and making sure that your computer is properly maintained. If Windows 11 is set up with the proper methods, it may provide the quick and responsive launch experience that it was originally intended to provide.

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How To Guides

How to Make Use of Clipboard History in Windows 11

How to Make Use of Clipboard History in Windows 11

How to Make Use of Clipboard History in Windows 11

On any computer, copying and pasting is one of the features that is used most often. In the past, the clipboard was only able to save one thing at a time, which meant that as you copied new material, the previously stored item was deleted. With the built-in Clipboard History feature that Windows 11 offers, users are able to save and manage many copied things in order to increase their productivity and enhance their experience. This application is particularly helpful for students, professionals, and anybody who often deals with text, photos, or files.

What Exactly Is Clipboard History?

Clipboard History is a feature included in Windows 11 that stores the most recent objects that you copy, regardless of whether they are photos, text, or links, and it allows you to access them at a later time. Windows keeps a record of numerous entries in a history panel that you may retrieve at any time, rather than overwriting your clipboard every time you copy anything, as it would otherwise do.

What is the Reason for Making Use of Clipboard History?

Save Time: There is no need to continuously re-copy stuff.

  • Multi-Item Access: Keep several copies of items stored in a database and reuse them as required.
  • Synchronization across many devices: When synchronization is enabled, it is possible to share clipboard data across several devices.
  • Compatible with a Wide Range of Content: Functions with text, photos, HTML, and even emojis.

Turning on Clipboard History

The Clipboard History feature in Windows 11 may be disabled by default. To make it possible:

  • Press the Windows key and the V key at the same time.
  • whether the function is turned off, a pop-up window will appear, asking you whether you would want to turn on the Clipboard History.
  • Alternatively, you may go to Settings, then to System, then to Clipboard, and then choose the option to enable the Clipboard history feature.
  • Once the clipboard manager is activated, every object that you copy will be kept in the clipboard manager.

Gaining Access to the Clipboard History

In order to see the objects that you have saved to your clipboard:

  • At any point, press Win + V.
  • You will see a screen that displays the objects that you have recently copied.
  • By clicking on any of the items in the list, you may paste it right into your document or application.

Pinning Items of Importance from the Clipboard

There are certain objects that have been duplicated that you use often, and you may not want them to be replaced or misplaced. You have the ability to pin objects in your Clipboard History when you use Windows 11:

  • Use the Win + V key combination to open the clipboard history.
  • Move your mouse over the item you want to retain, and then click on the pin icon.
  • Even if you clear your history, pinned objects will continue to stay in your clipboard until you actively unpin them.

Synchronizing the Clipboard Across Multiple Devices

It is possible to synchronize the data on your clipboard if you use the same Microsoft account on more than one Windows device:

  • Navigate to the Clipboard settings by going to Settings, then System.
  • Switch the “Sync” function on across all of your devices.
  • Decide whether you would want to do synchronization automatically or manually.
  • This function allows for the effortless copying of text from one device and the instantaneous pasting of it into another device.

Cleaning Up the Clipboard’s History

There are times when you may wish to delete your clipboard data, whether it is for privacy or storage reasons:

  • Navigate to the following location: Settings > System > Clipboard.
  • Choose to clear the data from the clipboard.
  • In addition, it is possible to eliminate certain things from your history by opening Win + V and erasing each item one by one.

Suggestions for Making the Most of Clipboard History

You may use pinned things for popular answers, links, or signatures.

  • In order to ensure that your privacy is protected, you should make it a habit to regularly delete outdated items from your clipboard.
  • To capture and reuse photos, combine the Snipping Tool with the clipboard history feature.
  • For the most productivity, use it in conjunction with text-based processes such as coding, document editing, or research.

Things to Remember When Considering Possible Limitations

The Clipboard History may hold a maximum of 25 items; if the limit is reached, the oldest entries are immediately deleted.

The storage of goods is only permitted if they are less than a specified size, which is normally about four megabytes.

It is possible that large files or formats that are not supported will not show up in the history.

This research endeavor has provided the opportunity to investigate the relationship between the use of cannabis and the incidence of mental health disorders.

 

In Windows 11, the Clipboard History function is simple but nevertheless effective. It greatly enhances productivity by giving you the ability to retrieve many objects that have been copied whenever you need them. You will have far more versatility than you would with a conventional clipboard that can only hold one thing at a time since you will have the capability to pin, sync, and manage the items on your clipboard. You will save time and optimize your workflow if you learn Clipboard History, regardless of whether you are working on coding projects, papers, or everyday duties.

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How To Guides

How to Make the Most of the Task Manager: A Professional’s Guide

How to Make the Most of the Task Manager: A Professional's Guide

How to Make the Most of the Task Manager: A Professional’s Guide

In the Windows operating system, one of the most powerful tools available to users is the Task Manager; nonetheless, it is also one of the most misused. The information that can be gleaned from it is more extensive than just using it to force-close applications that are not responding, which is what many people use it for. The Task Manager can really give in-depth insights into a variety of aspects, including the optimization of startup, the performance of the system, resource utilization, and even security monitoring. You will be able to diagnose problems, enhance performance, and have a better understanding of what is going on inside your computer if you learn how to use Task Manager like a professional.

Opening the Task Manager

There are a number of different methods that may be used to access Task Manager.

To go to the shortcut directly, press the Ctrl, Shift, and Esc keys at the same time.

Press the Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys simultaneously and then choose Task Manager.

Select the Task Manager option by right-clicking on the Taskbar.

In the Start menu, look for “Task Manager.”

Task Manager Views: Simple vs. Detailed

When you initially launch Task Manager, you could only be presented with a basic interface that displays just the apps that are currently executing. If you click on the “More details” button at the bottom of the page, you will get the whole list of tabs and tools. The genuine source of power is located in this more comprehensive perspective.

  • Processes Tab: Handling Programs and Tasks That Run in the Background
  • The names of every program that is now running and all of the background services are shown under the Processes tab.
  • End Task: In order to terminate an application immediately, highlight the program and then click the “End task” button.
  • Resource Columns: Keep track of the amount of CPU, memory, storage, network, and GPU that is being used in real time.
  • Sort Processes: To find out which applications are using the most amount of resources, click on a column heading such as CPU (central processing unit).

Pro Tip: If you feel that your computer is running slowly, you may filter programs by CPU or memory use to quickly see which processes are using the most resources.

The Performance Tab: Keeping Track of System Health

Live graphs of CPU, RAM, disk, GPU, and network activity are all available on the Performance tab.

  • CPU: Take a look at the core use, speed, and uptime of the processor.
  • Memory: Check to see how much random access memory is now available in comparison to how much is being used.
  • Disk: In order to determine where storage bottlenecks are occurring, check the read and write speeds.
  • Internet Connection: Keep an eye on how much of the bandwidth is being used by Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
  • GPU: Examine the dedicated graphics performance and the amount of video memory (VRAM) that is being used.

This page is very necessary in order to validate whether or not your hardware is being used to its maximum potential or to diagnose performance problems.

The “App History” tab allows for the monitoring of resource use over time.

The App History page displays the amount of time the CPU has been used by each program, as well as the amount of network bandwidth that has been used by each application. This is very helpful for keeping track of how much Windows Store applications are being used. In contrast to offering real-time statistics, it gives historical data, which assists you in determining which applications routinely take a significant amount of resources.

Startup Tab: Enhancing the Speed of Booting

Windows boot times may be slowed down by having an excessive number of starting applications. You may use the Startup tab to:

  • Take a look at every application that is launched when your computer is turned on.
  • Consult the Startup Impact Rating (which might be low, medium, or high).
  • By right-clicking, you may choose whether or not you want startup programs to be active.

Pro Tip: One of the quickest methods for accelerating the boot-up time of your computer is to disable any starting applications that are not required.

Users Tab: Observing the Activities of Multiple Users

The “Users” page provides information on which users are currently logged into the system, as well as how much of the system’s resources each of them is using. This is particularly helpful for shared computers or computers used in the office. It allows you to determine whether or not another account is using a significant amount of resources.

Advanced process management is available under the “Details” tab.

If you want to take a more in-depth look at all of the processes that are currently operating on your system, you may visit the Details page.

  • Establish Priority: Modify the process priority in order to allocate either a greater or a lesser amount of CPU time.
  • Set Affinity: In order to optimize performance, assign an application to particular CPU cores.
  • Carry out an analysis of the wait chain in order to determine the reason why a certain process is not responding.
  • Pro Tip: When it comes to applications that are particularly demanding, performance may be improved by altering the priority; nevertheless, it is important to exercise caution since if the values are set incorrectly, it might result in instability.

Services Tab: Administration of Services That Run in the Background

All of the services available on Windows, regardless of whether they are currently operating or stopped, are shown under the Services tab. You have the ability to:

  • Manually initiate or terminate services.
  • For more sophisticated control, open the Services Manager.
  • Determine which processes are associated with which services.
  • This page is beneficial for resolving issues with system services that might be malfunctioning or creating delays in the system’s performance.

Accessing Resource Monitor using Task Manager

Additionally, Task Manager gives a connection to Resource Monitor, which offers an even more detailed view of the activities of the central processing unit (CPU), memory, disk, and network. To be able to access it:

Open the Performance tab.

  • At the bottom of the screen, you will see a button that says “Open Resource Monitor.” Click on it.
  • When it comes to identifying complicated performance problems, Resource Monitor is a fantastic tool.
  • Using Task Manager to Handle Security and Troubleshooting
  • In addition to that, Task Manager may be useful for identifying suspicious behavior.
  • Seek for procedures that are not recognized that are using a great deal of resources.
  • Make sure that there are not any apps operating on your computer without your awareness.

Determine which applications have unusual network utilization.

In the event that anything seems dubious, you have the option of right-clicking on the process and selecting either “Open file location” or “Search online” in order to confirm whether or not it is legitimate.

  • Suggestions for Using Task Manager in a Professional Manner
  • For quick access, use Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Keyboard Shortcuts menu.
  • Custom Columns: You may add further data, such as command line or process ID, by right-clicking headers.
  • Graph pinning may be accomplished by right-clicking on graphs in the Performance tab. This action will show the graphs in a floating window.

Right-click any process and then choose “Enable Efficiency Mode” to activate it. Doing so will decrease the amount of power the process utilizes (Windows 11).

This research endeavor has provided the opportunity to investigate the relationship between the use of cannabis and the incidence of mental health disorders.

 

Task Manager is not only a basic utility that allows you to shut down applications that are no longer responding. When used in the correct manner, it becomes a window into the inner workings of your system, which makes it easier for you to keep track of performance, optimize startup, manage processes, and even discover risks that could be lurking. If you want to be able to utilize Task Manager like an expert, you need to delve into the many tabs and capabilities it offers; this will allow you to get complete control over your Windows system.