Does your PC take an age to boot up in the morning? Do you feel like you’re waiting around forever before you can even open your web browser? A slow startup can be incredibly frustrating, wasting valuable time and making your entire computing experience feel sluggish.
At AS Computer Solutions here in Onoway, we frequently encounter computers that are bogged down by unnecessary programs launching at startup and system settings that hinder rather than help performance. The good news is that with a few strategic tweaks, you can significantly reduce your boot time and ensure your PC is ready to go when you are.
You don’t need to be a tech wizard to achieve a faster startup. This blog post will walk you through actionable steps to trim the fat from your PC’s boot process, getting you productive quicker.
✅ Step 1: Manage Your Startup Programs
One of the biggest culprits for slow boot times is the sheer number of applications that automatically launch when your computer starts. Many programs, when installed, are configured to run in the background from the moment you log in, consuming valuable system resources.
Why It Changes Everything:
Reduced Resource Consumption: Fewer programs launching at startup mean more RAM and CPU available for the tasks you actually want to do.
Faster Boot Times: Your computer doesn’t have to load as many applications, leading to a quicker transition from power-on to desktop.
Improved Overall Performance: Less background activity means your PC feels snappier even after it’s fully booted.
How to Do It:
For Windows Users:
Open Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc (or Ctrl + Alt + Del and select Task Manager).
Go to the “Startup” tab.
Here, you’ll see a list of programs configured to start with Windows. Pay attention to the “Startup impact” column (High, Medium, Low, or None).
Disable Unnecessary Programs: Right-click on any program you don’t need to run immediately upon startup (e.g., Spotify, Steam, Adobe Creative Cloud desktop apps if you don’t use them constantly). Select “Disable.”
Pro Tip: Be cautious about disabling essential system processes or antivirus software. If you’re unsure, search for the program’s name online to understand its function.
For macOS Users:
Go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
Click on General (or Users & Groups).
Select Login Items.
You’ll see a list of applications that open automatically when you log in.
Remove Unnecessary Programs: Select any application you don’t want to launch at startup and click the minus (“-“) button to remove it. You can also toggle off items under “Allow in Background.”
✅ Step 2: Clean Up Unnecessary Services
Beyond visible startup programs, your operating system runs numerous background services. While many are crucial for system operation, some are installed by third-party applications and aren’t always necessary. Disabling non-essential services can free up system resources and further reduce boot time.
Why It Changes Everything:
Deeper Optimization: Targets background processes that might not appear in your standard startup lists.
More Efficient Resource Use: Prevents services from consuming CPU cycles and RAM when they’re not needed.
How to Do It:
For Windows Users:
Open Services Manager: Press Windows Key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
You’ll see a list of all services on your system.
Identify and Modify: Look for services from third-party applications that you rarely use. Right-click on a service and select “Properties.”
In the “Startup type” dropdown, change it from “Automatic” to “Manual” (meaning it only starts when a program calls for it) or “Disabled” (meaning it won’t start at all).
Caution: Do not disable services related to your operating system (e.g., Windows Update, Plug and Play), hardware drivers, or security software unless you know exactly what you’re doing. Disabling critical services can lead to system instability. If in doubt, leave it alone or research thoroughly.
✅ Step 3: Optimize Your Boot Configuration
For more advanced users, tweaking your boot configuration can also shave off precious seconds. This involves adjusting settings related to how your operating system initializes.
Why It Changes Everything:
Fine-tuned Boot Process: Allows for specific optimizations that aren’t available through standard settings.
Faster Hardware Detection: Can sometimes speed up how quickly your system identifies and initializes hardware components.
How to Do It:
For Windows Users (using MSConfig):
Open System Configuration: Press Windows Key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
Go to the “Boot” tab.
Set No GUI Boot: Check the box for “No GUI boot.” This eliminates the Windows loading screen, making startup appear faster.
Adjust Processor Cores (Advanced Users Only):
Click on “Advanced options…”
Check “Number of processors” and select the maximum number from the dropdown. This tells Windows to utilize all available CPU cores during startup.
Note: While often recommended, modern Windows versions are typically good at utilizing cores by default. This step might offer minimal improvement on newer systems but can help older ones.
Click OK and then Apply. You will be prompted to restart your computer.
For macOS Users:
macOS generally manages its boot process efficiently and doesn’t offer user-accessible options akin to msconfig. The primary way to speed up macOS boot times is through managing login items (as mentioned in Step 1) and ensuring your drive isn’t excessively full.
Additional Tips for a Faster PC:
Keep Your OS Updated: Microsoft and Apple regularly release updates that include performance improvements and bug fixes.
Run Disk Cleanup/Storage Optimization: Regularly clean temporary files and old system files.
Defragment Your Hard Drive (HDD only): If you still use an HDD, defragmenting it can improve access times. (SSDs do not need defragmentation and it can actually reduce their lifespan.)
Use an SSD: This is the single most impactful upgrade for boot and overall system speed. If you don’t have one, consider installing an SSD.
Scan for Malware: Malicious software can run in the background and significantly slow down your system.
Mouse or Keyboard Not Working? Try These Quick Fixes Before Calling for Help
Few things are more frustrating than a suddenly unresponsive mouse or keyboard—especially when you’re right in the middle of something important. Whether you’re replying to emails, working on a spreadsheet, or just Browse, losing control of your input devices can grind your entire workflow to a halt.
At AS Computer Solutions here in Onoway, we get calls about this issue all the time. The good news? You might not need a new mouse or keyboard—or even a service call. Most of the time, the fix is quick and simple. So before you panic or start shopping for replacements, try these easy steps first.
✅ Step 1: Rule Out the Basics
Let’s start with the obvious (but often overlooked):
🔄 Reboot Your Computer
It sounds cliché, but a quick restart often clears up temporary bugs or software glitches affecting input devices.
🔌 Check the Connections
For Wired Devices:
Unplug and reconnect the USB cable.
Try a different USB port—especially one directly on the back of your desktop or laptop.
For Wireless Devices:
USB Receiver (Dongle): Make sure it’s securely plugged in. Try another port if needed.
Power Switch: Double-check that it’s turned ON.
Batteries: Swap in fresh batteries—even if the old ones were “just replaced.”
Re-pairing (Bluetooth): You may need to re-sync the device to your computer. Refer to the manual for instructions.
🛠️ Step 2: Targeted Troubleshooting
Depending on what’s acting up, here’s what to do next:
📌 Scenario 1: Only the Mouse or Keyboard Isn’t Working
When one device works but the other doesn’t, it’s likely a fault with the device itself or its connection.
Try This:
Test the device on another computer.
If it works there, your original system may have a driver or port issue.
If it doesn’t, the device might be faulty.
For Windows Users:
Press Windows + X, select Device Manager.
Expand Keyboards or Mice and other pointing devices.
Look for any ⚠️ yellow exclamation marks or ❌ red Xs.
Right-click the affected device and select:
Update driver
Or Uninstall device → then reboot to reinstall it automatically.
For Bluetooth Devices:
Windows: Settings > Bluetooth & Devices → Make sure Bluetooth is on. Remove and re-pair the device.
macOS: System Settings > Bluetooth → Remove and re-add the device.
⚠️ Scenario 2: Neither Mouse nor Keyboard Is Working
This can be tricky since you can’t easily navigate menus.
Try This:
Unplug everything except power and monitor. Restart the system.
Then plug in just the mouse or keyboard one at a time.
Test multiple USB ports—front and back. Try both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 if available.
Boot into Safe Mode:
On Windows: Hold Shift during restart, or tap F8 repeatedly during boot (older systems).
On Mac: Hold Shift immediately after powering on.
If things work in Safe Mode, a software or driver conflict is likely.
Inspect cables, connectors, and ports for physical damage.
🔄 Scenario 3: Mouse Works, Keyboard Doesn’t (or Vice Versa)
This often indicates a driver issue or hardware failure in the non-working device.
Follow the steps under “Check Device Manager” and test the faulty device on another computer to isolate the issue.
🧰 Still No Luck? Bring It to the Pros
If none of the above fixes do the trick, don’t stress—AS Computer Solutions is here to help.
We can:
Run advanced diagnostics to identify system or driver conflicts
Repair or replace damaged ports or input devices
Check for underlying issues like malware or system corruption
Recommend reliable replacement options that suit your needs
🏡 Local. Reliable. Ready to Help.
Serving Onoway and surrounding communities, AS Computer Solutions is your go-to for friendly, affordable tech support.
Don’t let input issues slow you down. Try the steps above first, and if you’re still stuck, give us a shout. We’ll get your mouse, keyboard—and your productivity—back on track.
Call or visit us today:
📞 (780) 967 0215
📍 Onoway, Alberta
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