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Speed up Windows startup

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Recommendation

Situational

Apply if a fast start of startup programs right after sign-in matters more than a smooth filling of the taskbar.

All programs start simultaneously: the peak load on the CPU and disk right after sign-in may be higher.

Startup delay
Removed
Startup apps list
Unchanged
Total sign-in time
Not measured

What changes

Section titled “What changes”

After sign-in, Windows starts some startup programs not immediately but with a historical delay — the taskbar fills with icons gradually. This setting removes that delay: startup programs start immediately, and the icons appear earlier. The composition of startup apps does not change — the same programs start, just without the pause.

Exceptions and differences

Section titled “Exceptions and differences”

A reduction in total sign-in time is not promised: all programs start simultaneously, and the peak load on the CPU and disk right after sign-in may increase. For a fast ready desktop, first shorten the list itself — the «Startup apps» section. On new Windows builds the mechanism may be absent: where the setting is not supported, BoosterX hides it. The mechanism, without a promise of acceleration, is confirmed in the shell research.

How to verify the result

Section titled “How to verify the result”

Restart and, after sign-in, watch the taskbar: note the moment when the icons of startup programs appear. With the setting enabled, they should appear earlier than with the default delay — compare two sign-ins in a row.

How to change and revert

Section titled “How to change and revert”

In BoosterX, open «Optimization» → «Customization» → «Windows Shell» → «Speed Up Windows Startup» and turn on the toggle. Click «Apply» at the bottom of the page; with «Instant Apply» enabled, the change is applied immediately. To revert, turn off the setting and click «Apply» — the default delay returns.

Confirmation

Section titled “Confirmation”
  • BoosterX shell research: the mechanism is confirmed without a promise of reducing startup time.
  • Managing the list itself: «Startup apps».
  • The startup delay of startup programs was verified against Windows behavior and the shell research; no public Microsoft documentation about this mechanism was found as of the verification date, so the statement remains without an external source.

Last verified: 2026-09-19.