Is there a defective part in the PC that could be causing the slow startup on a fresh installation?
Is there a defective part in the PC that could be causing the slow startup on a fresh installation?
I used to face sluggish startup times on computers long ago after changing several drivers simultaneously. Eventually I had to install a spare drive and reinstall Windows.
After that, I began updating drivers one at a time, disconnecting the computer from the internet each time, and creating a System Restore after adding each new driver.
Over time, the issue would return, so I would revert to the earlier restore point and check for alternative versions of the problematic driver.
These steps assume your hardware is functioning properly, only the operating system is affected.
Modern DDR5 systems may also experience slow starts due to memory "retraining".
Memory retraining is best performed only during the first boot, not every time. Loading multiple drivers simultaneously may cause issues. System restore should always create a restore point after each new driver installation, which is its primary purpose.
Thank you both for your feedback! After much work on updating and testing the speed of the new drive, it became clear there was a problem with the SSD. We will be replacing it soon and using the backup drive until the new one arrives. The start-up time remains slow, but applications are opening and we can now play games again.