Sluggish start up and multitasking

Wondering if others note that Windows 8 is slower to fully load than is Windows 7 . It reaches the Desktop in approx the same time, but isn't usable for another 10' or so. I7 2600K CPU on a ASUS P8P67le MB

Multitasking also is very sluggish, when compared with its predecessor O/S. When downloads or updates are being made in the background, actions - such as loading an app - are slowed considerably.

It makes no difference whether "optimal performance" is set for programs or background services. The "visual effects" defaults are used. This is a very clean system - no malware or the like - and it runs but a few startup programs.

Once the O/S has fully loaded, and when it is not consumed by BG tasks, it is comparable in speed to Windows 7.

I have noticed this as well. I am running an i7 quad and 8GB of ram. once the system is up it is fast, but duing bootup and shutdown it is unusually slow.

Windows 8 isn't fundamentally doing anything different than Windows 7 is. The desktop subsystems and all associated device drivers and services still need to load. This is the nature of the beast. Once it settles down and has all of it's caching set up it performs fine. The 30-second start-up is an illusion. Oh yeah ... you get to the "Metro" screen in 30 seconds but you can't REALLY do anything with the machine until all services are up and running. Try loading even Microsoft Solitaire collection while the desktop initializes. It takes a LONG time to load.

Sleep mode is quick ... but cold boot? There ain't no free lunch.

-Max

My windows 7 desktop running AMD quad and 8gb ram boots up to a usable state 2 if not 3 times faster than my windows 8 laptop. I havent opened msconfig to see whats bootong yet but perhaps I will tonoght and see if there is a culprit. I had/have no illusion about the 30 second boot "claim" as I knew it was hogwash when testing the Beta. My Lenovo is factory installed windows 8 64x. I can actually get 8 to boot faster in Oracle VB in my 7 Desktop.

There's a FAST BOOT option under POWER OPTIONS|CHANGE WHAT THE POWER BUTTON DOES, but someone else will have to comment on whether that helps boot time. Tough to compare the two systems here as Win 7 is on an SSD, Win 8 is on a SATA.

Still, Win 7 used to be on that same SATA and I don't recall an extensive delay for start-up apps to load after the Desktop appeared...and multitasking didn't strike me as particularly sluggish.

As an example, when Windows updates are downloading/installing in the background, it takes 20' to launch Firefox, and that's long after boot up. I am almost certain this wasn't as pronounced in Windows 7.

New features not withstanding, from the mouse/keyboard perspective, Win 8 may be an overtaxed Win 7. The idea is good - one platform for all devices/touch-screen capabiliity - but the execution is confusing.

Agreed Borgus

borgus said:

New features not withstanding, from the mouse/keyboard perspective, Win 8 may be an overtaxed Win 7. The idea is good - one platform for all devices/touch-screen capabiliity - but the execution is confusing.

Click to expand...

Interesting way to look at it: I concur. As a power user I find it tolerable to use but I wouldn't give the system to a neophyte desktop user to use. I have no problem getting around in it but my [wife, mother-in-law, best friends] would go nuts with it. To me it's a research project but to say I need anything outside the desktop system (I.E. Metro) would be a lie.

The system seems to be working OK, though today it did go ape for awhile (Java issue?) and I had to do a system restore. Tied me up for 2 hours while I tried to troubleshoot it. I may go back to Win7 yet, though I'm trying not to - I'd rather not rebuild my machine again.

-Max

I understand Max, I am thinking of dual booting so at least I have an option when I just need to work. The 8 machine is what I use in the field and has been a frustration to say the least. I went back to an olde Xp temporarily so I wouldn't look frustrated at MS. I look at the 8 as a learning experience as well. the final product does indeed differ from the beta and now with the long boot times I look and feel like an idiot waiting for win 95 to boot up, or worse yet *ugh* Vista. I have not had the pleasure of working with 8 on a tablet yet and by the look and feel I bet it would be fine if not nice. On a non touch screen laptop or desktop it seems a waste. Ok I am off my soapbox now, sorry for the intrusion.

We're drifting off topic here, but thanks for the confirmation that I am not the only user seeing this behavior.
For your daily chuckle, MahavePC and Max, check this out...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4boTbv9_nU