Startup programs in desktop take ages to load

So I've been experiencing this pretty much from the first day after installing Windows 8.1.

It goes as follows:

1. I power on the PC (or restart), windows boots up, I put in the password and it is fairly quick to enter destkop mode.
2. Now this is when my issue occurs, the startup programs may take up to 2 minutes to start load.

This is not because my computer is slow or anything like that, it almost seems like there is a set delay and only then my programs are allowed to start loading. Once they start loading, it only takes couple of seconds. The problem is, they won't start - only after I hang in destkop for about a minute or two.

Example: my cursor software, sound card software (those two are crucial) and others... (all of the rest)

Download WinPatrol and choose to delay startup programs you don't need to be started first. Get it from here:
WinPatrol Help: Delayed Start

Alternatively, you can also navigate system configuration window and choose Normal Startup instead of selective startup. Type msconfig at the run dialog box (press 'windows' button + 'R').

Good Luck though!!

To improve the startup time delay, you can download: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/37373-startup-delay-time-reduce-windows-8-a.html . Double click to merge into the registry.

To find out which program is causing the slow startup. Open "task manager" and go to "startup" tab, right click and disable them all. Reboot to see if your startup improve then re-enable one by one, reboot again until you encounter the delay again.

In addition, if your HD is corrupted, it can also delay the startup, run chkdsk X: /f where X is the drive letter of the HD.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try them and report back.

esdee said:

So I've been experiencing this pretty much from the first day after installing Windows 8.1.

It goes as follows:

1. I power on the PC (or restart), windows boots up, I put in the password and it is fairly quick to enter destkop mode.
2. Now this is when my issue occurs, the startup programs may take up to 2 minutes to start load.

Click to expand...

I have one pc that does this - the only way I can get it to start fast is to go to Run>msconfig>Services and uncheck App Readiness. It then starts without the 2 minute delay. Several users have indicated this problem in various forums. However, when I install updates, I have to go back and check App Readiness in order to get updates to install correctly. It's some sort of a"bug" in some Windows 8.1 pc's for some reason.

I have one pc that does this - the only way I can get it to start fast is to go to Run>msconfig>Services and uncheck App Readiness. It then starts without the 2 minute delay. Several users have indicated this problem in various forums. However, when I install updates, I have to go back and check App Readiness in order to get updates to install correctly. It's some sort of a"bug" in some Windows 8.1 pc's for some reason.

Click to expand...

By default this service is set to "Manual" meaning it only runs when needed and does not run at startup.

But, I have to disable it or that particular pc takes 2 extra minutes to boot up to desktop - and I'm not alone.....

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Window...Update-to-Windows-8-1-Pro-64-bit/td-p/1357123

Windows 8.1 upgraded then login and black screen

JohnBurns said:

But, I have to disable it or that particular pc takes 2 extra minutes to boot up to desktop - and I'm not alone.....

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Window...Update-to-Windows-8-1-Pro-64-bit/td-p/1357123

Windows 8.1 upgraded then login and black screen

Click to expand...

Interesting. However, I don't have this particular problem so it must have been kicked off by some other process and get hosed up.