To speed up your PC's startup with CCleaner, just download this free tool and change a few settings in its startup manager. In this guide, we break down step by step how to optimize Windows startup with CCleaner, which programs you can safely disable, and which you should never touch to avoid problems. Everything you need to know to make your computer start up faster is right here.
Why does Windows startup get slower over time?
Over time, Windows tends to slow down, especially during startup. The main reason is simple: many of the programs you install are configured to start automatically when you turn on your computer. The result is that your operating system needs to load dozens of programs before you can start working.
The main culprits for this slowdown are:
- Messaging apps.
- Update tools.
- Cloud services.
- Manufacturers' software.
- Web browsers with preloading for faster opening.
Each of these processes consumes RAM and processor cycles, slowing down the overall system startup. We have seen cases where computers several years old took several minutes to start up when they used to do so in less than thirty seconds.
This problem is particularly acute on computers with traditional mechanical hard drives (conventional HDDs) because the speed bottleneck is much more pronounced than on SSDs. However, even with solid-state drives, having twenty programs starting simultaneously can cause noticeable lag and slowdowns.
The good news is that you do not need to be a computer expert to fix this. CCleaner offers a visual, accessible way to manage which programs start with Windows, allowing you to regain control over your computer's startup time.
How to make your computer start up faster with CCleaner
CCleaner is a tool that helps optimize system performance. It has many features, but one of the most useful is the startup manager. This feature lets you see at a glance which applications run when Windows starts up and disable those that you do not want to start automatically.
The best thing about using CCleaner for this task is that it does not remove or uninstall programs; it simply prevents them from starting automatically. This means you can still open those applications manually when you need them, but without slowing down the system startup every time you turn on your PC.
How to access and use the CCleaner startup manager
This is the section where you have to go to remove startup programs with CCleaner
To access the CCleaner startup manager, you first need to download and install the application. Once installed, follow these steps:
- Open CCleaner and go to the Startup Manager tab in the left side menu.
- Click Manage Apps to open the startup manager.
- You will see a complete list of all programs that start with Windows.
On this screen, you will find useful information about each program: its name, publisher, path, and whether it is enabled or disabled. This information is key to making informed decisions. The classification system shows whether the impact is low, medium, or high, helping you prioritize what to disable first.
To disable a program, click the corresponding slider. We have verified that the process is instantaneous and reversible: if you need to re-enable that program, select it again and click on the slider again.
Having access to scheduled taks and Windows services is great, but be careful
An important detail: CCleaner also shows you Windows services and scheduled tasks, not just applications. This gives you much more complete control over what runs on your system at startup, but you need to be careful. If you disable a Windows service, you may lose an important feature.
Programs you can disable or remove from CCleaner's startup manager
Identifying which programs you can safely disable is essential to avoiding problems. In our tests, we have found that there are entire categories of applications that can be safely disabled:
- Messaging and communication programs. Applications such as Skype, Discord, Slack, or Telegram are often configured to start automatically. Unless you need to be available constantly, you can turn them off and open them manually when you need them. The difference is that they will not consume resources during startup.
- Cloud storage services. Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and similar services can significantly slow down startup. If you do not need immediate synchronization when you turn on your computer, disable these services. You can open them later when you really need to work with synchronized files.
- Update tools. Many programs include automatic update services that start with Windows: Adobe Update, Java Update, NVIDIA Update, among others. These processes consume valuable resources during startup and can be safely disabled. Updates will continue to work when you open the corresponding programs.
- Productivity applications. Programs such as Evernote and OneNote, if you do not use them constantly, and email clients you do not need to have open all the time, can be safely disabled.
- Computer manufacturers' utilities. Computers from brands such as HP, Dell, or Lenovo often come with proprietary software that starts automatically. In many cases, these programs only consume resources without providing critical functionality. We have noticed significant improvements after disabling this type of software.
A practical recommendation: disable programs one by one and restart to check that everything is working correctly. This method allows you to quickly identify whether an application is important for the normal functioning of your system.
Programs you should NEVER disable
Certain programs are critical to the system's functioning and should never be disabled in the startup manager. Removing or disabling them may cause stability issues or leave your computer vulnerable.
- Security software. Never disable your antivirus or system protection solutions. Although they may seem to slow down your PC's startup, their function is to protect you from the moment the computer is turned on. In any case, if you use Windows Defender, it is not accessible from CCleaner, so you do not need to worry about this.
- Essential hardware drivers. Tools for audio controllers such as Realtek or Sound Blaster, graphics cards from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel, and other hardware components. Disabling them may cause peripherals to stop working properly, or you may lose configuration options.
- Windows system services. Any entry that clearly belongs to the Windows operating system should be left active. This includes Microsoft services, system processes, and essential OS components.
- Specialized trackpad or keyboard software. If you use a laptop, touchpad drivers such as Synaptics or Elan are necessary for them to work properly. The same applies to keyboards with special functions.
- Battery utilities. On laptops, battery and power management programs are important for maintaining adequate battery life and performance.
The lesson is clear: when in doubt, do not touch it. If you are unsure what a program does, search for information on Google or ask ChatGPT before disabling it.
How to clean temporary files with CCleaner to improve performance after startup
In addition to managing startup programs, CCleaner can help improve overall system performance by cleaning up unnecessary temporary files. This cleanup complements startup optimization, as it frees up disk space and helps Windows run more smoothly.
The Custom Clean section lets you decide what you are going to remove
To clean temporary files:
- Open CCleaner and ensure you are on the Custom Clean tab.
- In the Junk section, you will see several checked boxes indicating which file types will be deleted.
- Click Scan Now to have CCleaner scan your system and calculate how much space it can free up.
- Once the scan is complete, click Clean and Fix to remove the temporary files.
We have found that this cleanup can free up anywhere from a few megabytes to several gigabytes, depending on how long it has been since the last cleanup. The files that are deleted include browser caches, Windows temporary files, thumbnails, files in the recycle bin, and other items that do not affect system performance.
The Browser section is great, especially if you have several on your computer
An important tip: close all browsers before running the cleanup, as CCleaner will automatically close any open browsers to clean their cache properly. Additionally, there is a section for the Browser that helps you clean temporary files from each browser. You also have a Windows registry optimizer, although if you do not know what you are deleting, it is best to leave it alone.
How to check if your PC's startup has improved
The best way to measure this is to time it manually. You should do this from the moment you press the power button until the desktop fully loads, and you can start using the computer without any lag or slowdowns. You must time the entire process, including logging in with your password.
Some may advise you to look at the last BIOS time, a metric that appears in Task Manager > Startup Applications. However, startup applications don't affect this metric. Rather, it is a benchmark that measures how long it takes the hardware to start up before Windows begins to load. Spotify and Discord have little to do with this.
Finally, if you do not notice a significant improvement, consider other solutions, such as upgrading to an SSD if you still use a mechanical hard drive, expanding the RAM, or checking for malware.
