The laptop takes a long time to load: what to do if loading takes 5-10 minutes?

Have you pressed the power button, but instead of the usual desktop you see a spinning cursor or a black screen with the manufacturer’s logo? Laptop boots 5, 10 or even 20 minutes — did you manage to do it in 30 seconds before? This problem is familiar to millions of users, and its causes lie in both software and hardware failures. In 80% of cases, slow loading can be fixed on your own without contacting a service center.

In this article we will look at all possible reasons - from overloaded autorun to drive wear, and we’ll also give step by step instructions for Windows 10/11 And macOS. You'll learn how to diagnose the problem, what settings to optimize, and when it's time to consider replacing components. Let's start with the simplest thing - checking startup.

1. Checking startup: why the laptop “chokes” at startup

The most common reason for slow loading is dozens of programs, which automatically start along with the system. Antiviruses, instant messengers, cloud storage and even games (via Steam or Epic Games) can be added to startup without your knowledge. As a result, the processor and RAM become clogged even at the startup stage.

How to check startup in Windows:

• 🔹 Click Ctrl + Shift + Escto open Task Manager.
• 🔹 Go to the tab Autoload.
• 🔹 Sort programs by column Impact on loading (from "High" to "Low").
• 🔹 Disable unnecessary applications with right click → Disable.

On macOS another way:

1. Open System Settings → Users and Groups.
2. Select your account and tab Login objects.
3. Remove unnecessary programs with the button –.

Leave only antivirus and critical utilities

Disable instant messengers (they will launch the first time you open them)

Remove games and heavy editors (Photoshop, AutoCAD)

Check browser extensions (they can also slow down the start)

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Attention! Do not disable system processes with names svchost.exe, explorer.exe or mds_stores (on Mac) - this may cause the OS to become unstable. If in doubt, Google the name of the process before disabling.

2. Disk drive: HDD vs SSD and how to check its health

90% of laptops older than 5 years slow down due to a worn-out hard drive (HDD). Over time, mechanical drives become clogged with bad sectors, and their read speed drops by 10-20 times compared to new ones SSD. If your laptop is equipped with an HDD, replacing it with an SSD will speed up booting from 5-10 minutes to 15-30 seconds.

How to check disk status:

• 🔹B Windows: open Command line as administrator and enter:

  wmic diskdrive get status

  If the status OK — the disk is physically intact. For in-depth diagnostics, use CrystalDiskInfo.

• 🔹 On Mac: run Disk Utility (Programs → Utilities) and check S.M.A.R.T. status.

Parameter	HDD (norm)	SSD (norm)	Critical value
Reallocated Sectors	0–10	0	>50
Pending Sectors	0	0	>1
Power-On Hours	<50 000	<30 000	>60 000
Temperature	25–45°C	20–50°C	>60°C

If the disk shows errors, backup your data immediately. An HDD with bad sectors can fail at any time. For SSD, the critical parameter is Total Host Writes (cell wear). If it exceeds 70% of the disk resource (indicated in the model specifications), it’s time to think about replacement.

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3. Viruses and malware: hidden “brakes”

It is unlikely that a virus will cause exceptionally slow loading, but some types of malware (for example, miners or rootkits) can replace system files and are initialized at the OS startup stage. This results in freezes on the Windows logo or the Mac apple.

How to check the system:

• 🔹B Windows:
  1. Open Windows Defender (Start → Settings → Update and Security).
  2. Run Full check (may take 1-2 hours).
  3. Use Malwarebytes or Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool for deep scanning.
• 🔹 On Mac:
  1. Install Avast Security or Bitdefender Virus Scanner.
  2. Check the folder /Library/LaunchDaemons/ for suspicious files (for example, with random letters in the name).

Attention! ⚠️ Some "optimizers" (for example, CCleaner or Advanced SystemCare) themselves can slow down the system by adding them to startup. After using them, check their performance via Task Manager.

4. System updates: why they slow down loading

Uninstalled Windows or macOS updates may conflict with drivers and services, causing freezes during Preparing Windows or Configuring updates. Especially relevant for Windows 10/11, where updates are installed in the background and sometimes break the bootloader.

How to fix:

• 🔹B Windows:
  1. Click Win + R, enter msconfig and go to the tab Loading.
  2. Uncheck Safe Mode (if it's worth it).
  3. B Settings → Update and security click Suspend for 7 days, if the update is in the "Loading" status.
• 🔹 On Mac:
  1. Open Terminal and enter:

     sudo softwareupdate --list

  2. If there are pending updates, run:

     sudo softwareupdate --install --all

What to do if the update is stuck at 100%?

If Windows hangs on the "Configure updates" screen for more than an hour:

1. Forcefully turn off the laptop (press and hold the power button for 10 seconds).

2. Turn it on and wait for diagnostics (may take 10-15 minutes).

3. If the system does not boot, use Safe Mode (press F8 at startup) and roll back the update via Control Panel → Programs → View installed updates.

If the problem persists after every update, try disable update service (temporarily):

1. Click Win + R, enter services.msc.
2. Find Windows Update.
3. Right click → Properties → Startup type: Disabled.

5. RAM: lack of RAM as a cause of slowdowns

If you have less than 8 GB RAM, modern OS (especially Windows 11) can "choke" when loading, actively using the swap file on the disk. This leads to lags and a long time for the desktop to appear. Checking memory usage is simple:

• 🔹B Windows: open Task Manager → Memory. If Used >80% with a simple start - there is not enough memory.
• 🔹 On Mac: run System monitoring (Programs → Utilities) and check the tab Memory.

Solutions:

• 🔹 Add RAM. 8 GB is enough for office work, 16 GB is enough for games and video editing.
• 🔹 Disable unnecessary services:
  1. Click Win + R, enter msconfig → Services.
  2. Check the box Don't show Microsoft services.
  3. Disable unnecessary ones (for example, NVIDIA Telemetry, Adobe Update Service).
• 🔹 Increase the swap file:
  1. Go to Control Panel → System → Advanced system settings → Performance → Settings → Advanced → Virtual memory.
  2. Select disk, specify Special size: 1.5 × RAM (for example, for 8 GB of RAM - 12,288 MB).

6. BIOS/UEFI and hardware settings: hidden options

Incorrect settings BIOS/UEFI can cause the laptop to spend extra seconds (or even minutes) checking the hardware. For example, included Secure Boot when paired with outdated firmware, it sometimes conflicts with the Windows bootloader.

How to optimize BIOS:

• 🔹 Disable unnecessary devices:
  1. When loading, click F2, Del or Esc (depending on the model) to enter the BIOS.
  2. Find a section Boot or Advanced.
  3. Disable USB Legacy Support, Network Boot, Floppy Drive (if any).
• 🔹 Enable fast boot:
  1. Find the option Fast Boot (or Quick Boot) and install Enabled.
  2. For Windows 8/10/11 also include Ultra Fast Boot (if available).
• 🔹 Update BIOS:
  1. Download the latest version from the manufacturer's website (Lenovo, HP, Dell etc.).
  2. Follow the instructions - usually the update occurs via a USB drive.

Attention! ⚠️ Incorrect BIOS update may disable laptop. Do not interrupt the process or turn off the power. If you are not sure, contact the service.

For Mac hardware settings change via PRAM/NVRAM:

1. Turn off your laptop.
2. Press the power button and immediately hold down Command + Option + P + R.
3. Hold for 20 seconds, then release.

7. System reinstallation: last chance

If none of the methods help, but the laptop still boots longer than 5 minutes, a radical solution remains - clean OS installation. This will remove all programs, viruses and system junk, restoring factory performance.

How to reinstall Windows:

• 🔹 Create a bootable USB flash drive:
  1. Download Media Creation Tool from the Microsoft website.
  2. Connect a USB storage device with a capacity of ≥8 GB.
  3. Follow the wizard's instructions.
• 🔹 Boot from a flash drive:
  1. When turned on, press F12, Esc or F9 (depending on model) to select the boot device.
  2. Select your flash drive.
• 🔹 Install Windows:
  1. At the disk selection stage, delete all partitions and format the disk (option Format).
  2. Select unallocated space and click Next.

For macOS:

1. Turn off your laptop.
2. Press and hold the power button Command + Runtil the Apple logo appears.
3. From the utilities menu, select Reinstall macOS.

Important! Before reinstallation be sure to save your data to an external drive or to the cloud. Use Google Drive, OneDrive or physical storage.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about laptop loading slowly

❓ The laptop hangs on the manufacturer’s logo (HP, Lenovo, ASUS, etc.). What to do?

It could be:

• 🔹 BIOS failure — try resetting the settings (remove the battery for 10 minutes or use a jumper CLR_CMOS on the motherboard).
• 🔹 Drive problem — check if the disk is detected in the BIOS.
• 🔹 Equipment conflict - Disconnect all USB devices and memory cards.

If all else fails, the bootloader may be damaged. For Windows use Boot Repair from a bootable flash drive.

❓ After updating Windows, the laptop took longer to load. How to roll back?

Login and:

1. Open Settings → Update & Security → Recovery.
2. Click Go back to the previous version of Windows 10 (available for 10 days after update).

If the system does not boot:

1. Boot from the installation flash drive.
2. On the installation screen, select System Restore → Troubleshooting → Revert to Previous Build.

❓ MacBook asks for a password after rebooting, although there was none. What to do?

It could be:

• 🔹 FileVault — enter the password for your Apple account.
• 🔹 NVRAM failure - reset it (Command + Option + P + R when loading).
• 🔹 Touch ID problem — try entering the password manually.

If you don't remember your password, use Apple recovery service.

❓ The laptop boots quickly, but then slows down. What's the matter?

There may be other reasons:

• 🔹 Overheating - check the temperature in HWMonitor (Windows) or iStat Menus (Mac).
• 🔹 Background processes - open Task Manager and sort by CPU load.
• 🔹 Low disk space — free up ≥10 GB on the system partition.

❓ Is it possible to speed up booting a laptop with an HDD without replacing it with an SSD?

Yes, but the effect will be limited:

• 🔹 Defragmentation - run Disk optimization (on Windows).
• 🔹 Disabling indexing - in the disk properties, uncheck the box Allow content to be indexed.
• 🔹 Reducing the paging file - If you have ≥8 GB of RAM, set the size to a fixed size (e.g. 2 GB).

However, even after optimization, the HDD will lose to the SSD in 5–10 times by reading speed.