If we want our PC to run faster, we don’t necessarily have to replace any of its components, which obviously also helps, but we have to go into Windows to find out what the reason is, a reason that is mainly related to two factors: the garbage accumulated in the Windows registry and the number of applications in the Start menu.
Every time Windows starts the computer, it reads the registry to know what it can and cannot do, so when we want to disable a Windows function that is not available through the menus, the solution is to modify it.
Every time we install an application, it modifies the registry, but not when we uninstall it. Over time, the registry has references to applications that are not available on the system, thus slowing down the time needed to start working.
The solution to this problem is to use an application that cleans the registry by deleting all invalid references so that Windows takes less time to start.
The other reason why a PC slows down is related to the large number of applications that are added, without asking permission, to the Windows startup, prolonging the time needed for the computer to be ready to work.
Get notified when an app is added to Windows Startup
Windows 11 includes a feature that notifies users when an application has sneaked into the system startup. This feature is perfect for knowing at all times which application has sneaked into this section and thus being able to delete it or keep it if we really want it to run when we start the computer.
To activate this Windows 11 feature, we must follow the steps shown below.
- First, we must access the Windows configuration options through the keyboard shortcut Win + i or by clicking on the gear wheel that appears when you click on the Windows Start button.
- Next, click on System. Within this section, since it is a function that notifies us, we must access the Notifications section.
- This section displays all the applications that can send notifications to the system and, by default, are all the ones we have installed unless we have modified any. In this section, we go to the very bottom and activate the Startup application notification switch.
If we want to modify the application’s behavior, we must click on it to access the customization options that allow us to establish the type of alert, priority, where we want it to be displayed, among other options.
Unfortunately, this feature is not available in Windows 10 Settings, so there’s no need to keep looking for it if you’re already doing so.
From now on, when we install an application, if it is automatically included in the Windows startup, we will receive a system notification inviting us to delete it, something we can do by clicking on the notification.
If you’re tired of periodically checking which applications start with Windows, this Windows 11 feature is the one you should use so that the system is in charge of monitoring whether the applications we install want to sneak into the computer’s startup.
