Slow startup after AV install?

Hey guys,

Did a fresh install of Windows 7 64bit Home Premium about a week ago, and it's been running great except that every time I try to install Antivirus software, my boot time increases dramatically and occasionally Windows will stall at the Welcome screen, after password input, with just the loading circle spinning in an endless loop until hard reset. When Windows does load, it takes ages for my icons & gadgets to pop up. With no AV installed, my boot time is awesomely fast, and nary a crash at the Welcome screen.

First noticed this after installing free AV software that comes with a Time Warner subscription (CA Antivirus). Uninstalled CA and bought a fresh copy of Norton 360 and I'm still seeing the same sluggish boot times. Once I get into Windows, all is well. Windows Defender is turned off, however Windows Firewall is still on and seems to be working in tandem with Norton's firewall.

Any advice on the issue would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.

cluberti said:

Have you tried Microsoft Security Essentials instead?

I have not. What I'm looking for is someone who might know what's causing the slowdown, and a way to fix the issue so that I can continue to use Norton.

Firstly: Norton is probably the biggest resource hog when it comes to AV programs. If you're aiming for a free AV I'd suggest Avast, it is snappy fast and in my opinion just as good as a paid subscription. If you insist on paying for AV I would go with McAfee, had good luck with them when I used to pay for AV.
Secondly: Having two firewalls running, is an issue, not to say that is what is causing your slow boot ups, because that is more than likely the result of the AV just being installed. But having two firewalls running at the same time will give you nothing but problems and makes troubleshooting connectivity for programs a bit of a pain.

Devux said:

Firstly: Norton is probably the biggest resource hog when it comes to AV programs. If you're aiming for a free AV I'd suggest Avast, it is snappy fast and in my opinion just as good as a paid subscription. If you insist on paying for AV I would go with McAfee, had good luck with them when I used to pay for AV.
Secondly: Having two firewalls running, is an issue, not to say that is what is causing your slow boot ups, because that is more than likely the result of the AV just being installed. But having two firewalls running at the same time will give you nothing but problems and makes troubleshooting connectivity for programs a bit of a pain.

Thank you, I'm aware that Norton is a resource hog, but my system is more than capable of handling it smoothly, especially 1 week after a clean install of Windows. The fact that CA caused the same issue, and that with only 1 fire-wall active, indicates that Norton is not inherently at fault. There is obviously some conflict, however, and I'm sure someone has some insight as to what it might be.

Check the setting of norton. Some are hidden (not hidden, but what they mean is illusive).

Is you hard drive very busy at boot?

Norton is probably doing a scan at startup. You can change that.

I run norton 360 for a few years now & I am happy with it. 360's firewall, disables / replaces the windows firewall. You are not running two firewalls.

Don't let 360 "tune up" your pc.. Disable that.

Jacee said:

Make sure Windows firewall is disabled in services. Also check to see if Norton is set to check for updates at startup.

Thank you, this seems to have helped. Windows firewall was still running along with Norton's (at least it said it was), so I disabled it. Then I found that sneaky "boot time protection" setting in Norton and cranked that down, and now my boot-up is closer to reasonable.

Thanks all.