Windows 7: Slower Boot After Reformat (from 7 Home Premium to 7 Ultimate

So my desktop computer had a nasty virus or something on it, and it was originally a 32-bit Windows 7 Home Premium (as it came with the computer).



To get rid of it, I decided to wipe the whole HDD and install a clean Windows 7 Ultimate. But I noticed that the boot time for computer now is MUCH slower now.

Before on the Home Premium it would only hang at the "Welcome" screen for only about 5 seconds, then go straight to the desktop and I would be able to use it within minutes. Total boot time: probably under a minute.

Now on Ultimate, it hangs on the "Welcome" screen for about 30 seconds, then takes another 10 seconds before I can do anything. Total boot time: 1.5 or 2 minutes.

I've tried disabling some of the startup programs and ran a clean boot, but nothign would help bring the boot time as fast as it was before. I know that Ultimate has a lot more features, does that explain the extra boot time?

Would reverting back to Home Premium be worth it (I don't see myself using a whole lot of the extra features Ultimate has anyways). Also are there any tweaks that could help cut this boot time in half?

Hello abc617, welcome to Seven Forums!


You use the term "wipe" did you actually do a real wipe secure erase or just format the Hard Disk Drive, if it's the latter you didn't really do anything; perhaps a secure erase and another fresh clean install would help; have a look at the information in these tutorials linked below.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

Additional Secure Erase / Wipe Information

As far as performance goes, have a look at these tutorials for some ideas and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

How to Speed Up the Performance of Windows 7

How to Free Up and Recover Hard Drive Space