Computer startup not as fast as before

I just checked msconfig that all my startup programs are on my SSD. However, I can clearly hear that when windows is starting up, it spent quite some seconds reading my mechanical hard drives.

However I cannot find any startup programs that are located on my mechanical hard drives. I have also checked some of the registration entries with no luck.

Any suggestions? I am suspecting that some startup program resides in my SSD but has to load something from the mechanical hard disks. I just need to know how to find such programs

Welcome to Win7forum.

Do check on the desktop icons which have shortcut from other HDD.

Upon booting, system will check and verify to ensure the icon on desktop is valid.
If not, it may take some time to check until it give up, as invalid with the icon may changed.

As for others, someone would assist you.

Eric3742 said:

Welcome to Win7forum.

Do check on the desktop icons which have shortcut from other HDD.

Upon booting, system will check and verify to ensure the icon on desktop is valid.
If not, it may take some time to check until it give up, as invalid with the icon may changed.

As for others, someone would assist you.

What about the shortcuts in a folder on my desktop? Will they also be scanned?

RolandJS said:

How many platter-driven hard-drives do you have? Concerning msconfig and services -- be careful about you disable or uninstall, especially items that are part and parcel of Windows Prime. If you disable or uninstall the wrong one[s], the wait time could stretch to minutes, not just mere seconds.

2 mechanical and 1 solid state. I have checked msconfig startup options. I have made sure all of the startups are on my SSD. However, the other services, I have not looked at them yet. I do have some sound device drivers but they should all be in C partition. I will have a closer look though.

CenturionWalrus said:

I just checked msconfig that all my startup programs are on my SSD. However, I can clearly hear that when windows is starting up, it spent quite some seconds reading my mechanical hard drives.

However I cannot find any startup programs that are located on my mechanical hard drives. I have also checked some of the registration entries with no luck.

Any suggestions? I am suspecting that some startup program resides in my SSD but has to load something from the mechanical hard disks. I just need to know how to find such programs

I mean, before that the start up Windows logo barely completed spining half way and I am in the Entering Password screen but now I have to wait till the logo finishes spinning, and some more seconds to go. I just want the speed back. Maybe I should reinstall it, as this one has been on since 2 years ago. However, I dread installing updates and patches as I have not been able to successfully run windows update for months.

RolandJS said:

Have you re-seated all things inside and outside of this desktop? Cleaned the dust out? I have to do that once yearly for my desktop.

I doubt that would help with startup speed but I have just done it that a week ago. I guess I will either have to stick with it or reinstall for the sake of start up speed.

Before doing reinstall, suggest you to try this method first.

Remove all HDD(s) connections to the system.

This is to ensure that it is not HDD(s) delaying the booting process.

If after removing the HDD(s) and the booting process is much better.

Then the HDD(s) are about to fail, sooner or later.

Do give a try, and not after reinstall, and there is no change in booting process timing.