Computer takes 6 to 7 minutes to turn and the same to switch off

[Nalag1]

Hello,

My computer takes over 6 minutes to turn on, and the same time to completely switch off. Any advise would be most appreciated.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Nalag1,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're stoked to have you on board! 

To help us get started on resolving your issue, could you please share the model name of your device?

We're looking forward to helping you get back up and running! 

Best regards,

[nalag]

Hi, thank you for getting back to me.

My computer Desktop name is 22-2031 na, and it's out of warranty.

I have cleaned the C:/ disk and I have deleted all unwanted programs, apps, etc., but there is no change.

My C:/ disk is running at barely 20% of its full 832GB capacity, but I don't seem to be able to improve the start-up and shutdown.

Any advice would be most welcome.

Besr regards,

Jose

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Nalag1,

Thank you for the response.

I understand your HP 22-2031 desktop is taking an unusually long time to start up and shut down. Let’s go through a few steps to help identify and improve the performance.

    a. Check Startup Programs
        • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc → Task Manager → Startup tab.
        • Disable programs you don’t need at startup.
        • Restart the computer and check if boot time improves.

    b. Update Windows and Drivers
        • Go to Settings → Windows Update and install any pending updates.
        • Use HP Support Assistant to update system drivers, especially chipset, storage, and graphics drivers.

    c. Check for Disk Health Issues
        • Press Win + X → Windows Terminal (Admin) → type:
            chkdsk C: /f /r
        • This will check for bad sectors or file system errors. You may need to restart your PC to let it run.

    d. Check Power Settings
        • Go to Control Panel → Power Options → Choose what the power buttons do → Change settings that are currently unavailable.
        • Make sure Fast Startup is enabled (or toggle it off and test if boot time improves).

    e. Scan for Malware or Background Tasks
        • Run a full system scan with Windows Defender or your antivirus.
        • Sometimes malware or background processes can cause extreme boot/shutdown delays.

    f. Check Event Viewer
        • Press Win + X → Event Viewer → Windows Logs → System.
        • Look for repeated Error or Warning messages during startup or shutdown. These logs often point to drivers or services causing delays.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi,

We did not hear from you after I replied to your post that you had created on the HP Support Community.

This is a follow-up to know if the issue that you were facing with your HP product has been resolved.

If you encounter any more hiccups or have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help and support you every step of the way! 

We'll be archiving this case, but feel free to respond to this thread anytime to continue the conversation. 

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Take care, and have an incredible day ahead! 

Best regards,

Kuroi_Kenshi

I am an HP Employee

[Nalag1]

Hi, Thank you for keeping in touch. I am still checking the different procedures recommended, and I will get back to you shortly, although so far, nothing seems to make much difference to this computer's behaviour.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Nalag1,

Thank you for keeping me updated! I completely understand, it can be frustrating when a computer continues to take a long time to start up or shut down despite trying various steps.

Take your time to go through the recommended procedures, and feel free to update me whenever you’re ready. We’ll continue working together to get this sorted.

Take care and stay safe!

Best regards,

[Nalag1]

Hi again, I have just finished all of the tests recommended in your email, with the last extensive chkdsk clearing a total of over 1 MB of junk files, but not making any real difference. However, on the Event Viewer Logs System, the are errors as follows: SERVICE CONTROL - Warning- DISTRIBUTEDCOM-Errors and Warning-BITS CLIENTS-Errors. These three are showing the results every single day going back at least a month, but I do not know what they mean and what needs to be done about it, and I would appreciate your comments.

Overall, there is a slight improvement of about 1 minute less on the start-up and shut down, so hardly any difference.

Best regards,

Tony

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Nalag1,

Thank you for taking the time to go through all the steps and for sharing the detailed update — I really appreciate your patience and effort.

Based on what you’ve found in the Event Viewer, the following errors could be contributing to the slow startup and shutdown:

🔹 1. SERVICE CONTROL Manager Warnings

These usually indicate that certain services are taking too long to start or stop. Some services may be failing or timing out during boot/shutdown, which can cause delays.

🔹 2. DISTRIBUTEDCOM (DCOM) Errors

These errors happen when a program or service doesn't have the required permissions to communicate properly. While common and often harmless, repeated DCOM errors can slow the system during startup.

🔹 3. BITS CLIENT Errors (Background Intelligent Transfer Service)

BITS is used by Windows Update and other applications to download data in the background. Errors here may indicate corruption or issues with pending updates/services, which can delay both startup and shutdown.

Let's try the following to address these log issues:

a. Reset DCOM Permissions

Press Win + R, type: dcomcnfg → Enter.

Go to Component Services > Computers > My Computer.

Right-click My Computer → Properties → Default Properties tab

Ensure "Enable Distributed COM on this computer" is checked.

Go to the COM Security tab → Edit Default Launch & Activation Permissions → Ensure SYSTEM and Administrator have Local Activation rights.

b. Disable Unnecessary Services

Some services may be delaying shutdown:

Press Win + R → msconfig → Services tab

Check "Hide all Microsoft services"

Disable unwanted third-party services (e.g., updaters, toolbars, trial software)

Restart system and test.

c. Optional – Upgrade to SSD (Highly Effective)

Your PC is currently using a traditional hard drive. Replacing it with an SSD can reduce startup/shutdown time from 6 minutes to around 20–30 seconds. This is the most effective long-term fix.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[nalag]

Hi again.

Thank you so much for your invaluable effort in trying to sort out my computer's problem. I do not wish to take any more of your time, but before I close this case, may I please ask you two last questions? On 

Go to the COM Security tab → Edit Default Launch & Activation Permissions → Ensure SYSTEM and Administrator have Local Activation rights. b. Disable Unnecessary Services: ~They both have these rights ticked, but there are four tabs: Local Launch, Remote Launch, Local Activity and Remote Activity. You say to Disable Unnecessary Services, so when I tried that, there was a warning message that doing so may affect all the applications, and some may not work correctly, so I left it as it is, as I did not want to risk it. What do you think?

And finally, I believe now that this computer is not likely to get back to its original boot-up time, so I read a message on the Microsoft Support site from someone with a similar problem, and he was recommended that on the msconfig Services tab, to hide all of the Microsoft services and delete them all, which it will bring on a "Clean Boot" of the system. Do you agree with that? And if I did carry that out, what data, settings, etc, am I likely to end up losing? Again, thank you so much for all you have done for me. I am extremely grateful and have acquired a great deal of knowledge I did not have before. I will be keeping all the information supplied. Very best regards and wishes.

Tony.