We tried this out on a PC we’re currently testing for review, and enabling Fast Startup reduced our boot time from 1 minute to 19 seconds, shaving 41 seconds — two-thirds of the boot time — off. Since changing this setting doesn’t take much time, why not take a moment now to save many in the future? MORE: Our Favorite Tablets for Work and Play Users who encrypt their have drive with software like TrueCrypt may not want to enable the setting, as they will then need to manually dismount encrypted drives prior to shutting down. Fast Startup also may lead to file corruption or other issues for computers that dual-boot between partitions or operating systems, so keep the setting disabled if you manage your computer in that manner. This setting is commonly enabled in PCs sold running Windows 10 and any that were upgraded from Windows 8, but it’s more likely to be disabled on devices that were upgraded from Windows 7. Here are step-by-step instructions for how to turn on Fast Startup mode. 

How to Cut Your Windows 10 PC’s Boot Time by 66 Percent

  1. Click the Start button.
  2. Type “Power Options.”
  3. Select Power Options.
  4. Click “Choose what the power button does.”
  5. Select “Change settings that are currently unavailable” if the Shutdown settings are greyed out.
  6. Check the box next to “Turn on fast startup.” 
  7. Click Save Changes. Now your PC will take advantage of the Fast Startup mode when you boot it up. Want to make Windows 10 run even faster? Here’s how to defragment your hard drive in Windows 10.

Windows 10 Performance and Productivity

Best Windows 10 Keyboard ShortcutsMIrror Your Screen to a TV or MonitorSpeed Windows 10 Boot TimeGet Superfast Mouse, Touchpad SpeedsCalibrate Your MonitorActivate ‘God Mode’Defragment Your Hard DriveMeasure the Time it Takes for Apps to Load at BootUse Maximum CPU PowerEnable Swipe to Delete in EmailCopy and Paste at the Command PromptHow to record your screen in Windows 10Use Offline MapsGet the Full Layout in Windows 10’s Touch KeyboardCreate a .Reg File for Easy Registry HacksRecord PC Gameplay on the Xbox AppPerform a Clean Install of Windows 10Uninstall Windows 10 and Roll Back to 7 or 8Enable the Linux Bash ShellGenerate a Detailed Battery ReportTurn a PC into a Wireless DisplayOpen Folders in the TaskbarOpen Sites in the TaskbarImport Gmail ContactsGet Android NotificationsUse Multiple DesktopsUse Eye ControlUse the Timeline Feature to Resume a TaskSend Web Pages from Phone to PCAll Windows 10 TipsIncrease your Battery Life