Are you experiencing performance issues with your Windows 10/11 operating system?
While some people suggest switching to Linux, I’m here to tell you that you can optimize and fix Windows performance problems.
I’ll address common complaints about Windows performance in this blog post by handling a real-life case study.
I will show you how to use Windows Performance Toolkit to identify almost any Windows Performance issue.
The Case: Resolving Windows 10 Slow Boot Issue
Recently, a user reported a frustrating problem with their MSI gamer PC. Despite its impressive specs, including 4 SSD disks, 32 GB RAM, and a 3.5 GHz CPU, the computer took over 2 minutes to boot.
To investigate and resolve this issue, I turned to my go-to tool for troubleshooting Windows slow boot problems—the “Windows Performance Toolkit,” available for free from the Microsoft website.
Identifying the Root Cause
Using the Windows Performance Analyzer, I discovered that the delay occurred during the “pre-session init” phase. The CPU graph revealed that the “system” process called functions from the “volsnap.sys” driver, which dealt with volume snapshots during the 2-minute interval.
Understanding Volume Snapshots
Volume snapshots, also known as shadow copies, are point-in-time copies of the volume that allow you to restore your system to a previous state.
Windows automatically takes volume snapshots when installing new programs or updates. While this feature is enabled by default in Windows for the C: drive, it can cause issues if not correctly configured.
The Nightmare of Misconfigured Snapshots
In this case, the user had reserved 30% of its 2 TB disk for snapshots. With over 550 GB of volume snapshots to check during boot, Windows took longer than usual to perform this task.
It was clear that misconfiguration was the culprit behind the slow boot.
The Solution
To resolve the issue, I advised the user to reduce the maximum allowed disk space reserved for snapshots to a more reasonable amount and delete previous snapshots.
The results were astonishing—his computer now booted in just 5 seconds! 😊
In Conclusion
It’s important to remember that Windows isn’t always at fault for performance issues. The programs we use, the drivers we install, and the system configurations can significantly impact overall performance.
By understanding these factors and actively troubleshooting, we can optimize Windows and enjoy a smoother computing experience.
