Disable Fast Startup to resolve hybrid shutdown conflicts with user profile loading. 2. Manage startup programs and non-essential third-party services to reduce login bottlenecks. 3. Create a new local user account to test for profile corruption; if login improves, back up data, delete the old profile, and recreate the account. 4. Update or roll back graphics drivers via Device Manager or manufacturer websites to fix GPU-related hangs. 5. Run SFC /scannow and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to repair corrupted system files. 6. For Microsoft account users, switch to a local account temporarily to test for sync delays, then selectively disable sync settings if needed. A registry tweak to set EnablePrefetcher and EnableSuperfetch to 3 may provide minor improvements on some systems. Start with disabling Fast Startup and managing startup apps, as these resolve most cases of slow login in Windows 10.

Slow login or a long "Welcome" screen in Windows 10 can be frustrating, especially when you're in a hurry. The delay usually happens after you enter your password and see the spinning circle for an unusually long time. The good news is that this issue is often fixable with a few targeted troubleshooting steps. Here’s how to speed things up.

1. Disable Fast Startup (Common Fix)

Fast Startup is a Windows feature designed to make booting faster, but it can sometimes cause login delays—especially if you're using a Microsoft account or have certain drivers installed.

How to disable it:

• Press Win X and select Power Options.
• Click Choose what the power buttons do on the left.
• Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
• Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended).
• Click Save changes.

Restart your PC and check if login is faster.

Why this helps: Fast Startup creates a hybrid shutdown state that can conflict with user profile loading, especially on systems with SSDs or certain storage drivers.

2. Check for Startup Programs and Services

Too many apps launching at login can slow down the Welcome screen. Even though they don’t start immediately, Windows waits for the user session to fully initialize before launching them—this can create a bottleneck.

To manage startup apps:

• Press Ctrl Shift Esc to open Task Manager.
• Go to the Startup tab.
• Disable unnecessary programs (e.g., cloud sync tools, updaters, chat apps).

Also check background services:

• Press Win R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
• Go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, then disable non-essential third-party services.
• Alternatively, use services.msc to review services manually.

Tip: Look for services related to printer software, RGB lighting, or hardware utilities that aren’t needed at startup.

3. Fix User Profile Issues

A bloated or corrupted user profile can cause long delays during login. Windows loads your profile during the Welcome screen, so issues here directly impact timing.

Try creating a new local user account:

• Open Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
• Under "Other users," click Add someone else to this PC.
• When prompted, choose I don’t have this person’s sign-in information, then Add a user without a Microsoft account.
• Create a local account with a username like "TestUser".
• Log out and log in with the new account.

If the new account logs in quickly, the problem is likely with your original profile.

Fix the original profile:

• Back up your files.
• Delete the old profile (via System Properties > Advanced > User Profiles).
• Re-add your Microsoft account or recreate the local account.

4. Update or Roll Back Graphics Drivers

Outdated or buggy graphics drivers—especially from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel—can cause the Welcome screen to hang.

Update your driver:

• Press Win X > Device Manager.
• Expand Display adapters, right-click your GPU, and select Update driver.
• Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.

Or, download the latest driver directly from the manufacturer’s website.

If the problem started after a recent update:

• In Device Manager, right-click the GPU and choose Properties.
• Go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver.

5. Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

Corrupted system files can delay the login process.

Run SFC:

• Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
• Type:

  sfc /scannow

• Wait for the scan to complete and fix any issues.

Then run DISM:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Restart after both complete.

6. Check for Roaming Profile or Sync Delays (Microsoft Account Users)

If you're signed in with a Microsoft account, Windows syncs settings across devices. A slow network or sync issue can delay login.

Try switching to a local account temporarily:

• Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info.
• Click Sign in with a local account instead and follow the prompts.

After switching, test login speed. If it improves, the delay was likely due to syncing.

You can switch back later and selectively disable sync:

• Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings > Turn off unnecessary options (like themes, passwords, or app settings).

Bonus: Registry Tweak (Advanced)

If you're comfortable with the registry, you can reduce the Windows shell load delay:

• Press Win R, type regedit, and press Enter.
• Navigate to:
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters
• Find the EnablePrefetcher and EnableSuperfetch values.
• Set both to 3 (if not already).

Note: This tweak is less impactful on SSDs, but some users report improvement.

Basically, the slow "Welcome" screen comes down to profile issues, startup bloat, driver conflicts, or sync delays. Start with disabling Fast Startup and checking startup apps—it solves the problem in most cases. From there, work through profile and driver checks. Not complex, but easy to overlook.

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