Dell computer startup slow "the application is not responding..."


  1. disman00911
    Posts : 10
    Windows 10
       New #1

    Dell computer startup slow "the application is not responding..."


    Hello. I've had a Dell desktop running Windows 10 for about 2-3 years. It has been running fine but for the last week or so, the startup boot speed has been a bit slow. Occasionally, I would get a message on the bottom left corner "the application is not responding. the program may respond again..." I can still move the cursor but it is a blue spinning circle and the rest of the scene is non-responsive (sometimes with a black screen). After 5-10 minutes, nothing changes and I'm forced to restart the computer. Afterwards, the computer would act as normal, although it is a bit slow.

    I have the following startup items enabled during startup boots:
    Media Check Tool (Sony corporation)
    Catalyst Control Center
    LauncherChormium (chrome.exe)
    Waves MaxxAudio Service Application
    Dell OSD Application
    HD Audio Background Process (realtek)
    Realek HD Audio Manager
    Windows Defender Notification Icon

    Which of these is safe to disable and which ones should I leave alone?

    I have these startup items disabled on startup boots:
    Corel Photo Downloader
    Corel File Shell Monitor
    Dropbox
    iCloud Services
    CCleanerMicrosoft
    OneDrive
    iTunesHelper
    AvLaunch componet (AVAST Software)
    McAffe Security Scanner Schedule

    I have Avast anti-virus software installed. I did a "Smart Scan" and concluded that my PC had performance issues, For example, I have 26 "programs slowing down my PC and I need to safely put their background and startup services to sleep to boost speed". How do I put these apps to sleep since not all of these programs show up under the "Startup" tab?

    Here are the listed programs from high risk to low risk:
    Microsoft OneDrive
    Microsoft Office 365
    Realtek High Definition Audio Driver
    Corel Paint Shop Pro
    Dropbox
    AMD Catalyst Install Manager
    PlayMemories Home
    iTunes
    Dell Foundation Services
    Dell Customer Connect
    CyberLink Media Suite Essentials
    Dell Product Registration
    Bonjour
    Qualcomm Atheros Bluetooth Suite (64)
    Apple Mobile Device Support
    Dell Digital Delivery
    System Mechanic
    Chormium
    iCloudPluto TV
    Mozilla Maintenance Service
    Apple Software update
    Ashampoo WinOptimizer free
    McAfee Consumer Software Installation System
    McAfee UI Container
    UpdateLibary

    I tried registry cleaning with CCleaner and have used other optimizing programs such as Ashampoo WinOptimizer, Malwarebytes, Adcleaner to clean up my computer. I also downloaded iolo System Mechanic freeware to determine my computer's status and it said it was good (green). There were no malware/viruses/junk files found, but my computer boot speed is still slower than it should be.

    I also started to clean up some of my disk space (I currently have 289 GB free space and have 918 GB disk space total) I also defragmented my disk drive in hopes to speed up my computer. I did a quick analysis using the default disk defrag utility and it concluded that my disk drive is only 3% Defrag.

    I also tried a system restore but it failed because I had a anti-virus program running. I've seen various topics about this issue on various sites/forums (including this one) but they haven't solved my problem. I can't figure out what is causing my computer to occasionally slow down.

    Any ideals what could be wrong? Thanks.
      My Computer
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  3. spunk
    Posts : 4,792
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       New #2

    What Anti-Virus program do you have installed? You do not need any 3rd party AV products. Windows Defender comes with Windows 10 and does a better job then most AV products out there. Of course you still need 3rd party Anti-Malware products like Malwarebytes and ADWCleaner. You should uninstall any AV products other then Windows Defender and the fore mentioned Malware programs.
    You should not use any Registry Cleaners/Optimizers like IOBit, WinOPtimizer, AShampoo etc and the Registry Cleaner for CCleaner. These programs cause more problems then they solve. Removing Temp files with CCleaner is still fine, do not use the Registry Cleaner part though.
    Your HDD may be getting some bad sectors due to aging. Restart the computer and press F12 at bootup and do the Diagnostics. If the HDD tests fine, then in Windows, press the Win key+X and choose Powershell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin) here type chkdsk /R and press enter. now type a Y for Yes and reboot the computer. Check Disk will run at next bootup and take a long time. The longer it takes, the more bad sectors you have. If it takes overnight, the drive needs to be replaced.
    If the Drive tests fine then try a Clean Boot. If this works, then add one Startup item or Service and reboot each time until the computer becomes slow, then you will know the problematic program.
      My Computer
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  4. disman00911
    Posts : 10
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    I have Avast Anti-Virus and McAfee, although I haven't used McAfee since my trial had expired. That's why I had installed Avast. I should uninstall McAfee. Which programs are recommended to keep my PC running as smooth as possible?

    I have Windows Defender Security Center and it states that my "device is being protected."
    Last edited by disman00911; 23 Mar 2018 at 15:17.
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  6. spunk
    Posts : 4,792
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       New #4

    You shouldn't have more then one AV product installed on your computer, they conflict and slow your computer down. If you have a 3rd party AV app installed, it will Disable Windows Defender so it won't conflict.
    If removing McAfee be sure to use the McAfee Removal Tool, to insure it is completely removed.
    If Removing Avast, be sure to use the Avast Clear Tool. This should re-enable Windows Defender.
    All you really need is Windows Defender AV and Malwarebytes free version and ADWCleaner malware removal
    There are tools in Windows that are included and free that do all the other things that those 3rd party apps do like Defrag/Optimize, Disk Cleanup etc
      My Computer
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  7. disman00911
    Posts : 10
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    I've installed the McAfee Removal Tool, however I'm stuck on the "Removing Product VS" with most the bar filled up with green. It says it should take a few minutes, but it's been about an hour.
      My Computer
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  8. disman00911
    Posts : 10
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    Update: After about 2 hours I gave up on the McAfee Removal Tool because it keep hanging. Prior to that, I had uninstalled Avast AV and Ashampoo WinOptimizer from my computer. Just recently, I had shut down my computer and restarted it and I soon realized that the startup boot speed was much faster than it was when I turned on my computer earlier in the day. I'm not sure if I've fully solved my problem, but my computer suddenly loads faster, which is a good thing.:)
    Last edited by disman00911; 23 Mar 2018 at 18:46.
      My Computer
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  9. spunk
    Posts : 4,792
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       New #7

    Try the McAfee removal tool one more time. It may be caught up in some of your other previous programs that are no longer on the computer. If that doesn't work, then try uninstalling it with Revo Uninstaller.
    Once you have removed all of these unnecessary programs, the computer should be a lot faster.
      My Computer
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  10. disman00911
    Posts : 10
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #8

    Good news. My computer's startup speed is where it should be: fast and efficient. Meanwhile, I tried McAfee Removal Tool once more and it did the same thing and I gave up on it. I installed Revo Uninstaller and was able to remove the McAfee software from my computer.

    I didn't know that so many anti-virus software installed in my computer was the reason why it was running slower than usual. When I first got the computer, it had McAfee pre-installed. I didn't even know Windows Defender was in my computer and I had assumed that I needed to install another anti-virus program after the McAfee trial had expired.
      My Computer
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  12. spunk
    Posts : 4,792
    Windows 11 Pro 64 Bit 22H2
       New #9

    Name brand computers bundle trial versions of software we call Bloatware, which when they expire you have to purchase. I usually uninstall all Bloatware when I setup a new computer. Since you don't need most of those programs and they just slow you down and take up space. Glad you got it going
      My Computer
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