Programmes running slow at Start up on Windows 7

[alowther]

Since I received a Windows update in April / May my Programmes have been running slow at start up on Windows 7. The desktop loads fine, but when I try and run an application it takes around 5 minutes for it to actually work, once, it starts everything them runs OK. I have a Sony Vaio VPCEC3SOE 64bit Windows 7 machine, and am running AVG Anti virus software, I've checked to see if there are any programmes which shouldn't be running at the start up and they all look fine. Can someone tell me if it's a windows problem i.e. their latest update or a Sony Vaio problem, your thoughts please.

[Blencogo]

It's difficult to pinpoint the cause.

This sort of delay is usually associated with the system trying to find a file or folder that has been moved or deleted.

As a first step, I would run a Registry Cleaner which will clear all broken links to non-existent targets and see if that fixes your problem.  After that you can look for more complicated possible causes.

I would download the free trial version of System Mechanic   Click on 'Download Free Trial' here: -

http://www.iolo.com/system-mechanic/standard/download.aspx

Don't bother to enter any contact information.  Then run the analysis of your system and you will be surprised how much debris has piled up.

This is one of the Registry cleaning programs that I have never had any problems with.

The other possibility is your Firewall/AV Program (AVG).  Sometimes these programs can seriously delay program opening if "Active Program Scanning Mode" is enabled.  It may be worth disabling this function and seeing if that makes any difference.

[aslowth27]

Done the above and it still hasn't made any difference, I've even uninstalled the anti virus software to see if that made any difference which it didn't. As for the system mechanic that found errors but fixed them, and now is reporting system status is good.