How to Speed Up Google Chrome Startup on Windows

What Causes This?

Chrome usually opens slowly on Windows when its profile has too many extensions, damaged session data, or a corrupted settings file. Heavy disk or CPU activity right after sign-in can also delay launch, especially if several apps start with Windows. In some cases, Chrome is slowed by security software scanning, a damaged user profile, or a storage drive that is busy or unhealthy.

Common Symptoms

• Chrome takes several seconds or longer to appear after you click it
• The browser opens to a blank or white window before loading
• Chrome starts faster in Guest mode or with extensions disabled
• Opening Chrome causes high CPU, memory, or disk usage
• Chrome feels slow only on one Windows user account

How to Fix It Manually

1. Check whether Chrome extensions are slowing startup

   1. Open Chrome.
   2. In the address bar, go to chrome://extensions/.
   3. Turn off all extensions.
   4. Close every Chrome window, then open Chrome again.
   5. If startup improves, turn extensions back on one by one until the delay returns.
   6. Remove any extension you do not need.

2. Disable Chrome background running

   1. In Chrome, click the three-dot menu > Settings.
   2. Open System.
   3. Turn off Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed.
   4. Restart Chrome and test again.

3. Clear cached data first

   1. In Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete.
   2. Set Time range to All time.
   3. Check Cached images and files.
   4. Click Clear data.
   5. Close and reopen Chrome.

   If you also clear cookies and site data, websites will sign you out. That can help in some cases, but it is more disruptive, so test cached files first.

4. Create a new Chrome profile to test for profile corruption

   1. In Chrome, click your profile icon in the top-right corner.
   2. Choose Add and create a new profile.
   3. Open a window with the new profile, then close Chrome.
   4. Launch Chrome again with that new profile.
   5. If the new profile starts much faster, your main profile is likely damaged or overloaded.

5. Check Windows startup load

   1. Open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
   2. Select Startup apps.
   3. Disable non-essential items with a High impact rating or anything you do not need at sign-in.
   4. Restart the PC and test Chrome again.

   Too many startup apps can make Chrome look slow even when the browser itself is fine.

6. Reset Chrome settings

   1. In Chrome, open Settings.
   2. Click Reset settings.
   3. Select Restore settings to their original defaults.
   4. Click Reset settings.

   This resets startup behavior, search engine, pinned tabs, and disables extensions, but it does not delete bookmarks or saved passwords.

7. Update Chrome and Windows

   1. In Chrome, open Settings > About Chrome and let it install any available update.
   2. In Windows, open Settings > Windows Update and check for updates.
   3. Restart the PC after updates finish.

8. Test whether another app is holding Chrome up

   1. Restart Windows.
   2. Before opening other apps, launch Chrome first.
   3. If Chrome opens normally, the delay is likely caused by startup load or another background process.
   4. Use Task Manager to check for unusually high CPU or disk usage while Chrome is trying to open.

Fix It Automatically with Kudu

Kudu can help with the Windows-side causes of slow Chrome startup. Use Startup Manager to disable non-essential startup items, and Performance Monitor to see which processes are using the most CPU, memory, or disk when Chrome is slow to open. Kudu can also use System Cleaner to remove supported browser cache files and other temporary data for review before deletion.

Download Kudu Free →