When someone mentions Quick Start, they sometimes confuse it with Quick Start, which shares a similar name but does completely different things. Fast Startup is a feature of Windows software that saves your PC’s running state to your storage drive before shutting it down, making startups much faster because the computer does not need to reload each program. It is enabled by default on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Depending on your computer’s behavior, or if you want to be cautious and avoid stability issues, you should disable Fast Startup completely.
On the other hand, Fastboot (also known as UEFI Fastboot) refers to a BIOS setting that tells your computer to ignore or reduce hardware checks, essentially getting to the loading stage of your operating system even faster. Generally, UEFI fastboot is harmless. If you know your devices work, it is not always necessary to test them. You should generally disable it if your USB devices charge too late, your PC won’t turn on after startup, or if you frequently need to enter your BIOS settings to get the most out of your PC.
Most of the time, though, Fast Start is the option you’ll want to change. This means that your computer does not shut down completely, even if you use the command. Think of it like your computer taking a snapshot of how it’s working at that moment, with applications and drivers all working. This is great for saving time loading your operating system, but it also doesn’t solve technical problems. Reboots, in comparison, close applications and other items loaded on the computer, forcing the computer to reload everything again. This is part of why technicians usually ask if you’ve restarted a computer to fix a problem.
How to Disable Fast Startup and Why You Should Do It
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If you don’t restart your PC often, the distinctions between shutdowns and restarts may not matter as much. But if you frequently choose to “shut down” your computer, be aware that fast booting has potential drawbacks. Because it’s basically about keeping the computer loaded as it was, you’ll probably still have a hard time squashing bugs and glitches. To do this, you will need to perform a reboot.
Some driver updates also don’t work properly with Fast Startup. For example, Microsoft advised in a previous Windows 10 troubleshooting guide to use the restart sequence instead of shutdown if you’re having issues with software updates. Choosing the restart option during a Windows update would resolve this issue, but disabling Fast Startup would avoid the issue altogether.
This is why some users prefer to disable fast startup to avoid abnormal behavior of your hardware and software. Turning it off is easy. Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options > System Settings. There you can change what the power buttons do, including unchecking the “Enable fast startup (recommended)” box.
