Windows 11 Lengthy Boot

New information. The Acronis Cyber Protection service is running. I can't kill it in Task Manager. And when Disable all in msconfig, it will not disable that process. So this could be the problem. It makes sense that a low level process like this that's responsible for security would kick off a process every so often to scan etc. And would not allow itself to be canceled.

I think my only option is to uninstall this software. However, I have done this previously and the problem persisted. I'll try it again though and follow the steps again in the link and report back.

Ok after the Acronis product was uninstalled the problem went away. So - I'll contact their technical support and leave it uninstalled. Since I have Windows Defender on and Malwarebytes I'm well protected. I was also using the product for backup but that doesn't work anymore anyway to I will leave it uninstalled. I remember uninstalling it as part of this troubleshooting process last week, and the problem persisted/ But perhaps it did not uninstall correctly. These applications will low level persistent processes can be difficult to eliminate.

Thanks so much for your help.

OMG - after uninstalling Acronis as noted above the problem went away. But after I rebooted the issue came back. I've verified that no Acronis processes are running. Completely at a loss, but my plan is now that it's uninstalled and I've eliminated it as a cause I will go through the instructions in your link once again and we'll go from there. What a pain this is! I'll report back.

Brian,

I would uninstall any 3rd party antivirus in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features and try running only built-in Defender which gives adequate protection, best Windows performance, least issues, and is from Microsoft who knows how to protect their OS best.

But there is a process to do this because of the high likelihood that System Files may have been damaged by infection the 3rd party let through, or often they can be damaged by the 3rd party AV or it's removal itself.

After uninstalling run any special uninstaller tool for the antivirus provided here:

Download Antivirus Removal Tools For All Antivirus Products

Restart the PC, then type Security in Start Search, open Windows Security, fix anything that's flagged. Report back any that cannot be fixed.

To make sure you're not infected now, and if you want the best on-demand scanner, download and install Malwarebytes from https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/ In it's Settings > Security tab enable Scan for Rootkits. Then on Scan tab choose Threat Scan and Run Scan. Clean up anything found, restart PC and then run again until it comes up clean.

Then download, install and run a full scan with AdwCleaner: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcle... Remove whatever it finds. Check for any apps flagged by the scans or that you didn't install or want, in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, and also in each of your browser's Extensions, Home Page settings, Search service or Add-On's as shown here: https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001411.htm

Then check for damaged System files by running System File Checker from Step 10 in this checklist: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki....

If completing all of Step 10 in above Checklist doesn't fix it then run a Repair Install which reinstalls WIndows while keeping your files, programs and most settings in place, by installing the Media Creation Tool from this link http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m..., open the tool and choose Upgrade This PC Now. This will solve most problems and also bring it up to the latest version which you need anyway and by the most stable method.

If you want to keep Malwarebytes as an on-demand scanner then you can turn off its Real Time trial version in it's Settings > Account Details tab. It's nto really necessary to have more than it's free scanner if you don't get regularly infected, though, as it can sometimes conflict.

Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary. I am standing by here to help you.

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