Office is too slow, so Microsoft is making it load at Windows startup (pcworld.com)

Article summary

Microsoft is introducing a new feature called Startup Boost, which will load Office applications at Windows startup to improve their launch speed. The feature will only be enabled on PCs with at least 8GB of RAM and 5GB of free disk space. Users will be able to disable the feature in Word's settings or in the Task Scheduler. The update will initially apply to Microsoft Word and later spread to other Office programs.

Main themes

• Microsoft Office performance
• Windows startup speed
• Software efficiency
• Electronic waste
• Corporate software priorities
• User experience

What commenters say

• Microsoft's decision to load Office at startup is seen as a Band-Aid solution that does not address the underlying issue of inefficient software.
• The move is criticized for potentially slowing down Windows startup and contributing to electronic waste by making older computers obsolete.
• Some commenters argue that the feature may not significantly impact startup time due to its delayed loading mechanism.
• Others believe that Microsoft's focus on loading Office at startup is misguided and that the company should prioritize making the software more efficient instead.
• The discussion also touches on the topic of Windows startup speed, with some arguing that it is not a significant issue, while others claim that it can be slow and frustrating.
• Some commenters suggest that the slowdown is often caused by corporate security software and other third-party applications, rather than Windows itself.
• There is also a perception that Microsoft's actions are driven by a desire to maintain its market dominance, rather than a genuine concern for user experience or environmental sustainability.