Slow start-up?

[Mart]

One possible reason for slowness I've read about is that Windows Defender scans relevant files every time a program is started. This method of working might always cause a delay. If a different AV program works the same way, then perhaps this would also cause a delay. Other AV programs may not work the same. Having scanned the files once, they are known to be safe and hence it wouldn't be necessary to scan them again.

Whether a program opens speedily under Windows Defender might depend on the files (or the number of files) being scanned. All just a theory though. Other security programs I've tried that don't cause a lag are:

Avira Pro.
HitmanPro.Alert3.
Malwarebytes Pro (running realtime).
Bitdefender Internet Security.

All these being run with Windows Defender disabled. XDP opens much more quickly under these conditions.

[wizard509]

I use Avast free version + Malwarebytes free and have had no problems
Is it just Xara or all your programs? Do you have a lot of fonts installed, that could slow down your machine too.

[Mart]

There are 610 fonts in the fonts folder, which is quite a number and I could try cutting this down. Then again, other graphics/image programs installed on the SSD open in about half the time of XPD. In my experience, the comparatively slower opening time of Xara is overcome by using an AV program other than Windows Defender. If Windows Defender is thought good or sufficient security though, Xara opening more slowly wouldn't be a reason to stop using it.

[wizard509]

There are 610 fonts in the fonts folder, which is quite a number and I could try cutting this down. Then again, other graphics/image programs installed on the SSD open in about half the time of XPD. In my experience, the comparatively slower opening time of Xara is overcome by using an AV program other than Windows Defender. If Windows Defender is thought good or sufficient security though, Xara opening more slowly wouldn't be a reason to stop using it.

OK. Kinda odd that Windows Defender should be causing a problem with Xara. For me that would be reason enough to switch to Avast. The free version is sufficient for my needs. My son also uses Avast free and Malwarebytes free and is a firm beliver in them.
I also use a couple other programs to clean my computer of any unwanted junk that could be causing me problems.
Have you cleared your browser cash whatever browser you are using but not cookies and also IE cash. The reason I do not clear my cookies is so I do not have to sign in here every time. Poor reason maybe.

http://www.magix.com/gb/xara-photo-g.../new-features/

[Mart]

The computer had a clean installation of the Fall Creators Update when it became available. The system is kept clean and optimised but the entry for XPD is allowed to remain in the C:\Windows\Prefetch folder (should aid start-up times).