Compare menu opening, submenu navigation, and search separately. Slow network shortcuts, expensive custom resources, and intentional animation delays can feel similar but need different fixes. A minimal local configuration gives you a useful baseline.
What to do
- Time the first menu opening and subsequent openings separately using the same account. Note whether the slowdown begins only after typing a search query.
- Test a supplied style without a large custom skin or remote-folder shortcut. Open a local folder and one installed application.
- Inspect Main menu animation and Sub-menu animation settings. The project FAQ describes these controls; change one duration or effect at a time.
- Restore custom items in small groups until the delay returns. Record the exact item or action rather than applying a collection of unrelated performance tweaks.
Check the result
Compare the same actions before and after each change. Keep the configuration only when the improvement is repeatable and the required shortcuts still work.
Limits & precautions
This guide does not promise a particular loading time or frame rate. Do not disable Windows security services or indexing system-wide solely to speed up a Start menu.
Questions & answers
Can an animation setting look like a performance problem?
Yes. Compare with a reduced or disabled menu animation before diagnosing a rendering fault.
Why test local folders?
It removes unavailable network destinations from the first troubleshooting pass.
Sources & scope
Documentation checked October 30, 2026. These instructions are documentation-led, not a claim of hands-on testing on your Windows build.