How to know the boot time and usage in Windows 11 with all the methods

Have you ever wondered how long it actually takes for your computer to boot up from the moment you press the power button until you can start using it? Measure boot time in Windows 11 It's an effective way to detect potential performance issues, determine if your system is running as it should, and, incidentally, learn how to optimize it if you notice it's running slower than you'd like. Knowing these numbers can also be crucial if you suspect something isn't right or simply want to get your PC in tip-top shape, especially if you use it for work or demanding tasks.

In Windows 11 there are multiple ways to find out the boot time and how long the computer has been on., both using built-in tools and external programs. Below, we explain, in detail and step by step, all the options so you can choose the one that best suits your needs, from basic methods designed for any user to advanced alternatives ideal for those who want more precise data or want to delve deeper into performance analysis.

Why is it important to measure boot time in Windows 11?

Boot time is a good indicator of your computer's health.. As time goes by, if the boot becomes slower, it may be due to the accumulation of programs that start with the system, the presence of malware, to conflicts of hardware or simply because the hard drive is starting to show signs of fatigue.

This data is especially useful in professional environments, for system administrators, or if you work with multiple computers and need to know when they've been turned on and off. It can even be relevant if you want to sell your secondhand PC, as it helps estimate the actual usage of the machine.

Built-in tools in Windows 11 to view boot and usage time

The good news is that Windows 11 offers several native and easy ways to check the boot time and system uptime.You don't need to install anything or have any advanced knowledge, although the more experienced you are, the more you'll be able to take advantage of these features.

1. Task manager

One of the fastest and most reliable ways to know how long your computer has been on is to use the Task Manager. To open it, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right-click on the taskbar and select 'Task Manager'.

Inside the tab Unlimited, access the section CPUAt the very bottom, you'll see a section called 'Uptime' that tells you exactly how long the operating system has been running since the last full boot.

The format is usually Hours – Minutes – Seconds – MillisecondsThis counter resets every time you shut down, restart, or wake your computer from sleep mode.

2. View the time from the network adapter

Another interesting way to check uptime is through the network connection. Go to Control panel > Network and Internet > Center network and sharing and double-click on your network adapter (Ethernet or Wi-Fi).

In the window that appears, look for the "Duration" line. This value represents how long the network has been connected, which, in most cases, corresponds to the time your PC has been on. Eye: If only the network card is rebooted or the connection is reestablished, this time is reset and is no longer an exact boot time.

3. Use the CMD console and PowerShell

If you prefer the lines of commands, you can get very accurate information from DCM o PowerShell:

• CMD: Run as administrator and type:
  systeminfo | find "Tiempo de arranque del sistema"
  This will show the exact date and time of the last boot.
• WMIC: If you want the data in raw format (exact start date and time), run:
  wmic path Win32_OperatingSystem get LastBootUpTime
• PowerShell: You can calculate the exact time elapsed since the last boot by running:
  (get-date) – (gcim Win32_OperatingSystem).LastBootUpTime

These options often provide more detail and allow you to integrate them into scripts for automated analysis or data collection if you have multiple computers.

4. Check the Windows installation date

If you're interested in knowing how many days your operating system has been installed (for example, to get an idea of its age), you can run from CMD:

systeminfo

Look for the line that says 'Original Installation Date'. You can also use this in PowerShell:
(Get-CimInstance -Class Win32_OperatingSystem).InstallDate

Important: The installation date may change if you've made major Windows upgrades (for example, from one major version to another), so it doesn't always reflect the actual date you first used your computer.

Use Windows Event Viewer to view startups and shutdowns

The Event Viewer is one of those little-known but extremely useful tools. when you want comprehensive control over everything that happens on your PC, including when it turns on or off.

To access, press Windows + R, writes eventvwr and press Enter. Navigate through Windows logs > SystemHere you'll see thousands of events; to filter out those related to startups and shutdowns, use 'Filter Current Log' and enter the following IDs, separated by commas:

• 1: Suspension output
• 12: Turning on the equipment
• 13: Off
• 42: Entering sleep mode

This way, you can see the exact time these events occurred and calculate the time between power on and power off, or even detect if someone else has used your PC.

External applications to measure boot and usage time

Although native Windows tools offer a good level of detail, If you are looking for more comfort or a clearer display, you can use third-party programs.There are several free and very lightweight alternatives that barely consume any resources.

TurnedOnTimesView

Developed by NirSoft, TurnedOnTimesView is a free, portable utility that extracts data from the Event Viewer and presents it in a clear and organized manner. You'll be able to see:

• Dates and times of last power on and off
• Total usage time
• Reason for shutdown, team name, and more

Ideal for those who want quick data without having to navigate through complex windows. It also allows you to view these logs from other computers remotely via the IP address or computer name.

Crystal Disk Info

Crystal Disk Info is a well-known program for monitoring the status of your hard drives and SSDs. A lesser-known feature is that it allows you to view the internal hours of use counter of the disk, the only component that stores this data reliably and is not reset when changing operating systems or reinstalling Windows.

Download and run it (there's a portable version). Look for the "Hours On" field. If your hard drive has never been replaced, that number is exactly the number of hours the computer has been running. However, if the main drive has ever been replaced, it will no longer be representative of the PC's total usage.

Boot Racer

Another very popular option is Boot RacerThis free tool records the exact time it takes for your computer to boot, excluding phases such as the POST of the BIOS or the time it takes to enter your password. After installing and running it, you can start a full test and see a table with boot times and a breakdown by application and service—ideal for detecting which ones slow down startup.

Advanced Methods with Windows Assessment Toolkit

If you are looking for an a thorough analysis of each phase of the startup, Windows Assessment Toolkit (WAC) is the official Microsoft tool for technicians and advanced users.

Step by step to measure the start with WAC

1. Opens Windows Assessment Console and create a new custom job (you can call it 'FastStartupTest').
2. Add the evaluation of boot performance (quick start).
3. Configure the test by unchecking 'Use recommended settings' and enabling hiberfile diagnostics.
4. Run the test on the system itself.
5. Upon completion, you will receive an XML file containing all the boot data.
6. You can compare your results with a baseline report, generated on a clean install, to see the impact of applications and drivers on your machine.

The reports detail phases such as:

• Shutdown phase
• BIOS Initialization
• Windows booting
• Post on/off duration (until the equipment is really ready)

This makes it possible to detect specific bottlenecks, slow drivers, or processes that delay startup time.

Factors to consider when measuring boot time

Not all the information provided by these tools is equally accurate. You should consider several factors that can skew the results:

• Sleep and Hibernation: If you use these functions a lot, Windows doesn't actually count it as a power on/off, so the time counter may not be accurate.
• Windows updates: Often, when the system updates, it forces reboots that appear as normal shutdowns and restarts. This can give you the impression that the computer has been on or off longer than it was actually manually managed.
• Actual duration vs. recorded duration: If you only look at the time since the last power-on, you won't know the total usage of the device, only the time it has been active since the last full restart.

The role of hardware in PC startup and lifespan

The component that most influences boot speed is the disk drive. storageIf you're using a mechanical hard drive (HDD), upgrading to an SSD makes a world of difference, both in boot time and overall user experience. For around €30, you can buy a 256GB SSD and rejuvenate your machine in a matter of minutes.

Other factors, such as the age of the power supply, the processor's thermal paste, or the intensive use of RAM, also affect long-term performance, even without you noticing it at startup.

How to use the data obtained to improve the team

Once you have your start times clear, you can apply measures to improve themThe most effective are:

• Disable unnecessary applications at startup (from Task Manager itself or with tools like BootRacer)
• Update drivers and essential firmware
• Antivirus and malware scans can be passed if you detect slowdowns.
• Consider upgrading to SSD if you're still using HDD.
• Perform periodic maintenance checks (physical cleaning, changing thermal paste if you have experience)

Other ways to monitor PC usage times

If you are one of those who want to control absolutely everything, you can also use smart plugsThese devices record how many hours you have had your PC on, energy consumption and can be synchronized with apps and assistants like Alexa. They're a good option for recording the exact usage of any device from scratch, although they're not useful for tracking cumulative usage if you haven't used them from the start.

Should you turn off your PC from time to time?

For years it was said that it was good to turn off the computer every day. Nowadays this is not necessary except in specific cases.Windows 11 uses fast startup and sleep features to reduce wear and tear and improve efficiency, although it's necessary to restart occasionally to clear memory and troubleshoot potential issues. However, if your computer is a few years old, it's a good idea to shut it down completely when not in use, especially in the summer or if you notice it's getting too hot.

Knowing exactly how long it takes your PC to boot and how long it has been on not only helps you keep it in shape, but also helps you anticipate potential problems before they become a major breakdown.Plus, it lets you optimize your user experience and get the most out of your computer, whether you're a home or business user. Take advantage of all these tools, choose the one that's most convenient for you, and spend a few minutes checking the status of your Windows 11. Your computer (and your patience) will thank you for it.