> For instance when I launch a command prompt often it is up in <1s, but sometimes it takes 10s.
On Windows, a reason for this might be virus scanners. Get rid of all third party virus scanners and tune the settings on the built in ones.
I personally am of the opinion that virus scanners are a waste of computing resources, in that if you reach the point where a binary you run has been infected you are probably compromised in ways a virus scanner cannot fix anyways.
What's more, virus scanners often run with SYSTEM privileges and consist of hundreds of thousands of often shitty LOC, presenting a huge attack surface. These days you might infected because you're running "anti-virus" software.
On Windows, a reason for this might be virus scanners. Get rid of all third party virus scanners and tune the settings on the built in ones.
I personally am of the opinion that virus scanners are a waste of computing resources, in that if you reach the point where a binary you run has been infected you are probably compromised in ways a virus scanner cannot fix anyways.