mac is so slow booting up apps etc.

At this point I suggest that you run an EtreCheck report, and optionally, post it here if you need assistance with interpreting its results. EtreCheck is a diagnostics tool that greatly helps with troubleshooting.

Ref: Using EtreCheck to Troubleshoot Potential… - Apple Community

davfis Said:

"mac is so slow booting up apps etc.: how do I speed up my mac it takes forever to start any app etc."

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Troubleshooting a Slow Mac:

Too much is likely running in the background. System resources are probably being eaten up quite a bit.

So, here is what to try....

Boot into Safe Mode [Hold Down: shift key upon boot] and then perform the following:

A. Remove Login items:

See if Safari and/or Chrome are Login Items. If so, remove them as such and then restart the Mac, seeing if it/they no longer load(s) at login.  Go Here: Change Users & Groups Login Items preferences on Mac - Apple Support.

B. Uninstall Security Software:

Any Security Software installed on your computer? If so, uninstall it. Use the Uninstaller for to do so, getting the Uninstaller directly from my Developer’s site, as getting it else where may result in Malware or Spyware being installed. If you are uncertain which to download, then as the Developer. What is it doing is running you through VPN (Virtual Private Network), and your location is seen elsewhere — perhaps a location that this site is inaccessible to.

C. Then, Scan your Mac for Malware: 

Use MalwareBytes for Mac --- This is software that searches for malware/adware. So, scan with it and then remove what is found. Once removed, uninstall MalwareBytes for Mac. Then restart the Mac.

Downloads:

1. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac
2. Malwarebytes Uninstaller

D. Cleaning the Space:

• Delete: extremely large files (I.e. Virtual Machines)
• Clean: TV and Music Libraries

Remove all unneeded files from your TV and Music Libraries. Full-Movies take up 2-4GB typically, and a bunch of those would take up a load of storage, ideally. So, if you have any movies that are not needed, then delete them.

Also..

• Clear: Temporary Internet Files

Clear your Temporary Internet Files (Cookies & Cache) of Safari:

-- Cookies perform remembrance of certain site-entered data.

-- Cache keeps a snapshot of the last time you visited a site.

Go Here: Clear the History and Cookies from Safari on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch - Apple Support

+1 on Etrecheck.

There is no way others can help unless you provide specific information.

Etrecheck produces a report that will tell us about your mac hardware and software, so we can look for known problems.

We don't even know what model you have, what OS... etc

Please post the report as Tesserax requested.

My iMac start up slow

Brownterry, please start a new topic thread, and follow the suggestions with Etrecheck earlier. It will help you identify what programs are slowing you down.