Boosting performance in Windows 11 is crucial, especially if you’re a gamer or use your computer for resource-intensive tasks. With the operating system’s constant updates and improvements, some tweaks can make a significant difference. Here are 14 ways to speed up your Windows 11 PC without compromising its appearance.
1. Uninstall Crapware
Remove unnecessary programs from your computer by right-clicking on app icons in the Start menu and selecting “Uninstall”. Sort installed apps alphabetically or by recent installs to find unwanted programs, and uninstall them one by one.
2. Limit Startup Processes
Use the Task Manager (Ctrl-Shift-Esc) to manage startup processes. Go to the Startup tab, right-click on an entry, and select “Disable” if you don’t need it running at startup.
3. Clean Up Your Disk
Enable Windows’ Storage Sense features: Cleanup of Temporary Files and Automatic User Content Cleanup. These options automatically free up space by removing temporary files and Recycle Bin items.
4. Check for Viruses and Spyware
Run Microsoft Defender to scan your PC for viruses and spyware. Consider using dedicated malware removal software and ongoing antivirus protection, as some products have a lighter footprint on system performance.
5. Change the Power Mode to Best Performance
Set your power setting to “Best Performance” in Settings > System > Power & Battery. This will boost computing speed but also increase electricity consumption.
6. Keep Windows Up-to-Date
Regularly check for security and reliability updates, which may include system software components and hardware driver updates. Schedule updates during maintenance hours or pause them when not needed.
7. Run Troubleshooters
Click the Start button, search for “troubleshoot”, and run recommended utilities. Choose to run them automatically or manually, including Hardware and Devices troubleshooters.
8. Install and Run Microsoft PC Manager
Download and run Microsoft PC Manager, which brings together performance optimizers and a RAM cleanup function. It may improve your machine’s performance but minimally.
9. Add More RAM (If Possible)
Consider adding more RAM if possible, as it can potentially speed up PC operations. Research the type of RAM your PC requires and purchase from reputable brands like Kingston or Corsair.
10. Install an SSD Startup Drive
Replace your internal startup hard drive with a solid-state drive (SSD) for faster performance when starting demanding applications like Adobe Photoshop.
11. Change the System Appearance in Performance Options
Adjust system settings to prioritize performance over visual effects by using the Adjust for Best Performance option or manually selecting features to disable.
12. Turn Off Search Indexing
Disable search indexing if it’s causing slowdowns, especially on lower-powered PCs. Choose which file types Windows should index and expand subfolders as needed.
13. Turn Off Tips and Notifications
Pause Windows’ Tips feature by opening Settings > System > Notifications and turning off all notifications for individual apps. Use the Do Not Disturb button to easily re-enable them later.
14. Bonus for Gamers: Game Mode and Other Game Settings
Enable Windows 11’s Game Mode (Settings > Gaming) to limit background tasks, pause notifications, and achieve a more stable frame rate when playing PC games.
By implementing these 14 tips, you can boost your Windows 11 performance without compromising its appearance or functionality.
Source: https://uk.pcmag.com/migrated-3765-windows-10/4769/12-simple-tweaks-to-speed-up-windows-10