How To Increase Performance In Windows 11

“Increasing performance on Windows 11 can transform your computer experience, making it run faster, smoother, and more efficiently. Whether you’re gaming, working, or just browsing, a few tweaks can truly optimize your system. Let me walk you through How To Increase Performance In Windows 11 step by step, just as I would explain it to a friend.”

1. Update Windows Regularly

The first step to ensuring that your Windows 11 system is performing at its best is by keeping it updated. Microsoft frequently releases updates to fix bugs, improve security, and enhance performance.

Here’s how to check for updates:

• Click on Start and then go to Settings.
• Select Windows Update from the left sidebar.
• Click Check for updates.

If updates are available, download and install them. Regular updates make sure your system has the latest features and optimizations, preventing issues that could slow it down.

2. Optimize Startup Programs

When you start your computer, some programs launch automatically in the background, which can slow down your startup time and overall performance. Let’s reduce the load by disabling unnecessary startup programs.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Task Manager.
2. Go to the Startup tab. You’ll see a list of programs that run on startup.
3. For each program that you don’t need right away, right-click it and select Disable.

Programs like Spotify, OneDrive, or Skype don’t need to be running when your PC boots up unless you actively use them.

3. Manage Background Apps

Windows 11 allows many apps to run in the background, consuming valuable resources. These apps can impact both your system’s performance and battery life.

To manage background apps:

• Go to Settings > Privacy & security.
• Scroll down to Background apps.
• Turn off the background activity for any apps you don’t need to constantly run.

This is particularly useful for lightweight systems, as it helps free up both memory and CPU usage.

4. Turn Off Visual Effects

Windows 11 comes with lots of fancy visual effects, like transparency and animations. They look great, but they can slow down your computer, especially if you’re using older hardware. Disabling these effects can give a noticeable speed boost.

To turn off visual effects:

1. Right-click on This PC and select Properties.
2. Click on Advanced System Settings located on the left.
3. Under the Performance section, click Settings.
4. Select Adjust for best performance. This will disable all vThis will turn off all visual effects.

Alternatively, you can manually choose which effects to disable if you want to keep some of the aesthetics but still improve performance.

5. Free Up Disk Space

Over time, your hard drive accumulates junk files, temporary data, and old system files that can slow down your PC. Clearing up space will speed things up and give you more room for important files and apps.

Here’s how to clean up disk space:

• Open Settings and go to System > Storage.
• Turn on Storage Sense, which automatically deletes unnecessary files like temporary files and items in the recycle bin.
• You can also click on Temporary files and manually select which files to delete (such as old Windows installation files).

A good rule of thumb is to always keep at least 10-15% of your hard drive free for the system to run smoothly.

6. Defragment Your Hard Drive

If you’re using a traditional hard disk drive (HDD), defragmenting it can help reorganize fragmented data and make your system run more efficiently. Solid-state drives (SSDs) don’t need defragmentation, but Windows 11 handles optimizing them automatically.

Here’s how to defragment your drive:

1. Open the Start menu and search for Defragment and Optimize Drives.
2. Select your hard drive and click Optimize.

It’s a good idea to run this process once a month or so for an HDD. If you’re using an SSD, make sure it’s being optimized in the same window.

7. Uninstall Unnecessary Software

Many pre-installed apps (bloatware) and programs that you no longer use can slow down your PC. Uninstalling them frees up system resources and speeds up performance.

Here’s how to remove unnecessary apps:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Look through the list of installed apps and uninstall the ones you don’t need.

Be cautious not to remove any system-critical applications, but feel free to get rid of apps like pre-installed games, trial software, or third-party utilities that you never use.

8. Use an SSD Instead of HDD

If your computer still runs on an HDD, upgrading to an SSD (Solid State Drive) will provide one of the biggest performance boosts. SSDs are much faster at reading and writing data, which means faster boot times, quicker file access, and smoother performance overall.

Swapping out an HDD for an SSD can make even older PCs feel brand new, and it’s one of the best hardware investments for improving performance.

9. Increase Virtual Memory

Virtual memory is like a backup for your RAM when your computer runs out of physical memory. By increasing virtual memory, you can help your system manage more tasks without slowing down.

Here’s how to adjust virtual memory:

1. Right-click the Start button and choose System.
2. Select Advanced system settings.
3. Under the Performance section, click Settings, then navigate to the Advanced tab.
4. Click on Change under the Virtual Memory section.
5. Uncheck the box for Automatically manage paging file size for all drives, then select Custom size.
6. Set the Initial size to around 1.5 times your system’s RAM, and the Maximum size to 3 times your RAM.

If you have 8GB of RAM, set the initial size to 12,000 MB and the maximum size to 24,000 MB. This can help Windows handle larger tasks without bogging down.

10. Disable Notifications and Tips

Windows 11 likes to show you tips, suggestions, and notifications, which can slightly impact performance. Disabling these notifications can streamline your experience and reduce distractions.

Here’s how to turn them off:

1. Go to Settings > System > Notifications.
2. Scroll down and toggle off the tips and suggestions, as well as notifications from unnecessary apps.

This keeps your system from wasting resources on displaying pop-ups and alerts that you may not need.

11. Disable Background Sync for OneDrive

If you use OneDrive for cloud storage, it automatically syncs your files in the background. While convenient, this can slow down your PC, especially if you have large files being uploaded or downloaded.

Here’s how to pause or adjust OneDrive syncing:

1. Click on the OneDrive icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of your screen).
2. Click Help & Settings, then choose Pause syncing.

Alternatively, you can configure OneDrive to sync fewer files or only sync specific folders.

12. Run a Full Malware Scan

Malware, viruses, and spyware can wreak havoc on your PC’s performance. Regularly scanning your system ensures it stays free from these malicious programs.

Here’s how to do it:

• Open Windows Security by searching for it in the Start menu.
• Go to Virus & threat protection.
• Click Quick Scan or Full Scan to scan your system for malware.

If you don’t already have a trusted antivirus program, Windows Security is built-in and does a decent job at keeping threats at bay. However, having a robust antivirus program alongside Windows Security is always a good idea.

13. Upgrade Your RAM

Adding more RAM is another excellent way to boost performance, especially if your system frequently runs out of memory. This is particularly useful if you like multitasking with many apps open at once, or if you use demanding software like video editing tools or games.

If you notice frequent stuttering or lagging when you open multiple programs, consider upgrading your RAM. Most modern systems should have at least 8GB, but for more demanding tasks, 16GB or even 32GB can make a world of difference.

14. Enable Game Mode (For Gamers)

If you’re into gaming, Windows 11 has a built-in Game Mode that prioritizes gaming performance by allocating more resources to the game and limiting background processes.

To enable Game Mode:

• Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode.
• Toggle Game Mode to On.

This feature reduces background activity while gaming, resulting in better frame rates and overall smoother gameplay.

15. Use a High-Performance Power Plan

By default, Windows 11 uses a balanced power plan, which optimizes between performance and energy efficiency. Switching to a high-performance plan can make a noticeable difference in speed, particularly for desktop PCs.

Here’s how to switch power plans:

1. Open Control Panel and go to Hardware and Sound.
2. Click on Power Options.
3. Choose High Performance or Ultimate Performance.

Keep in mind that using a high-performance power plan will consume more energy, which may not be ideal for laptops when you’re on battery power. But it does boost speed.

16. Regularly Restart Your PC

It might seem simple, but regularly restarting your PC can clear out temporary files, stop processes that have been running for too long, and generally refresh the system. Aim to restart at least once a week to keep things running smoothly.

Final Thoughts

To improve performance on Windows 11, focus on optimizing settings, keeping the system clean, and sometimes upgrading hardware. By following these steps on how to increase performance in Windows 11, you can greatly enhance your PC’s speed and efficiency. Whether you’re aiming for smoother gaming, faster work processes, or just a snappier system, these tips will help you get the most out of Windows 11.