/ How to

How To Speed Up Windows 11 Performance

Introduction

Windows 11 comes with several performance enhancements and optimizations under the hood. However, over time all computers tend to slow down due to software bloat, fragmented hard drives, unnecessary background processes, etc.

Fortunately, there are several ways you can speed up and optimize Windows 11 to regain that performance boost. This article covers the top methods to improve Windows 11 speed and responsiveness.

Update Windows

Before trying anything else, make sure your Windows 11 is fully updated with the latest patches. Microsoft constantly rolls out updates that fix bugs and improve system performance.

To check for updates:

  1. Go to Settings > Windows Update
  2. Click on Check for updates. Install any available updates.

Disable Visual Effects

The visual effects in Windows 11 look nice, but they utilize additional system resources. You can disable some of them to free up resources and improve performance:

  1. Search for Adjust appearance and performance of Windows
  2. Go to the Visual Effects tab
  3. Select Adjust for best performance to disable most visual effects

Or selectively turn off effects like transparency, animations, etc.

Adjust Power Settings

Switching to the High Performance power plan will ensure your CPU, GPU and RAM operate at maximum speed all the time:

  1. Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options
  2. Select High performance
  • This may reduce battery backup on laptops

Change Startup Apps

Too many programs running at startup can slow down boot time and system performance.

To manage startup apps:

  1. Open Task Manager
  2. Go to the Startup tab
  3. Right click on unwanted apps and select Disable

Run Disk Cleanup

Delete junk files and temporary system files using Disk Cleanup:

  1. Search for Disk Cleanup
  2. Select drive to clean up
  3. Select file types to delete
  4. Click OK

Defragment Drives

Defragmenting arranges files on your hard drives in an optimal way, improving read/write speeds:

  1. Go to Settings > System > Storage
  2. Under More Storage Settings, click on Optimize Drives
  3. Select the drive and click Optimize

Uninstall Bloatware

Uninstall unused Windows 11 apps and bloatware pre-installed by your manufacturer. Some examples:

  • 3D Viewer
  • Groove Music
  • Mixed Reality Portal
  • Bloatware like trial antivirus suites

Use Game Mode

Game Mode optimizes your system performance for better gaming experience. Enable it before playing games:

  1. Go to Settings > Gaming
  2. Turn on Game Mode

Conclusion

Following these tips will noticeably speed up Windows 11 and improve its overall performance and responsiveness. Make sure to check for software updates regularly. Also consider upgrading to an SSD or adding more RAM if your system still feels sluggish.

Related Posts