In order to boost the performance of your Windows 11 PC, there are a number of tips and tricks you can employ. Although Windows 11 already speeds up performance compared to Windows 10, it is possible to achieve even faster results. As PCs tend to slow down over time, it is important to implement these tips to ensure that your device stays speedy. The following are some tips for optimizing Windows 11 performance:
- Disable programs that run on startup: Your PC can become sluggish if programs you do not use are running in the background. To fix this, launch the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl-Shift-Esc, right-clicking the lower-right corner of your screen and selecting Task Manager, or typing task manager into the Windows 11 search box and pressing Enter. Once the Task Manager is open, click the Startup apps icon on the left side of the screen. This displays a list of programs and services that launch when you start Windows. To stop a program or service from launching at startup, right-click it and select Disable.
- Use Efficiency Mode: Efficiency Mode, which is new to Windows 11 22H2, can help speed up your PC and improve laptop battery life. It does this by lowering the process priority of background applications. To put an app or process into Efficiency Mode, launch the Task Manager and click the Processes icon on the left side of the screen. Click the app or process you want to put into Efficiency Mode, then click the Efficiency mode icon at the top right of the screen and confirm that you want to turn on Efficiency Mode for the app.
- Use automatic Windows maintenance: Windows 11 constantly performs maintenance on your PC in the background, such as security scanning and performing system diagnostics. This helps your PC run at peak performance. The automatic maintenance runs every day at 2:00 a.m. if your device is plugged into a power source and is asleep. To ensure it is turned on, go to the Control Panel app, select System and Security > Security and Maintenance, and click Start maintenance. To make sure that it runs every day, click Change maintenance settings and select the time you want maintenance to run.
- Kill adware and bloatware: If your PC is slow, it may be due to bloatware or adware. To fix this, use a reputable adware or malware removal tool to scan your PC and remove any unwanted software.
photo: Pixabay - If you have an older or slower PC, you may want to disable Windows 11’s shadows, animations, and visual effects. These eye-catching features don’t usually affect performance on faster machines, but they can cause a slowdown on older ones. To turn them off, search for “sysdm.cpl” in the Windows 11 search box and click the corresponding icon to open the Control Panel’s System Properties dialog box. Then, click the Advanced tab, select Settings in the Performance section, and go to the Visual Effects tab. Here, you can deselect various animations and effects to improve your PC’s performance.
- Changing your PC’s power settings can also help boost its performance. If you’re currently using the “Power saver” plan, you’re sacrificing performance for energy savings. Switching to the “High performance” or “Balanced” plan can give you an instant performance boost. To do this, search for “control” in the Windows 11 search box, open the Control Panel app, select Hardware and Sound, and then choose Power Options. Depending on your PC’s make and model, you may see additional plans beyond the default “Balanced (recommended)” and “Power saver.” To access the “High performance” option, click the down arrow by “Show additional plans” and select the plan you prefer.
- Windows 11 may offer you tips and suggestions based on your activity, but you may find these notifications intrusive and unhelpful. Disabling them can improve your PC’s performance and privacy. To do this, click the Start button, select Settings, go to System, and click Notifications. Scroll down to Additional settings and uncheck the box marked “Get tips and suggestions when using Windows.”
- Another feature that can affect your PC’s performance is Game Mode, which optimizes your system for gaming by prioritizing resources for games and reserving some resources for future gaming sessions. While this is useful for serious gamers, it can slow down your PC when you’re not playing games. Turning off Game Mode can provide a quick performance boost. To do this, go to Settings, select Gaming, and click Game Mode. Then, move the Game Mode slider to Off.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your Windows 11 PC stays speedy and performs at its best.
