Ten proven tips to optimize Windows 11 for better performance

Boost Windows 11 performance with these 10 tips

Windows 11, the newest version of Microsoft's operating system, has several features aimed at improving the way users interact with their devices. However, like any software, it can slow down over time due to various factors such as excessive software, irrelevant settings, or incorrect configurations. To help you optimize your system and improve its speed, we've put together 10 useful tips for better performance. These simple changes can really boost your PC's efficiency and make your experience smoother.

1. Keep your system updated

One of the easiest ways to keep Windows 11 running smoothly is to keep it up to date. Because it's still relatively new, Microsoft frequently releases updates to fix issues, improve speed, and strengthen security.

How to do it:

Go to Settings > Windows Update and hit Check for updates. Install any available updates to get your system up to date with the latest features and fixes.

Why it helps:

Updates typically include performance improvements, bug fixes, and security enhancements that help your system run smoothly.

2. Disable startup programs

Many applications start automatically when you start your PC, which can slow down boot times. Disabling unnecessary startup programs can free up resources and make everything run more smoothly.

How to do it:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Click the Startup tab, then right-click on any unnecessary programs and select Disable.

Why it helps:

Fewer programs running in the background means your PC will start up faster and consume less power.

3. Adjust power settings for performance

Windows 11 offers different power plans that focus on saving power or optimizing performance. For the best speed, switch to the High Performance plan.

How to do it:

Go to Settings > System > Power & battery > Power mode and choose Better performance.

Why it helps:

High Performance settings allow your system to perform at its best by speeding up processing and providing smoother performance for heavy tasks.

4. Clean your hard drive

Over time, your hard drive can accumulate unnecessary files, such as temporary logs and system logs, that take up space and slow down your system. Cleaning your disk regularly helps keep everything running smoothly.

How to do it:

Use the Storage Sense feature or manually run Disk Cleanup. Go to Settings > System > Storage and enable Storage Sense to automatically delete temporary files. Alternatively, search for Disk Cleanup in the Start menu and follow the instructions.

Why it helps:

Cleaning up disk space allows your system to run more efficiently and reduces the load on your storage drive.

5. Turn off visual effects

Windows 11 includes cool visual effects like animations and transparency, but they can consume system resources, especially on less powerful machines. Disabling or minimizing these effects can improve performance.

How to do it:

Go to Settings > System > About and click Advanced system settings. In the Performance section, click Settings. In the Performance options window, select Adjust for best performance to disable most visual effects.

Why it helps:

Reducing visual effects lightens the load on your GPU and CPU, freeing up resources for other tasks.

6. Use Storage Optimizer

Windows 11 automatically optimizes traditional hard drives and can also improve the performance of solid-state drives (SSDs). Using the Storage Optimizer tool ensures that your drives are in good shape.

How to do it:

Find Defragment and Optimize Drives and open it. Select your drive and click Optimize.

Why it helps:

Optimizing your drives helps them run efficiently and can extend their lifespan.

7. Update drivers and firmware

Old or incompatible drivers can cause performance issues, slow down your system, or cause crashes. Keeping your drivers up to date, especially for your graphics card and storage devices, helps keep your system running smoothly.

How to do it:

Go to Device Manager, find the hardware you want to update, right-click it and select Update Driver. You can also check the manufacturer's website for the latest drivers.

Why it helps:

New drivers fix bugs and compatibility issues, ensuring your system runs at its best.

8. Reduce background processes

Windows 11 runs a lot of background processes that can use valuable resources. Limiting them can free up CPU and memory for tasks you're actively working on.

How to do it:

Go to Settings > Apps > Startup and disable unnecessary apps. You can also open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to close any unnecessary processes in the Processes tab.

Why it helps:

Less background activity means more resources are available for important tasks, improving your PC's responsiveness.

9. Enable virtual memory (paging file)

Virtual memory allows your system to use part of your storage drive as additional RAM, which is useful when running memory-intensive applications. Adjusting this can improve performance if you have limited physical RAM.

How to do it:

Go to Settings > System > About, then click Advanced system settings. Under Performance, click Settings, then go to the Advanced tab. Click Change under Virtual memory and adjust the paging file size as needed.

Why it helps:

Adding virtual memory can prevent your system from running out of memory during demanding tasks, preventing slowdowns or crashes.

10. Restart your PC (as a last resort)

If your system is still slow and none of the above tips help, you might consider resetting your PC. This can fix persistent issues by restoring Windows 11 to its original state without deleting your personal files.

How to do it:

Go to Settings > System > Recovery and select Reset PC. You can choose to keep your files or start over.

Why it helps:

A reboot can resolve software conflicts and overloads, optimizing your system for better performance.