If you’ve just made the switch, to Windows 11 and are experiencing a slowdown in performance like others have lately— worry! This handy guide offers advice, on boosting your Windows speed and optimizing your computers performance without having to shell out for hardware or software solutions.
Table of Contents
- Step 1: Turn Off Transparency Effects
- Step 2: Adjust Visual Effects Settings
- Step 3: Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs
- Step 4: Stop Background Apps from Running
- Step 5: Change Your Power Plan
- Step 6: Remove Temporary Files
- Step 7: Uninstall Unused Programs
- Step 8: Defragment and Optimize Drives
- Step 9: Disable Restartable Apps Feature
- Step 10: Turn Off Notifications
- Step 11: Disable Virtualization-Based Security
- Step 12: Turn Off Game Mode
- Step 13: Rely on Built-In Windows Security
- Step 14: Restart Your PC and Check for Updates
- FAQ: Common Questions About Speeding Up Windows 11
Step 1: Turn Off Transparency Effects
Turning off transparency effects can significantly enhance your system’s performance. To do this, open the settings app by either clicking the start menu or using the keyboard shortcut Windows key + I. Navigate to Personalization and select Colors. In the Transparency effects section, toggle the switch to turn them off.
Step 2: Adjust Visual Effects Settings
Another effective method on how to speed up Windows is to adjust visual effects. Start by typing view advanced system settings in the start menu. Once you are in the advanced tab, click on Settings under the performance section. Select the option to Adjust for best performance. This will disable many visual effects that may be slowing down your system. However, you can check Show thumbnails instead of icons and Smooth edges of screen fonts if you prefer some visual clarity.
Step 3: Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs
Startup programs can greatly affect boot times and overall performance. To manage these, open the settings app and navigate to Apps, then Startup. Here, you’ll see a list of programs that run at startup. Disable any that are unnecessary by toggling them off. Be cautious and only disable those you are sure you won’t need.
Step 4: Stop Background Apps from Running
Stopping background apps can free up system resources. Right-click the Start menu and select Apps and Features. Review the list of installed applications, and for each app you don’t want running in the background, click on the three-dot menu and select Advanced options. Under Background apps permissions, set it to Never. Repeat this for all unwanted applications.
Step 5: Change Your Power Plan
Your power plan can affect your computer’s performance. To change it, click the start button and type power plan. Select Choose a power plan from the options. If you are on a balanced or power saver plan, switch to High performance or Ultimate performance if available. This change can enhance the performance of your computer significantly.
Step 6: Remove Temporary Files
Temporary files can accumulate and slow down your system. To remove them, open the settings app and go to System, then Storage. Click on Temporary files and check all the boxes for files you want to delete. Then select Remove files. For ongoing maintenance, consider enabling Storage Sense to automatically clean up unnecessary files regularly.
Step 7: Uninstall Unused Programs
Uninstalling programs you no longer use can free up space and resources. In the settings app, go to Apps and then Apps and Features. Browse through the list and for each program you want to remove, click the three-dot menu and select Uninstall. Follow the prompts to remove the software completely.
Step 8: Defragment and Optimize Drives
Defragmenting your hard drive can help improve performance. Type defragment and optimize drives in the start menu and select it. For hard disk drives, check the status; if it shows fragmentation, click Optimize. For solid-state drives, ensure they are optimized instead of defragmented, as this will enhance their performance without causing damage.
Step 9: Disable Restartable Apps Feature
The Restartable Apps feature can slow down your system by automatically reopening apps after a reboot. To disable this, open the settings app by clicking the Start menu and selecting the settings icon. Navigate to Accounts and then Sign-in options. Scroll down and toggle off the option that says Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in.
Step 10: Turn Off Notifications
Notifications can be distracting and consume system resources. To turn them off, go to the settings app and select System. Click on Notifications and toggle off notifications for apps that you no longer want to hear from. Additionally, uncheck the boxes for suggestions and tips to further reduce distractions.
Step 11: Disable Virtualization-Based Security
If you’re a gamer or need maximum performance, consider disabling Virtualization-Based Security (VBS). This feature can cause performance drops of up to 25%. To disable it, click the Start menu and type core isolation. Select it and turn off the VBS feature. While this can enhance performance, be aware that it may expose your system to certain risks.
Step 12: Turn Off Game Mode
For non-gamers, disabling Game Mode can increase system performance by shutting down background services related to gaming. To turn off Game Mode, open the settings app and select Gaming. Click on Game Mode and toggle it off. This will help free up resources that can be used by other applications.
Step 13: Rely on Built-In Windows Security
A lot of people think they require antivirus software to stay online. However Windows Security comes with Microsoft Defender. Is usually good enough. It gives protection without slowing down your system like some third party tools do. If you stick to browsing practices you can trust this integrated security option.
Step 14: Restart Your PC and Check for Updates
If your PC is running slow, a simple restart can sometimes resolve the issue. To restart, click the Start menu, select the power icon, and then choose Restart. Additionally, ensure your system is up to date. Go to the settings app, select Windows Update at the bottom of the left pane, and check for updates. Installing the latest updates can fix bugs that may be affecting performance.
FAQ: Common Questions About Speeding Up Windows 11
1. Does disabling visual effects really help?
Disabling effects can help release system resources and improve performance noticeably on hardware, in particular.
2. Will uninstalling programs improve speed?
Removing software that you no longer need can boost your devices performance by clearing up storage space and minimizing background tasks.
3. Is it safe to disable Game Mode?
If gaming is not your use, for the PC turning off Game Mode could improve how other applications perform on it.
4. How often should I check for updates?
Make sure to check for updates once a month to keep your system secure and running smoothly.
5. What if my computer is still slow after following these steps?
If your computer continues to run you might want to look into hardware problems like not having enough RAM or a failing hard drive that could need professional help.
