How to Optimize Windows 11 for Performance

Update Your System and Drivers

Keep your system up-to-date with the latest Windows 11 updates and hardware drivers. This not only ensures your PC runs smoothly but also provides improved security and compatibility with the latest software.

To check for updates:

• Press the ‘Windows’ key + ‘I’ to open Settings.
• Navigate to ‘Windows Update’ and click on ‘Check for updates.’

Adjust Power Settings

Adjusting your PC’s power settings can help optimize Windows 11 for better performance.

• Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘System’ > ‘Power & sleep.’
  Click on ‘Additional power settings
• Select ‘High performance’ or create a custom plan to optimize your PC for maximum performance.

Optimize Startup Programs

Having too many startup programs can slow down your PC’s boot time. To manage and disable unnecessary startup programs:

• Right-click on the taskbar and select ‘Task Manager.’
• Go to the ‘Startup’ tab.
• Identify and disable any unnecessary programs that run on startup by right-clicking and selecting ‘Disable.’

Clean Up Your Disk

Regularly cleaning up your hard drive can help improve your PC’s performance by removing temporary files, system files, and other unnecessary data.

• Type ‘Disk Cleanup’ in the search bar and select the app.
• Choose the drive you want to clean and click ‘OK.’
• Select the file types you wish to delete and click ‘OK’ again.

Optimize Virtual Memory

Adjusting the virtual memory settings can improve your PC’s performance, especially if you have limited RAM.

• Right-click on ‘This PC’ and select ‘Properties.’
• Click on ‘Advanced system settings’ and go to the ‘Advanced’ tab.
• Under ‘Performance,’ click on ‘Settings,’ then go to the ‘Advanced’ tab.
• Click on ‘Change’ under ‘Virtual memory.’
• Uncheck ‘Automatically manage paging file size for all drives’ and set a custom size for your virtual memory.

Disable Visual Effects

Windows 11 comes with various visual effects that may impact your system’s performance. To disable or adjust these effects:

• Right-click on ‘This PC’ and select ‘Properties.’
• Click on ‘Advanced system settings’ and go to the ‘Advanced’ tab.
• Under ‘Performance,’ click on ‘Settings.’
• Choose ‘Adjust for best performance’ to disable all visual effects or select ‘Custom’ to pick and choose specific effects to disable.

Keep Your PC Clean from Malware

Malware can significantly slow down your computer. Make sure you have reliable antivirus software installed and regularly scan your system for malware.

• Run Windows Security by typing ‘Windows Security’ in the search bar and selecting the app.
• Click on ‘Virus & threat protection.’
• Run a ‘Quick scan’ or ‘Full scan’ to check for malware.
• In some cases, really bad malware like rootkits and other advanced malware can evade detection by standard Anti-Virus software. If you suspect your system is still infected, we recommend letting professional security experts help you.

Defragment and Optimize Drives

Defragmenting and optimizing your drives can help improve your PC’s performance.

• Type ‘Defragment and Optimize Drives’ in the search bar and select the app.
• Choose the drive you want to optimize and click ‘Optimize.’

Uninstall Unnecessary Apps and Programs

Removing unnecessary apps and programs frees up storage space and system resources.

• Press the ‘Windows’ key + ‘I’ to open Settings.
  Go to ‘Apps’ > ‘ Apps & features.’
• Browse through the list of installed apps and programs.
• Click on any unwanted apps or programs and select ‘Uninstall’ to remove them from your system.
• Uninstall what is known as “Bloatware”. This is the preinstalled software that is unnecessary. We’ve created a PowerShell Script to aid in this process. Click to see the Windows 11 Bloatware Removal page.

Adjust Windows 11 Privacy Settings

Disabling some data collection and background services can help improve your PC’s performance.

• Press the ‘Windows’ key + ‘I’ to open Settings.
• Navigate to ‘Privacy & security.’
• Review each section and disable any settings that you feel are unnecessary or may impact your system’s performance.

Disable Background Apps

Limiting the number of background apps can free up system resources and improve performance.

• Press the ‘Windows’ key + ‘I’ to open Settings.
• Go to ‘Privacy & security’ > ‘Background apps.’
• Toggle off any apps that you don’t need running in the background.