Windows 11 introduces many new features and improvements, but even with advanced optimizations, users may still experience performance issues from time to time. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to improve Windows 11 performance and keep your system running smoothly. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to improve the performance of your Windows 11 PC.
1. Update Windows regularly
Keep your system up to date
One of the easiest ways to maintain optimal performance is to keep your Windows 11 installation up to date. Microsoft regularly releases updates with performance improvements, security patches, and bug fixes. To check for updates, go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Install these updates to fix performance issues and improve system stability.
2. Optimize your startup program
Manage startup applications
Having too many programs launching automatically when your computer boots can slow down your system. To optimize startup performance, you can manage which applications launch at startup. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to the Startup tab and disable all unnecessary programs. This will reduce the load on the system during startup and can significantly improve boot time.
3. Adjust visual effects
Custom performance settings
Windows 11 includes a variety of visual effects that can affect performance, especially on older or less powerful hardware. To improve performance, you can adjust or disable some of these effects. Go to Settings > System > About and click Advanced system settings. In the Performance section, click Settings and select Adjust for best performance. This option disables many visual effects, such as animations and shadows, which can free up system resources.
4. Free up disk space
Free up storage space
A cluttered hard drive can slow down your computer. Regularly clearing disk space can improve performance. Use the built-in disk cleanup utility to delete temporary files, system cache, and other unnecessary files. To open Disk Cleanup, type “disk cleanup” into the search bar, select the drive you want to clean, and follow the prompts. Also consider using Storage Sense, a feature in Windows 11 that automatically cleans up unnecessary files and manages storage.
5. Defragment and optimize your drive
Improve drive performance
For traditional HDDs, defragmentation helps improve access times and overall performance. To defragment your drive, go to Settings > System > Storage and click Optimize drive under Advanced storage settings. Select your hard drive and click Optimize. If you have an SSD, you don’t need to defragment it, but you can still run an optimization tool to make sure it’s running smoothly.
6. Adjust power settings
Optimize your power plan
Windows 11 offers several power plans that affect performance. To ensure your computer is running at its best, choose a powerful power plan. Go to Settings > System > Power & battery and select ‘Best performance’ under ‘Power mode’. This setting ensures that your PC runs optimally, especially when running resource-intensive applications.
7. Disable unnecessary background processes
Manage background applications
Manage many apps run in the background and consume system resources even when you are not using them. To improve performance, you can manage and disable unnecessary background applications. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Background apps and close apps that do not need to run in the background. This reduces the load on your CPU and RAM, which improves performance.
8. Check for malware and adware
Scan for threats
Malware and adware can significantly impact system performance. Scan your computer for malware using Windows Defender or a reputable third-party antivirus program. To run a scan with Windows Defender, go to Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security, click Virus & threat protection, and then select Quick scan or Full scan. Regular scans will keep your system clean and running smoothly.
9. Upgrade your hardware
Improved physics components
If you’re still experiencing performance issues after trying software-based solutions, it may be time to consider a hardware upgrade. Upgrading components like RAM, SSD, and even graphics cards can improve performance.
Will affect your system performance.
11. Manage browser extensions and tabs
Optimize browser performance
If you use a web browser frequently, you should manage extensions and tabs, as they take up a lot of system resources. Disable or remove unnecessary extensions and close unused tabs to improve overall performance. Most modern browsers also have a built-in task manager that lets you monitor and manage resource usage across different extensions and tabs.
12. Refresh or reset your computer
reboot
If all else fails, you may need to reboot to restore your computer’s performance. Windows 11 offers the ability to refresh or reset your PC. To do this, go to Settings > System > Recovery and select Reset this PC. You can keep your files or remove everything to start fresh. This process reinstalls Windows 11 and can resolve persistent performance issues caused by corrupted or misconfigured software.
Finally
Improving the performance of your Windows 11 PC requires a combination of regular maintenance, system optimization, and hardware management. By following these tips, you can improve the speed and responsiveness of your system, ensuring a smoother, more efficient computing experience. Whether you’re dealing with slow startup, sluggish performance, or other issues, these strategies will help you get the most out of your Windows 11 installation.