7 Essential Tips to Boost Your Windows 11 Performance

Introduction​

In the fast-paced digital world we inhabit, efficiency is king. For the vast majority of users navigating the modern space of technology, Windows 11 has emerged as the operating system of choice, luring in users with its sleek design and user-centric features. However, even the best systems can occasionally stumble under the weight of hardware limitations, software bloat, or user settings that don’t serve their PC’s best interests. In this article, we delve into seven straightforward tricks that can energize your Windows 11 experience, ensuring you squeeze every ounce of performance from your machine.

1. Conduct a Health Check: The Foundation of Performance​

Picture this: you're cruising along in your favorite car but suddenly discover that the engine's check light has been flickering in the background. Ignoring these signs can lead to disaster. Similarly, before launching into a barrage of fixes, conducting a health check reveals how your hardware is performing and whether it can adequately support Windows 11's demands. To get started, the Windows PC Health Check app is your go-to tool. It's simple to download and can provide vital insights into your laptop’s storage capacity, CPU health, and battery performance. For newer machines with Windows 11 pre-installed, the health check may not seem necessary, but if you're grappling with sluggish performance on an older machine, this should be priority number one.

2. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs​

Nothing grates on a user’s nerves like waiting for a sluggish PC to boot up. A litany of programs fighting for the spotlight can slow down your startup considerably. Luckily, most Windows users are blissfully unaware that many programs add themselves to the startup list without user consent. To declutter and simplify your startup process, head to your Settings > Apps > Startup. There, you'll see a list of apps with indicators on their impact on performance. Toggling off those non-essential apps can significantly enhance your boot time, leaving you free to start your day without an agonizing wait.

3. Conduct Regular Antivirus Scans​

In an age where cybersecurity threats loom large and ever-evolving, protecting your system has never been more vital. Malware and viruses can cripple a computer, leading not just to slower processing speeds but also to data integrity violations. Regular antivirus scans keep your system clean and functioning smoothly. Ensure your antivirus software is reputable and consistently updated. Make it a habit to run scans periodically to detect and remove potential threats before they blossom into bigger issues that may compromise performance.

4. Uninstall Unwanted Applications​

We all fall victim to "app acquisition syndrome," downloading programs on a whim, only to forget about them shortly after. These forgotten applications can clutter your system and consume precious storage space, impacting performance. Navigating to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps provides a comprehensive view of your software inventory. Identify and remove the programs that have overstayed their welcome, alleviating unnecessary strain on your PC's resources.

5. Clear Out Temporary Files​

Temporary files, while essential for various operational purposes, can accumulate like dust bunnies under your couch—harmless at first but troublesome if left unattended. These files are created to ensure quick access to certain functions and stable system operations during crashes. However, over time, they can unwittingly hog storage capacity. Head to Settings > System > Storage, and then click on Temporary Files to wipe the slate clean. Keeping your system free from these unsightly digital debris not only frees up space but also promotes overall system efficiency.

6. Tweak Visual Effects for Performance​

Windows 11 is undoubtedly a beautiful operating system, adorned with slick animations and graphical flourishes. However, these features can be taxing on hardware, especially on older machines. Adjusting visual effects not only enhances performance but can make a significant difference for users relying on less robust hardware. Navigate to Settings, search for advanced system settings, and choose the performance tab. Here you can opt to disable visual effects entirely or customize them to reduce the load on your CPU, balancing between aesthetics and functionality.

7. Choose the High-Performance Power Plan​

When it comes to performance, the power plan settings often fly under the radar. Windows defaults to a Balanced power plan, which conserves energy but may throttle CPU performance during taxing tasks. Switching to a High-Performance plan is akin to uncapping a previously constrained hose—allowing your machine to deliver the power it needs when it needs it. However, be aware that this may lead to higher energy consumption and reduced component lifespan due to overheating, so it’s worth considering based on your usage needs.

The Takeaway: Small Changes, Big Impact​

In summary, improving performance on a Windows 11 machine doesn't require a tech guru's expertise or a complete overhaul of hardware. By executing these straightforward tweaks—conducting health checks, managing startup programs, maintaining system security through scans, uninstalling unnecessary applications, clearing temporary files, modifying visual effects, and switching to a high-performance power plan—users can unlock the true potential of Windows 11. A smoother, faster, and more responsive Windows experience awaits any willing to engage in these small yet impactful changes. As always, keeping your system healthy is a continual process; consider integrating these practices into your routine to maintain optimum performance over time. By grasping these strategies, Windows users can ensure their systems remain reliable workhorses or powerful gaming platforms, fully equipped to handle whatever demands are placed upon them. With just a few adjustments, each of us can enhance our digital lives, transforming mere functionality into extraordinary performance.

Recap: Key Tricks to Enhance Windows 11 Performance​

• Conduct a Health Check
• Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs
• Perform Regular Antivirus Scans
• Uninstall Unwanted Applications
• Clear Out Temporary Files
• Tweak Visual Effects for Performance
• Choose the High-Performance Power Plan

Embrace these tips, and you’ll not only enjoy a more fluid Windows 11 experience but also extend the longevity and reliability of your trusty machine.
Source: Pocket-lint https://www.pocket-lint.com/tricks-to-improve-windows-11-performance/

 

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In our fast-paced digital age, every second counts, especially when it comes to maximizing the performance of our computers. Windows 11, while visually stunning and packed with features, can sometimes feel bogged down by unnecessary bloatware and resource-heavy settings. If your Windows 11 PC isn't performing as snappy as you would like it to, fear not! Here’s a compact guide with eight practical steps that can help you fine-tune your system for optimal performance without sacrificing the more critical functionalities that you'd rather keep.

1. Use High Performance Power Mode​

One of the simplest yet most effective adjustments you can make is switching your power mode from the default Balanced to High Performance. By doing this, you keep your CPU cores active, which can lead to better responsiveness and a smoother experience during heavy tasks. Whether you're running demanding applications or gaming, this tweak can provide noticeable gains in performance.
How to Change:

• Open the Settings app.
• Navigate to System > Power & battery.
• Select High performance from the Power mode dropdown menu.

2. Check Your Computer for Viruses​

A clean system is crucial for maintaining optimal performance. Viruses or unwanted applications can disguise themselves on your system, consuming resources. Running an antivirus scan not only helps in keeping your data secure, but it can also clean out the clutter that could be slowing you down. Microsoft Defender is built-in and effective, but you might also consider alternative tools like MalwareBytes for a thorough check-up.

3. Disable Search Indexing​

Windows search indexing can significantly utilize system resources, especially if you're not an avid searcher of files. If you often find yourself not using the search feature, consider disabling it to free up resources. This might slightly hinder your search experience, but it can lead to noticeable performance improvements.
How to Disable:

• Open Settings > Privacy & security > Searching Windows.
• Click Customize search locations and uncheck the boxes next to the locations you don’t want indexed.

4. Increase Page File Size​

For users with limited physical RAM (like 4GB or even 8GB), increasing your paging file size could offer a lifeline. The paging file acts as virtual memory, allowing Windows to use a part of your hard drive as if it were additional RAM. Customizing this can help when your system's RAM is maxed out.
How to Adjust:

• Open Settings > System > About.
• Click on Advanced system settings > Performance > Settings > Advanced > Change under Virtual Memory.
• Uncheck “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives” and set a custom size.

5. Limit Bandwidth for Windows Updates​

Windows Updates can hog bandwidth, particularly during downloads. To speed up your internet connection while avoiding unexpected lag, you can limit the bandwidth used by Windows Update. This is especially helpful if you’re working on a slow internet connection.
To Limit Bandwidth:

• Go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization.
• Enable the checkbox for limiting background bandwidth usage and set an appropriate percentage.

6. Disable Startup Tasks​

Many applications add themselves to start up with Windows, dragging your boot time into the slow lane. Disabling unnecessary startup programs can lead to quicker boot times and overall better system responsiveness.
How to Manage:

• Right-click on the taskbar and select Task Manager.
• Navigate to the Startup tab.
• Review the list and click Disable on any applications you deem unnecessary at startup.

7. Enable or Disable Efficiency Mode in Task Manager​

Efficiency Mode is a feature in Windows 11's Task Manager that can reduce CPU usage for background apps. While this is generally beneficial for overall system performance, it could slow down certain applications that you want to run smoothly.
How to Check:

• Open Task Manager.
• Right-click on any task and see if Efficiency Mode is enabled. If an important app is affected, consider disabling this mode for that application.

8. Remove Windows 11 Junk with Win11Debloat​

For a more drastic cleanse, the Win11Debloat tool can help remove unnecessary bloatware and additional clutter from your system. This PowerShell script will uninstall preinstalled apps and turn off services that you might not need.
Getting Started:

• Download the script from its GitHub - Raphire/Win11Debloat: A simple, easy to use PowerShell script to remove pre-installed apps from Windows, disable telemetry, remove Bing from Windows search as well as perform various other changes to declutter and improve your Windows experience. This script works for both Windows 10 and Windows 11..
• Follow the instructions provided to execute the script and enjoy a cleaner, more responsive Windows 11 experience.

Conclusion​

Remember, these tweaks can help enhance your Windows 11 performance, pushing it closer to the swift and responsive beast you always hoped it would be. Of course, if push comes to shove, a complete system reset or hardware upgrade can provide the turbo boost your setup may need, but often these minor adjustments will work wonders. So roll up your sleeves and dive in—your faster PC awaits!
Source: XDA 8 ways to fine-tune Windows 11 for optimal performance without the bloat