8 Effective Tips to Boost Windows 11 Performance

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 repository.
• 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