Boost Your Windows 11 Speed: Expert Tips to Reduce RAM and CPU Usage

Experiencing sluggish performance on your Windows 11 system can be frustrating, especially when applications lag, the system stutters, and fans operate at high speeds. Fortunately, you don't need to invest in expensive hardware upgrades to restore your PC's speed and responsiveness. By implementing a series of strategic adjustments, you can optimize your system's performance, effectively reducing RAM and CPU usage. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to enhance your Windows 11 experience.

Close Unnecessary Background Applications​

Background applications can consume significant system resources, leading to decreased performance. To identify and terminate these resource-intensive processes:

• Open Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch Task Manager.
• Identify Resource-Heavy Applications: In the "Processes" tab, click on the "Memory" or "CPU" column to sort applications by resource usage.
• End Unnecessary Tasks: Right-click on any application that you are not actively using and select "End task" to close it.

By regularly monitoring and managing background applications, you can free up valuable system resources, resulting in a more responsive system.

Manage Startup Programs​

Applications that automatically launch during startup can prolong boot times and consume resources unnecessarily. To manage these startup programs:

• Access Startup Settings:
• Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
• Navigate to the "Startup" tab.
• Disable Unnecessary Programs: Right-click on applications that you do not need to start automatically and select "Disable".

Reducing the number of startup programs can significantly improve boot times and overall system performance.

Adjust Power Settings for Optimal Performance​

Windows 11 offers various power plans that balance performance and energy consumption. To maximize performance:

• Open Power Options:
• Press Windows + X and select "Power Options".
• Select High-Performance Plan:
• Click on "Additional power settings".
• Choose the "High performance" plan.

This setting prioritizes performance over energy savings, making it ideal for tasks that require maximum system responsiveness.

Update Device Drivers​

Outdated or incompatible drivers can lead to system inefficiencies and performance issues. To ensure all drivers are up to date:

• Open Device Manager:
• Press Windows + X and select "Device Manager".
• Update Drivers:
• Expand each device category.
• Right-click on a device and select "Update driver".
• Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software".

Regularly updating drivers ensures compatibility and optimal performance of hardware components.

Perform a Full System Scan for Malware​

Malware and viruses can significantly degrade system performance by consuming resources and causing system instability. To perform a comprehensive scan:

• Open Windows Security:
• Press Windows + I to open Settings.
• Navigate to "Privacy & Security" > "Windows Security".
• Initiate Full Scan:
• Click on "Virus & threat protection".
• Select "Scan options" and choose "Full scan".
• Click "Scan now" to begin the process.

Regular scans help maintain system integrity and performance by identifying and removing malicious software.

Clean Temporary Files​

Accumulated temporary files can occupy valuable disk space and slow down system operations. To remove these files:

• Use Disk Cleanup:
• Press Windows + S, type "Disk Cleanup", and select the utility.
• Choose the drive to clean (typically C:) and click "OK".
• Select file types to delete, such as "Temporary files" and "Recycle Bin".
• Click "OK" to proceed with the cleanup.

Regularly cleaning temporary files helps maintain optimal disk performance and frees up storage space.

Adjust Virtual Memory Settings​

Virtual memory acts as an extension of physical RAM, allowing the system to handle larger workloads. To optimize virtual memory:

• Access System Properties:
• Press Windows + S, type "Advanced system settings", and select it.
• Configure Virtual Memory:
• Under the "Advanced" tab, click "Settings" in the "Performance" section.
• Navigate to the "Advanced" tab and click "Change" under "Virtual memory".
• Uncheck "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives".
• Select the drive containing the paging file, choose "Custom size", and set the initial and maximum size (typically 1.5 to 2 times the amount of physical RAM).
• Click "Set", then "OK" to apply the changes.

Properly configured virtual memory can enhance system stability and performance, especially when running memory-intensive applications.

Disable Unnecessary Visual Effects​

Windows 11 includes various visual effects that, while aesthetically pleasing, can consume system resources. To disable these effects:

• Open Performance Options:
• Press Windows + S, type "Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows", and select it.
• Adjust for Best Performance:
• In the "Visual Effects" tab, select "Adjust for best performance".
• Alternatively, choose "Custom" and deselect specific effects you wish to disable.
• Click "Apply" and "OK" to confirm the changes.

Disabling unnecessary visual effects can lead to a more responsive system, particularly on older hardware.

Manage Background Apps​

Some applications continue to run in the background, consuming resources even when not in active use. To prevent this:

• Access Background Apps Settings:
• Press Windows + I to open Settings.
• Navigate to "Apps" > "Installed apps".
• Disable Background Permissions:
• Click on the three dots next to the app you want to manage and select "Advanced options".
• Under "Background apps permissions", choose "Never".

By controlling which apps can run in the background, you can conserve system resources and improve performance.

Utilize Storage Sense​

Storage Sense is a built-in feature that automatically frees up space by deleting unnecessary files. To enable and configure it:

• Open Storage Settings:
• Press Windows + I to open Settings.
• Go to "System" > "Storage".
• Enable Storage Sense:
• Toggle "Storage Sense" to "On".
• Click on "Configure Storage Sense or run it now" to customize settings, such as frequency and types of files to delete.

Regular use of Storage Sense helps maintain optimal storage performance and prevents the accumulation of unnecessary files.

Disable SysMain (Superfetch) Service​

The SysMain service (formerly known as Superfetch) preloads frequently used applications into memory to speed up access. However, on some systems, it can lead to high CPU usage. To disable it:

• Open Services:
• Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
• Disable SysMain:
• Scroll down to "SysMain", right-click it, and select "Properties".
• Set the "Startup type" to "Disabled".
• Click "Stop" to halt the service, then "Apply" and "OK" to confirm.

Disabling SysMain can reduce CPU usage and improve performance, especially on systems with limited resources.

Regularly Restart Your PC​

Restarting your computer clears temporary files and resets system processes, which can resolve performance issues. Make it a habit to restart your PC periodically to maintain optimal performance.
By implementing these strategies, you can effectively reduce RAM and CPU usage on your Windows 11 system, leading to a faster and more responsive computing experience. Regular maintenance and mindful management of system resources are key to sustaining optimal performance over time.

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Source: Analytics Insight Windows 11 Running Slow? Here’s How to Cut RAM & CPU Usage