How to optimize Windows 11 for gaming and improve performance

Informatec Digital » Resources » How to optimize Windows 11 for gaming and improve performance

If you've upgraded to Windows 11 and noticed your games are performing worse than expected , you're not alone. The system is loaded with more features, effects, and security measures that, while useful, can consume a significant amount of resources and cause your FPS to plummet just when you least expect it.

The good news is that Windows 11 is quite customizable: with a combination of tweaks to power settings, graphics, security, notifications, and some app organization, you can achieve a very decent balance between performance, stability, and usability . In this guide, you'll see, step by step, all the important options for optimizing Windows 11 for gaming, blending official Microsoft advice with practical tricks used by advanced gamers.

Update Windows, drivers, and applications to get the most out of your hardware.

Before you start disabling things haphazardly, the first thing to do is make sure that Windows 11, your drivers, and your programs are up to date . Often, stuttering, crashes, and FPS drops are due to bugs that have already been fixed in later patches.

Open the Settings app ( Win + I shortcut ) and go to Windows Update . Click Check for updates and let the system download and install everything important. Then go to Advanced options > Optional updates and check for recommended drivers , especially for components like the chipset, network, or audio, which also affect gaming.

In addition to Windows, you should also update your graphics card drivers directly from their official software. For NVIDIA, this is GeForce Experience or the NVIDIA Control Panel; for AMD, it's the Adrenalin package; and Intel has its own tool, as recommended in the Windows software guide . These drivers typically include specific performance improvements for recent games , bug fixes, and optimizations for technologies like DLSS, FSR, and XeSS.

Don't forget about apps: open the Microsoft Store and check for pending updates, and in the programs you usually use (browsers, game launchers, voice clients, etc.) look for their automatic update options to avoid older versions that consume more resources or cause problems while you play.

Remove bloatware and programs you don't use

Windows 11 and many PC manufacturers come loaded with bloatware : trial applications, duplicate utilities, and services that don't add much but consume memory, CPU, and disk, even in the background.

To clean up, open Settings and go to Apps > Installed apps . From there, carefully review the list and uninstall anything you don't use : trial versions of office suites, third-party antivirus software if you're sticking with Windows Defender, manufacturer tools you don't need, messaging apps you don't use for gaming, etc.

If you don't see all the applications in this view, open the Start menu, search for Control Panel , and then go to Uninstall a program . This list is more traditional, but it usually shows everything installed on the system , including older software that has accumulated over the years.

Reducing bloatware not only frees up disk space; it also decreases the number of services that load in the background , leaving more room for your CPU, RAM, and SSD for what really matters: your games.

Control which applications start with Windows and which ones run in the background.

One of the most common reasons Windows 11 feels slow, especially when starting up, is having too many applications configured to run at startup . Many of these don't add anything while you're gaming and just get in the way. Also, check if features like Fast Startup are causing boot problems.

Press Control + Shift + Esc (or Control + Alt + Delete and choose Task Manager) to open Task Manager . In the left-hand pane, go to Startup apps . Here you'll see the programs that load when Windows starts, with a Startup Impact column indicating how much they slow things down.

Select the applications you don't need to open automatically at startup (chat clients you don't use, secondary game launchers, printer tools, various updaters, etc.) and click the Disable button . This doesn't uninstall them ; it simply prevents them from opening automatically at boot. You can open them manually when needed. If you encounter errors managing processes, see solutions to common Task Host errors.

In addition to startup settings, Windows lets you decide which apps can run in the background . In Settings > Apps > Installed apps, click on the app you want, go to Advanced options , and under Background app permissions , choose Never for anything resource-intensive that you don't need to be constantly running. Be careful with messaging apps, voice recorders, overlays, or software that you might need while gaming.

Activate Game Mode and adjust GPU preferences

Windows 11 includes a Game Mode inherited from Windows 10, designed to optimize the system when it detects you're playing a game: it reduces background tasks and prevents certain annoying interruptions. If you're looking for additional optimizations to maximize resource usage, you can check out guides on optimizing performance.

Go to Settings and then to the Gaming section . Tap on Game Mode and make sure the switch is turned on. This mode limits Windows Update activity while you're playing games (especially driver installations and forced restarts), reduces background processes, and prioritizes system resources for the game.

Continuing in Settings, under System > Display > Graphics, you can fine-tune even further. Windows displays a list of programs and games, allowing you to configure the graphics preferences for each . Select your game, click Options , and choose from the following:

• Let Windows decide (automatic mode, usually prioritizes saving when possible).
• Energy saving (uses the integrated or less powerful GPU).
• High performance (forces the use of the most powerful dedicated GPU).

For gaming, it's best to set the High Performance option to all the titles you're interested in. This ensures the game always uses the most powerful graphics card, without relying on automatic decisions that aren't always accurate, especially on laptops with integrated and dedicated GPUs.

Optimize windowed games and Auto HDR in Windows 11

If you usually play in windowed or borderless windowed mode , Windows 11 has a specific feature to improve latency and smoothness in these cases: windowed gaming optimizations , geared towards DirectX 10 and 11.

These optimizations change the way the game presents the image on screen, switching from the old (blt) model to the flip model , which reduces frame latency and allows you to take advantage of other modern technologies such as Auto HDR or variable refresh rate (VRR) if your monitor supports it.

To enable them, go to Settings > System > Display > Graphics > Change default graphics settings and turn on the Windowed gaming optimizations option . Then, restart the game to see the change.

If a game is experiencing issues with this feature (graphical errors, flickering, etc.), you can disable it for that specific game. Go back to System > Display > Graphics , select the game from the list, click Options , and check the box next to "Don't use optimizations for windowed games ." Here you'll also find the option to disable Auto HDR for each game if it's causing problems or if you prefer the classic SDR image. If you're experiencing stability issues, see also solutions for when Windows 11 freezes.

Adjust the power plan for maximum performance

The Windows power plan has a direct impact on how the CPU and GPU work. A balanced plan attempts to save energy by reducing performance when it deems it unnecessary , which can result in FPS drops if the system doesn't accurately detect the game's power requirements.

Open Control Panel (search in the Start menu) and go to Hardware and Sound > Power Options . If you only see the Balanced plan, expand the additional plans . Choose the High performance option so the processor maintains higher frequencies and reacts more quickly to load spikes.

On laptops, this setting will reduce battery life , so it's highly recommended to use it, especially when playing games while plugged in. In return, the system will be less aggressive in saving power, and performance will be more consistent.

On some modern computers and BIOSes, in addition to the Windows power plan, there may be manufacturer-specific power modes (performance mode, turbo mode, etc.) that also affect performance. Check your laptop or motherboard software and make sure it's set to a performance-oriented mode when you're going to play games.

Disable visual effects and minor aesthetic extras

Windows 11 places a strong emphasis on aesthetics: transparencies, animations, window opening effects, dynamic backgrounds… All of this gives it a modern look, but each detail consumes a bit of CPU and GPU , something that can be noticeable on computers with limited resources. To reduce these effects ( by disabling visual effects ), open the Control Panel, go to System and Security > System , and in the sidebar, click on Advanced system settings.

To reduce these effects, open the Control Panel, go to System and Security > System , and in the sidebar, click Advanced system settings . The System Properties window will open ; on the Advanced tab, click the Settings button in the Performance block.

In the Performance Options window , on the Visual Effects tab , select Adjust for best performance . This disables virtually all animations and effects, making the system look somewhat less polished visually, but freeing up resources that can be used for your games.

If you find it too abrupt, you can select Customize and enable only a few options you want to keep (for example, font edge smoothing) while disabling the rest. The goal is to minimize unnecessary embellishments when playing a game in full-screen mode.

Simplifying your wallpaper also helps . If you're using an image carousel or animated backgrounds from third-party software, switch to a simple static image or even a solid color . You won't gain dozens of FPS, but every little bit helps, especially on modest PCs.

Reduce notifications and telemetry functions

Windows and app notifications can ruin your fun right in the middle of a game, but they also mean constant extra work for the system : checks, synchronizations, and pop-up windows that steal attention and resources.

In Settings > System > Notifications , you can turn off the main switch to block all notifications during your gaming sessions, or you can go app by app and uncheck the ones you don't care about. The fewer notifications you have enabled, the fewer distractions and less background processing power.

On the other hand, Windows 11 has a number of data collection and diagnostic options that, while useful for Microsoft, also involve active processes. In Settings > Privacy & security , review sections such as General, Speech, Inking and typing personalization , or Diagnostics and feedback.

In these menus, you can disable activity history , online voice recognition if you don't use it, telemetry for apps you don't need, and personalized recommendations based on your habits. It won't double your FPS, but it does reduce background tasks and, incidentally, improves your privacy.

Since you're already in the customization section, take the opportunity to disable widgets on the lock screen or taskbar that you don't use, as well as app recommendations in the Start menu. They're nice extras, but unnecessary if you're looking for maximum gaming performance.

Disable VBS, Memory Integrity, and Virtual Machine Platform (only if you prioritize performance)

Windows 11 includes several built-in virtualization-based security features, such as Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) and Memory Integrity , which isolate critical processes and hinder certain attacks. The problem is that these technologies can negatively impact performance, especially in video games.

If you use your PC almost exclusively for gaming and you're careful about what you install, you might consider disabling these features to gain some FPS . However, you should be aware that it's a trade-off: more performance in exchange for reduced protection.

For Memory Integrity, open the Windows Security app (search for it in the Start menu). Go to Device Security and locate the Memory Integrity option . If it's enabled, you can disable it; the system will notify you that you need to restart your PC for the change to take effect.

To disable Virtual Machine Platform (VMP) , go to Control Panel and navigate to Programs > Programs and Features . In the sidebar, click Turn Windows features on or off (you will be prompted for administrator privileges). Locate the Virtual Machine Platform entry and uncheck the box.

Keep in mind that disabling VMP can affect virtual machines, subsystems like WSL2 , and other features that rely on virtualization. If you use the PC for development, testing, or working with VMs, carefully consider this before disabling it.

Keep processes, tasks, and users under control with Task Manager

Task Manager isn't just for killing unresponsive programs. When used correctly, it's a very useful tool for detecting bottlenecks and seeing what's consuming your resources while you're playing games.

In the Processes tab , you can sort by CPU, Memory, Disk, or GPU to see which applications are using the most resources. If you find any resource-intensive programs that aren't essential at the moment (a video editor open, a browser with 40 tabs, a file sync program running in the middle of a task, etc.), select them and click End Task to free up resources.

In the Performance section , you'll see real-time graphs of CPU, RAM, disk, and GPU usage. This helps you identify whether the main problem is insufficient memory, a CPU constantly running at 100%, or a full disk. With this information, you can make more informed decisions: close whatever is putting the most strain on the component that's maxed out , lower graphics settings, adjust virtual memory ( configuring virtual memory ), or consider upgrading your hardware.

The Startup Applications tab , which we've already seen, is key to preventing your system from starting with half a dozen unnecessary programs loaded from the very beginning. Remember that disabling an app here only prevents it from starting with Windows; it doesn't uninstall it or stop its current process.

As an extra tip, if you share your PC, check the Users tab . If other users have open sessions with programs running, that also consumes resources. Logging out inactive users or restarting your PC ensures that only your processes are active while you play.

Clean up files, desktop, and general system organization

A system overloaded with temporary files, old downloads, and digital junk is not only inconvenient; it can also affect the overall performance of Windows 11 , especially if the main disk is almost full.

Go to Settings > System > Storage and tap on Cleanup recommendations . Windows will analyze the Recycle Bin, temporary files, downloads, and some large folders to help you delete unnecessary files and see which ones are taking up space . Always try to maintain some free space on your SSD (ideally, more than 15-20%).

The Windows desktop also plays a role: if it's cluttered with files, shortcuts, and folders, the system has to load them all at startup. Clean it up, delete what you don't need, and group what you want to keep into a few folders. You can easily launch applications by searching for their names in the Start menu ; you don't need icons scattered everywhere.

Fewer items in the taskbar also help simplify things. In Settings > Personalization > Taskbar , disable buttons you don't use (widgets, chat, standalone search, etc.). These are small details, but a cleaner environment usually translates to fewer distractions and a better overall experience . If you need more in-depth customization, consult the taskbar guide.

Third-party tools to carefully optimize Windows 11

There are third-party programs that promise to "speed up" Windows with a single click. Many are intrusive, injecting advertising or modifying the registry without much care, so you need to be very careful. If you want to use one, always opt for reputable, open-source projects.

One example is Optimizer , an open-source tool (available on GitHub) that lets you disable unnecessary services, telemetry, Cortana, certain updates, and native Windows 11 apps from a single interface. It also includes options to optimize your network, adjust game mode, and remove unnecessary components.

The key with these types of programs is not to just randomly select everything. Review each option, decide what you really need, and if you're unsure, first create a system restore point or a backup . That way, if you don't like something, you can always revert to the previous state without any problems. If you prefer built-in Windows solutions, you can also use Windows Terminal commands to troubleshoot issues without aggressive tools.

Good hardware and configuration practices within games

Beyond Windows 11, there are a number of habits that make a difference when it comes to gaming. Often the problem isn't so much the system itself, but how we use the computer while playing.

Whenever possible, use wired peripherals : keyboard, mouse, and controllers. Wireless devices have improved significantly, but wired connections still offer the lowest latency and fewer interference issues , which is especially noticeable in competitive gaming.

The same applies to the network. Playing with your PC connected to the router via Ethernet cable is ideal, as it avoids the dropouts, micro-dropouts, and ping fluctuations typical of Wi-Fi. If running a cable is impractical, a set of powerline adapters (PLCs) can be a viable alternative, using your home's electrical wiring to carry the signal.

Within each game, check the graphics settings . Many titles detect your hardware and set a default quality level that is sometimes too high. Lowering shadows, ambient occlusion, draw distance, or post-processing effects often yields significant FPS gains with a manageable visual impact.

Finally, monitor your CPU and GPU temperatures using tools like HWMonitor, MSI Afterburner, or your graphics card's built-in software. If the processor or graphics card overheats, it activates protection mechanisms that reduce its frequency, resulting in performance drops. Keeping your PC dust-free, ensuring decent airflow, and maintaining good thermal paste is just as important as any Windows tweaking. If you're also upgrading your hard drive to an SSD, consider cloning Windows to the new SSD to avoid having to reinstall everything.

With this set of tweaks and best practices, it's possible to transform a "heavy" Windows 11 into a much more agile and gaming-focused environment. It won't magically turn a basic PC into a beast, but it can make the difference between a stuttering experience and a much smoother one , getting the most out of the hardware you already have without having to spend any money.