Windows 11 is inherently designed to excel at gaming, offering a robust experience right from the installation. However, the operating system comes equipped with numerous settings and optimizations that can enhance gaming performance even further. If you’re eager to maximize your gaming experience on Windows 11, consider applying the suggestions outlined in this comprehensive guide.
1. Manage Startup Applications
While most startup applications do not significantly affect gaming, resource-intensive programs can hinder performance. To ensure that your system runs optimally during gameplay, it’s wise to disable unnecessary startup apps.
To do this, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Navigate to the Startup apps tab, right-click on apps you want to disable, and select Disable.
Disabling unnecessary applications can noticeably improve your system’s responsiveness.
2. Close Resource-Heavy Applications
Certain applications may consume excessive CPU and memory, which can detract from your gaming experience. Before you dive into a gaming session, it’s best to close these resource-hungry apps.
Open Task Manager once again and sort the Processes list by CPU or Memory usage to identify problem applications. Right-click on those that are unnecessary and select End Task.
Repeat this process to ensure that your PC allocates more resources toward your game.
3. Turn Off Visual Effects
Windows typically emphasizes visual aesthetics, but these effects can consume valuable hardware resources. Microsoft recommends disabling them for optimal performance during gaming. Here’s how to do it:
Type “performance” in the Windows search bar to access Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows. Choose the Adjust for best performance option to forgo visual effects without hampering performance.
If you find the display too unappealing, you can selectively enable effects tied to shadows and fonts, which have minimal performance impact.
4. Activate the Ultimate Performance Power Plan
For the most demanding gaming experiences, consider switching to the Ultimate Performance power plan. This setting keeps your PC running at full power to prevent lag and stutter.
Note, however, that this plan is most effective for gaming sessions where consistent frame rates are necessary. You can enable it via Command Prompt by entering the following command:
powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61
Then, in Windows Search, type “power plan” to find Choose a power plan. Select Ultimate Performance, ensuring it’s checked under Show additional plans if not immediately visible.
Keep in mind that this setting consumes more power and can lead to increased fan noise and heat. Activate it only during gaming sessions to manage resource use effectively.
5. Keep Graphics Drivers Updated
Your graphics driver plays a critical role in gaming performance. Unfortunately, Windows may not always provide the latest updates automatically. To maintain peak performance, manually check and install the most recent drivers or use your GPU manufacturer’s software for automatic updates. Explore our guides on updating Nvidia and AMD drivers for more detailed instructions.
6. Enable Game Mode
Game Mode has been part of Windows since version 10 and continues to be beneficial in Windows 11. This feature optimizes your system to ensure smooth gameplay. Activating Game Mode can improve performance and frame rates during gaming sessions.
To enable it, navigate to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode.
Simply toggle [Game Mode] to the ‘On’ position.
7. Set a Dedicated GPU for Your Games
Many gaming laptops come equipped with dual GPUs—a less powerful integrated GPU and a dedicated graphics card. Although your laptop should automatically engage the dedicated GPU during gaming, it can fail to do so. To ensure that all your games utilize the dedicated GPU, follow these steps:
Go to System > Display > Graphics in Windows Settings. Click on Add desktop app to include your game’s executable file.
Once added, set the game to use High Performance in the GPU preference. Repeat this for all of your games to maximize GPU utilization.
8. Activate Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling
Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling shifts scheduling tasks from the CPU to a dedicated GPU processor. This adjustment can alleviate some computational burdens on your CPU and help provide faster input responses and lower latency during gaming.
To enable this option, navigate to System > Display > Graphics in Windows Settings and toggle on Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling within Advanced Graphics settings.
9. Exclude Game Directories from Microsoft Defender Scans
By default, Microsoft Defender scans files as they are accessed, adding extra workload to the CPU. This scanning can result in slower loading times and sporadic stutters when games fetch new textures or assets.
If you’re confident in your game’s safety, consider excluding its directory from Defender’s scans. Search for “security” in Windows Search and open the Windows Security app. Navigate to Virus & threat protection > Manage settings and select Add or remove exclusions to designate the necessary folders.
10. Turn Off Fullscreen Optimizations
Windows tries to optimize games in full-screen mode to benefit from both windowed and full-screen features. However, these optimizations can impair performance compared to running the game in a true full-screen mode. If you don’t utilize overlays or need to access other applications, consider disabling fullscreen optimizations. Right-click on the game’s executable file, select Properties, and navigate to the Compatibility tab to enable Disable fullscreen optimizations.
While these simple tweaks can provide a noticeable performance boost, more advanced strategies also exist—such as modifying the Windows registry or disabling unnecessary services. For laptop gamers, dedicated tweaks can lead to even greater improvements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Windows 11 Superior to Windows 10 for Gaming?
In terms of gaming performance, Windows 11 offers slight advantages, including features from Xbox like AutoHDR and DirectStorage that enhance graphical fidelity and loading times.
Are There Additional Ways to Optimize Windows 11 for Gaming?
Indeed, there are numerous methods to further enhance your gaming experience on Windows 11. For users with NVIDIA GPUs, the “NVIDIA Control Panel” has settings that can be adjusted to boost performance. Right-click on your desktop and select “Show more options” > “NVIDIA Control Panel” to access these settings.
How Do I Enable AutoHDR on Windows 11?
AutoHDR is a cutting-edge feature added to Windows 11 that enhances game visuals by producing more vibrant colors. However, it is not enabled by default. To activate it, navigate to “Settings” > “System” > “Display” and select HDR. First, toggle on “Use HDR, ” and then scroll down to enable “AutoHDR.”
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