Forum Discussion
How to speed up windows 11 and make it run faster?
My laptop was recently upgraded to Windows 11, but noticed that my computer runs slower than it used to be. There is a noticeable delay when opening the Start menu, and some applications take longer to launch than expected. I am looking for safe, effective ways to speed up Windows 11 and make the overall user interface feel more responsive for better performance.
Could anyone provide a checklist of the most impactful tweaks for a smoother experience? I'd also appreciate recommendations for any PC clean tool that I might be overlooking.
Thank you in advance for your help!
9 Replies
- carolineharperCopper Contributor
Start by checking startup apps and disabling anything you do not need, as this often causes slow boot and lag. Make sure Windows updates and drivers are fully installed, since missing drivers can affect performance. Reducing visual effects like animations and transparency can also help the system feel more responsive. Check available storage and keep enough free disk space, because low space can slow things down. If the laptop is still using an HDD, upgrading to an SSD usually makes the biggest difference in overall speed.
- EliasyuerIron Contributor
Windows 11 PC cleaner is a good and convenient way for speeding up your PC.
- AylaaninIron Contributor
HAGS is a Windows feature introduced to reduce latency and speed up Windows 11 by allowing the GPU to manage its own memory more efficiently. It offloads some scheduling tasks from the CPU to the GPU.
In some cases, disabling HAGS may speed up Windows 11, especially on systems where:
The GPU driver or hardware has issues with HAGS, causing stuttering or instability.
You are experiencing lower-than-expected performance or input lag in certain games or applications.However, in many situations, HAGS can provide a performance benefit, particularly if your GPU and driver support it well.
How to disable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling:
1. Open Settings > System > Display.
2. Click on Graphics.
3. Scroll down and select Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling.
4. Toggle Off.
5. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect. - CalahanReedIron Contributor
Disabling Memory Compression in Windows 11 can potentially speed up Windows 11 in certain scenarios, especially on systems with limited RAM or specific workloads. However, it may also lead to increased disk activity and reduced efficiency in managing memory.
Memory Compression is a feature in Windows that compresses unused or less frequently used pages in RAM to reduce the need to access the disk (paging). This helps speed up Windows 11 and overall performance by making better use of available RAM.
Pros of Disabling Memory Compression:
May reduce CPU overhead associated with compressing and decompressing memory pages.
Can free up CPU resources for other tasks in certain cases.
Might improve performance on very specific workloads or hardware configurations.How to Disable Memory Compression:
Disabling memory compression requires registry edits or command-line tools. Here’s a common method using PowerShell:
1. Open PowerShell as Administrator.
2. Run the following command to disable memory compression:Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management" -Name "Compression" -Value 0
3. Reboot your system.
Note: Always back up your registry before making changes, and be cautious as improper modifications can cause system instability. - BrantleyFrostIron Contributor
Disabling visual effects via the Registry can speed up Windows 11, especially on systems with limited hardware resources. By turning off animations, transparency, and other effects, you can make the interface feel more responsive and snappy. Here's how to speed up Windows 11:
How to Disable Visual Effects via Registry on Windows 11
Important: Before modifying the registry, it's a good idea to back it up:
* Open Registry Editor (Win + R, type regedit, press Enter).
* Click File > Export.
* Save a backup copy in case you need to restore.Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Open Registry Editor:
Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.2. Navigate to the Visual Effects Key:
Go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VisualEffects3. Modify or Create Values:
You may find various DWORD (32-bit) values controlling effects:
VisualFXSetting: Set it to 2 to disable most visual effects.
If VisualFXSetting doesn't exist:
Right-click on the right pane, choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name it VisualFXSetting.
Double-click it and set the value to 2.4. Apply Changes:
Close Registry Editor.
Log out and log back in, or restart your PC for changes to take effect. - FinchleyKnightIron Contributor
Using BleachBit is a good option for free system cleaning and can help improve and speed up Windows 11 performance by freeing up disk space and removing unnecessary files. Here's how it can help and how to use it effectively:
How BleachBit Can Help Speed Up Windows 11:
Removes junk files: Clears cache, temporary files, logs, and other unnecessary data that can clutter your disk.
Cleans browser cache: Frees up space taken by cached web data.
Deletes unnecessary system files: Removes leftover files from software installations, old logs, etc.
Reduces disk usage: Freeing up space can improve overall system responsiveness.How to Use BleachBit Safely:
1. Download and Install BleachBit.
2. Right-click BleachBit and select Run as administrator to give it full access for cleaning system files.
3. Select Cleaning Options Carefully:
You can choose to clean:
Cache
Temporary files
Internet cache
Old logs
Thumbnails
Unnecessary system files
Be cautious with some options like "Shred files" or "Secure delete" if you’re unsure.
4. Preview Before Cleaning:
Use the Preview button to see what will be deleted.
Confirm that no critical files or data are selected.
5. Clean:
Click Clean to start the process. - EastonFlintIron Contributor
Deleting large files and unused applications is a fundamental and highly effective method for speeding up Windows 11. It directly frees up storage space, which is critical for system performance, virtual memory (page file) operation, and update processes.
1. Find and Delete Large Files:
Go to Settings > System > Storage.
Click on "Show more categories". Windows will analyze your drive and show a breakdown by file type.
Click on the largest categories (like "Apps & features", "Temporary files", "Documents", "Videos").
Browse and safely delete unneeded items. Tip: In "Temporary files," you can safely select and clean "Delivery Optimization Files" and "Windows Update Cleanup."
2. Uninstall Unused Applications
Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Sort the list by "Size" (descending) to see the largest apps first.
Click the three dots (...) next to any app you don't use and select Uninstall. For traditional desktop apps, this will launch their native uninstaller.
This method delivers a double performance benefit. First, it immediately frees up gigabytes of storage, which is essential for maintaining healthy SSD performance and giving Windows ample room for critical operations. Second, it removes background processes, scheduled tasks, and startup entries that often accompany installed software, reducing system overhead.
By regularly auditing and removing large files and unused apps, you maintain a lean, fast, and responsive system. It's one of the most impactful to speed Windows 11 PC for gaming and make it run faster.
- ScarlettDavisBronze Contributor
Here are the 2 best ways to speed up Windows 11 and make it run faster:
Run Storage Cleanup & Disable Unnecessary Services
Over time, junk files, cache, and unnecessary services can slow down your PC.
- Use Disk Cleanup (search for it in Start menu) to remove temporary files.
- Open Storage Sense (Settings → System → Storage) and enable automatic cleanup.
- Disable non-essential services by typing “services.msc” in Run (Win + R), then turning off services like SysMain (SuperFetch) if you have an SSD, or other services you don’t need (be cautious).
Check for Malware & Update System & Drivers
Malware or outdated drivers can cause slowdowns.
- Run a scan with Windows Security (Windows Defender) or a trusted antivirus.
- Go to Settings → Windows Update and install the latest updates.
- Update drivers via Device Manager or your PC manufacturer’s update tool (especially graphics and chipset drivers).
Bonus tip: If you have an older PC with limited RAM, adding more RAM or upgrading to an SSD (if still using an HDD) will give the most significant performance boost. This will speed up Windows 11 permanently.
- RoninStormIron Contributor
Please adjust visual effects for speeding up windows 11 and let it run faster.
Windows 11 prioritizes a sleek, modern interface with animations, transparency, and shadow effects. While these make the system visually appealing, they consume significant graphics processing power (GPU) and system memory (RAM). By optimizing or disabling these effects, you can free up valuable resources, leading to a noticeably snappier and more responsive user experience, especially on older or lower-spec hardware. This adjustment trades visual flair for raw performance.
How to do it:
1. Search for “View advanced system settings” in the Start menu.
2. Under the Advanced tab, click Settings in the Performance section.
3. Select “Adjust for best performance” to disable all effects, or manually disable animations like transparency and fade effects.
4. Click Apply, then OK. You may be prompted for administrator confirmation.
5. Finally, click OK to close the "System Properties" window. The changes take effect immediately.
By adjusting or disabling Windows 11's visual effects, you directly reduce the load on your CPU and GPU, reallocating those resources to active applications and system processes. This method provides an instant way to speed up Windows 11 for gaming. It's one of the most effective software tweaks for revitalizing the feel of an aging computer.