Compared to Windows 10, Microsoft has taken some measures in Windows 11 to optimize PC performance. However, that doesn’t mean that it can be better or faster. For example, with the following simple optimization tips. Following them can also ensure that your Windows 11 machine doesn’t slow down over time.

13 tips to make Windows 11 faster

First of all, a note: In this article, we refer to Windows 11 version 22H2 . If you are using an earlier version of Windows 11, some features may not be available or may look different.

1. Disable autostart

Programs that run in the background but are rarely or never used can slow down your PC. Preventing such applications from running at system startup can speed up your computer accordingly. To do this, first open the Windows Task Manager by:

• either enter the key combination Ctrl + Alt + Del or
• Start the Task Manager via the Windows search bar.

In the Task Manager, click on the menu item ” Autostart of apps ” on the right. You will now see a list of the programs and services that are initiated when Windows starts – including information about how the respective app affects the start process (this value only refers to the start process, not the ongoing Windows 11 operation). To prevent one of the listed programs or services from starting together with the system, simply right-click, select ” Disable ” and then restart the computer.

2. Use efficiency mode

You can use the Task Manager to initiate another trick to make Windows 11 faster. The ” Efficiency Mode ” introduced with Windows 11 22H2, which speeds up yourPCand can also optimize the battery life of your laptop. Among other measures, the efficiency mode in Windows 11 regulates, for example, the priority of processes and applications that run in the background. However, the term is somewhat misleading, because you cannot put your entire computer into efficiency mode – only individual applications and processes . The catch: This only works with certain.

Open the Task Manager (see above) and select ” Processes ” in the menu on the left. On the right you will now see a list of the applications and processes that are currently running. If you select one of the list entries, you have the option of activating efficiency mode in the top right of the Task Manager . If the button is grayed out, the function is not available for the selected app. Also worth knowing: In Windows 11, some applications work in efficiency mode by default without the option of deactivating it (such as Microsoft Edge ).

3. Use automated maintenance

Windows 11 continuously performs maintenance on yourPC, such as security scans and system diagnostics. This is to ensure that everything is up to date, any problems are automatically resolved and the device is running at optimal performance. You should therefore ensure that automatic maintenance by Windows is activated. If necessary, you can also start this function manually.

To do this, open the Control Panel and select System and Security -> Security and Maintenance . Here you will find the ” Automatic Maintenance ” section , including the option to start it manually.

4. Remove adware and bloatware

It may not be Windows 11 that is causing your PC to start slowly. Bloatware or adware may also be using excessive system resources. Software of this kind is often provided by the manufacturer of yourPCpreinstalled – and usually activated by default when the system starts.

To stop this, first run a system scan to remove adware andMalwareIf you already have a security suite installed, you can use it for this purpose. Otherwise, the Defender integrated in Windows 11 is recommended for this task . To start a scan, search for the app using the Windows search field. You can then play it safe with a second tool – for example, we recommend the free tool from Malwarebytes . Then it’s time to tackle the bloatware. Two tools are recommended for this:

• The free anti-blotware tool ” Bulk Crap Uninstaller ” and
• the website ” Should I Remove It? “.

The latter not only provides valuable tips on software installed on your system, but also offers various useful content to help you remove bloatware from the systems of various specific manufacturers .

5. Disable search indexing

Windows 11 Search performs a background indexing of hard drive data so that you can search your PC faster. However, the accelerated searches may result in a slowercalculatorbecause search indexing costs resources. This is especially true for systems that are already a bit on the weak side. For these systems, turning off search indexing can lead to a speed boost.

To do this, enter services.msc in the Windows search field and open the Services app . In the list, scroll down to the entry ” Windows Search ” and double-click on it. In the following window, you can stop the service and restart yourcalculatorAfter that, your searches may be a little slower, but you will hardly notice the difference. You should notice the increase in speed all the more.

Alternatively, you can disable indexing only for files in certain storage locations, while still indexing files and folders that you frequently search for. To do this, type ” index ” in the Windows search box , then open the Indexing Options app . Click the Change button and you’ll see a list of the storage locations that are indexed. To stop a specific storage port from being indexed, simply uncheck the box next to it.

6. Declutter your hard drive

A cluttered hard drive with files that are no longer needed can slow down your PC. Taking a few minutes to clean up your hard drive can result in an instant speed boost. All you need is the Windows 11 onboard tool ” Storage Optimizer .”

You can find this in the settings menu under System -> Storage . If you move the slider for storage optimization to the right, Windows 11 will continuously monitor your PC and automatically delete temporary or old files. You can adapt the way the tool works to your needs. You can also instruct storage optimization to delete files in your download folder or recycle bin after a certain period of time.

7. Disable shadows, animations and visual effects

On fast, newer PCs, Windows 11 ‘s visual effects usually don’t affect PC performance. On older, slower machines, things may be different. If your PC falls into the latter category, you’re usually better off disabling Windows 11’s visual treats.

To do this, enter sysdm.cpl in the Windows search box and start the Control Panel item of the same name. In the ” System Properties ” dialog box that opens, navigate to the ” Advanced ” tab . Then click the ” Properties ” button in the ” Performance ” section . You will now see the “Performance Options” dialog box with a long list of animations and special effects. Here you can experiment as you like. If you just want to purposefully remove the biggest performance eaters – these are usually the options:

• Animation when minimizing and maximizing windows;
• Taskbar animations;
• Show window shadows;
• Hide menu items after calling them;
• Show or hide menus in view;
• Show or hide tooltip in view;
• Animate controls and elements within windows.

The simplest solution: select the ” Automatically choose optimal settings ” option at the top of the dialog box. In this case, Windows 11 will automatically disable the effects that slow down your system.

8. Disable transparency

Another way to make Windows 11 faster: disable the transparency effects in the taskbar and other places. These cost a surprising amount of system performance. To do this, click through the settings menu via ” Personalization ” to ” Colors ” and move the slider for the transparency effects to Off.

9. Adjust energy settings

You can balance energy efficiency and performance with the power settings on your Windows 11 PC. If a power plan is enabled on your system, this will definitely lead to a loss of performance.

To prevent this from happening, go to Control Panel, then select ” Hardware and Sound ,” followed by ” Power Options .” Now choose the setting you want. For desktop users, there’s no reason to choose the “Power Saving” option – and even laptop users should consider the “Balanced” option.

10. Turn off Windows tips and tricks

Windows 11 constantly analyzes what you are doing on your PC and gives you tips at various points “to do even more.” However, these are rarely helpful – and it makes you feel bad when Windows is constantly looking over your shoulder. Much more importantly, however, this type of monitoring can also slow down your system.

To make Windows 11 keep the advice to itself, open the Settings menu and then select ” System ” and then ” Notifications “. Here, scroll all the way down to the ” Additional settings ” item and check the box ” Get tips and suggestions when using Windows “.

11. Disable game mode

The game mode integrated in Windows 11 is useful if you play games. As soon as the system detects one, it uses the system resources primarily for that – at the expense of all other applications and background processes. However, if you are not currently playing, or never play, the game mode can slow down your system because it keeps some system resources in reserve – and occasionally leads to stability problems.

Since Game Mode is enabled by default, you need to turn it off. To do this, go to ” Games ” in the settings menu, then ” Game Mode ” and move the slider accordingly.

12. Update drivers

Outdated drivers can significantly slow down your Windows 11 PC. To prevent this from happening, follow these steps:

• Open Windows Settings ( Windows key + I ).
• First select ” Windows Update ” in the menu on the left, then in the main window select ” Advanced options ” and then ” Optional updates “.
• In the driver update list you can now select the ones you want to download and install.

13. Restart Windows

Last but not least, a real secret weapon from IT departments around the world : If your computer is slow, restart it . This ensures that the RAM is cleaned up again and processes that are no longer needed are terminated.