Alex Ruben
Ultimate Guide to Optimize Windows 11 for Gaming: Boost FPS and Reduce Input Lag
If you’re looking to maximize your gaming experience on Windows 11, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through essential tweaks and settings that will help you achieve higher frames per second (FPS), lower latency, and an overall smoother gaming performance. Whether you play casually or competitively, these optimizations will unlock the full potential of your gaming rig.
Before we dive into the steps, ensure you have a fresh installation of Windows 11 (version 24H2) and take note of any applications you no longer need, as we will be removing unnecessary background services and applications throughout this process. Additionally, we will be utilizing some tools, so have your links ready for access.
Step 1: Access Windows Settings
Begin by opening the Windows Settings. Right-click on the Windows icon in the taskbar and select Settings. Here, navigate to Privacy & security, where you’ll find various permissions and app settings.
Step 2: Disable Unnecessary Permissions
In the Privacy & security section, you will see multiple permissions that can impact performance. Click on General and disable all listed permissions. Next, click on Speech and turn off online speech recognition if you don’t use it. Also, disable features under Inking & typing personalization and Diagnostics & feedback, specifically optional diagnostic data.
Step 3: Manage App Permissions
Scroll down to App permissions. Here, disable permissions for services like location, camera, and microphone if they are not in use. Review installed applications in the Apps section and uninstall any that you don’t need, focusing especially on Microsoft OneDrive and any third-party applications.
Step 4: Optimize Startup Programs
To ensure faster boot times and better performance, manage your startup programs. In the Startup section, disable any unnecessary third-party applications that automatically load on startup.
Step 5: Adjust Graphics Settings
Next, enhance your graphics settings. Go to Personalization and then to Colors. Disable the transparency effects to improve performance slightly. Additionally, set your display to Performance mode if you haven’t already done so.
Step 6: Utilize Game Mode
Enable Game Mode to optimize your PC for gaming. Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and toggle it on. Game Mode prioritizes gaming resources, reducing background processes and improving overall performance.
Step 7: Disable Hyper-V
If you don’t need virtualization for running virtual machines, consider disabling Hyper-V as it can consume resources. Search for “Windows Features” in the start menu, uncheck Hyper-V, and click OK to save changes.
Step 8: Disable Core Isolation
Core Isolation can enhance security but may impact FPS. Navigate to Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Device security. Look for Core isolation and disable Memory Integrity.
Step 9: Enable Ultimate Performance Power Plan
To maximize your system’s performance, enable the Ultimate Performance Power Plan. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and enter the following command:
powercfg -setactive scheme_ultimate
After running the command, you can check your power settings to confirm the Ultimate Performance plan is active.
Step 10: Clear Temporary Files
Free up space and potentially improve performance by clearing temporary files. Open the Run dialog by pressing Windows + R, type %temp%, and hit Enter. Select all files with Ctrl + A and permanently delete them using Shift + Delete.
Step 11: Remove Bloatware
To further optimize your system, consider removing bloatware using a script. Download the Windows 11 Debloat tool. Follow the instructions in the tool to remove unnecessary applications and services.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
When performing these optimizations, always ensure that you back up important data. Additionally, if you encounter any performance issues, revisit the settings to ensure no critical features were inadvertently disabled.
Be aware that some users may experience issues with security features after disabling settings like Core Isolation. If performance is still lacking, consider upgrading hardware components such as RAM or the graphics card.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you should see a marked improvement in your Windows 11 gaming performance. Each adjustment, from disabling unnecessary services to enabling Game Mode, contributes to a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience. For more tips on optimizing your gaming setup, consider checking out other guides in our series.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I need to enable any of the disabled features later?
You can always revisit the Settings app to re-enable any features or permissions that you find necessary after testing your performance.
Will these changes affect my everyday computer usage?
Yes, some changes may affect how certain applications function, particularly those that rely on specific permissions. Monitor your applications closely after making these adjustments.
How can I revert all changes if needed?
You can restore your system to a previous restore point before the changes were made, or manually re-enable any settings you disabled during the optimization process.