How to speed up Windows 11: Top 10 ways

Onur Demirkol
Aug 14, 2023
Windows 11 Help, Windows tips
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9

After many updates and enhancements, Windows 11 got to a point where more people started to upgrade their systems. However, some of them are facing speed issues. Today, we will show you how to speed up Windows 11 using 10 different ways!

How to speed up Windows 11

When activated by default, a number of Windows options and functions can significantly reduce your PC's performance. If you want to know how to speed up Windows 11, keep reading our guide because we will give you some of the easiest yet effective ways to improve your experience!

How to speed up Windows 11
How to speed up Windows 11

Power Settings

Let's kick things off by tweaking your power settings. Windows 11 offers a selection of power plans tailored to your needs. Choose a power plan that suits your usage, with options ranging from power-saving to high-performance modes. With this small but mighty change, you'll notice an instant boost in your PC's responsiveness.

Changing the power settings is our first way to help you show how to speed up Windows 11. If your PC uses very little power, it might be good for your electric bill, but you will miss a lot when it comes to performance. This is exclusively for laptop users as they are the ones facing the energy issue more. Here is how to change your power settings:

  1. Right-click the battery icon at the bottom right of our screen.
  2. Click "Power and Sleep settings."
  3. Scroll down until you see "Power Mode."
  4. Select Best Performance.

Hidden Windows 11 feature will make navigating easier


Startup apps

We've all been there – waiting impatiently as our computer takes its sweet time to start up. There are some applications that run whenever you turn your PC on. It's time to take charge and get rid of any of the startup apps we don't need. Here is how to get rid of startup apps:

  1. Press Win+I on your keyboard to open Settings.
  2. Select "Apps" on the left-hand menu.
  3. Scroll down until you see "Startup."
  4. Find the apps you don't need and toggle them off one by one.

You can also use the task manager to get rid of startup apps, and to do that, follow the steps below:

  1. Right-click on your taskbar.
  2. Click "Task Manager."
  3. Go to the Startup section on the left side of the Task Manager window.
  4. Click "Status" to see which are enabled.
  5. Click on the ones that you want to disable and hit the Disable button at the top.
How to speed up Windows 11
Windows 11

Cleanup Disk

Over time, your system accumulates junk files that can drag down its performance. Fear not, because Windows 11 comes with a built-in cleanup tool. Just search for "Disk Cleanup" in the Start menu, select your main drive, and let the tool work its magic. Deleting temporary files, system cache, and unnecessary downloads will clear up space and help your PC breathe easily.

Close unnecessary apps

Having too many applications open simultaneously can slow things down considerably. Take a moment to close apps you're not actively using. You'll free up memory and processing power for the tasks that matter most, ensuring a smoother experience.

How to speed up Windows 11
Windows 11

Close system tray apps

That little corner of your screen harbors a world of background processes, many of which you might not even need. Right-click on the system tray icons and close any unnecessary apps. This will lighten the load on your system, allowing it to operate more efficiently.


Microsoft accidentally leaks Windows 11's Staging Tool


Turn off visual effects

Windows 11 boasts eye-catching visuals, but they can tax your system's performance. By disabling or reducing some of these effects, like animations and transparency, you can give your PC a speed boost without sacrificing too much aesthetic appeal. If you want to know how to speed up Windows 11, you need to follow these steps closely because they will help your PC a lot:

  1. Press the Windows button on your keyboard.
  2. Type "Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows."
  3. You can click "Adjust for best performance" or select the ones you want to deactivate.
  4. Click OK after you are done.
How to speed up Windows 11
How to speed up Windows 11

Efficiency Mode

Windows 11 offers an Efficiency mode that optimizes your system for performance. It is intended to manage program priority and battery efficiency better. But in addition to longer battery life, effective resource management always results in faster computer performance. The resources saved by lowering the priority of applications and processes are directed to other areas where they are more urgently needed.

  1. Right-click on your taskbar.
  2. Go to Task Manager.
  3. Right-click on the apps you want to run in efficiency mode.
  4. Click Efficiency Mode.

Windows 11 KB5029263: What's new


Disable Background apps

Another technique to prevent programs from using your computer of resources is to prevent them from operating in the background. Background programs use up memory on your PC even when they are prioritized and optimized.

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Click Apps on the left-hand menu.
  3. Click Installed Apps.
  4. Click the three-dot icon of the app you want to disable.
  5. Select Advanced Options.
  6. Scroll down until you see "Background apps permissions."
  7. Set "Let this app run in the background" to "Never."
How to speed up Windows 11
How to speed up Windows 11

Update Windows

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to ensure a smooth experience is by keeping your Windows 11 up to date. Regular updates patch security vulnerabilities, fix bugs, and improve performance. Go to "Settings," click on "Windows Update," and make sure your system is set to receive updates automatically.


Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23521 brings new options to the Snipping Tool, Never Combined Mode for Taskbar


Disable Notifications

Notifications are great, but they can be distracting and impact your PC's speed.

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Select "System" from the left-hand menu.
  3. Click Notifications.
  4. Hit Additional Settings.
  5. Uncheck "Get tips and suggestions when using Windows."
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Comments

  1. John G. said on August 21, 2023 at 2:38 pm
    Reply

    There is not still W11 23H2 and these instructions are nonsense by now. :[

    1. James said on August 21, 2023 at 8:48 pm
      Reply

      It worked for me just fine. You’re probably not following the instructions clearly.

      1. Katrina Thompson said on August 30, 2023 at 3:25 am
        Reply

        Just tried the password option and the OOBE option and didnt work.

    2. Anonymous said on September 7, 2023 at 10:33 am
      Reply

      Worked perfectly. Thank OP.

    3. Anonymous said on September 15, 2023 at 11:26 am
      Reply

      Worked perfectly for me just now. Specifically, the regedit option.

  2. 45 RPM said on August 22, 2023 at 9:02 am
    Reply

    Is this cut and paste from a Microsoft PR paper, because it 1000% BS:

    “By listening to user insights, Microsoft has demonstrated its commitment to refining the Windows experience based on real-world needs.”

    Windows 11 is proof they don’t give a s*it.

    1. elong45 said on August 23, 2023 at 12:25 am
      Reply

      Worked for me just now

    2. Robert N said on August 28, 2023 at 10:55 pm
      Reply

      I agree! Windows 11 was a downgrade to me and I kept all 8 computers in our family on Windows 10 as a result. They didn’t listen to any customers. The taskbar was THE main reason I stayed away from Windows 11. With 6 monitors, it is impossible to navigate so many browser tabs, without the feature. I will try the new version in the virtual box to see if it is worth it yet.

  3. Anonymous said on August 23, 2023 at 11:33 pm
    Reply

    Microsoft did a terrible job with this implementation.

    They simply need to employ the creator of StartAllBack to fix Windows. He is smarter and more talented than the entire campus of Microsoft employees.

    1. Anonymous said on September 4, 2023 at 11:36 pm
      Reply

      lol

  4. Joe Mama said on August 24, 2023 at 12:10 am
    Reply

    Thank you so much! I work in IT and this is extremely useful information!

  5. Anonymous said on August 27, 2023 at 9:34 pm
    Reply

    Thanks man. The second method worked great!

  6. Anonymous said on August 28, 2023 at 1:16 pm
    Reply

    I used the second method, and i got exactly what i expected.

  7. adrian said on September 1, 2023 at 12:52 am
    Reply

    Using the Bypass 2: Use a banned email address email worked fantastically as I had gone to far to use the bypass 1.
    I will be back when I next have a problem.
    Keep you the great work

  8. John G. said on September 4, 2023 at 6:15 pm
    Reply

    W11 File Explorer is the worst crap ever done. W11 is the biggest shame ever.

  9. MarineRecon said on September 4, 2023 at 9:14 pm
    Reply

    Just one more reason for me to go to Linux when Windows 10 ages out.

    1. TelV said on September 19, 2023 at 11:46 am
      Reply

      @ MarineRecon,

      Be careful which Linux distro you choose. Some of them don’t include the Wayland protocol which is a security issue i.e. apps can copy, paste and inject data without user interaction.

      It’s included in Fedora: https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora/latest/system-administrators-guide/Wayland/

  10. Dustyn said on September 4, 2023 at 9:28 pm
    Reply

    How about a DARK MODE for your website? That would be oh so nice.

    1. Tom Hawack said on September 5, 2023 at 12:55 am
      Reply

      Something like this : [https://img.justpaste.me/image/8617] maybe?
      Done with ‘Dark Reader Extension for ? Firefox’ [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/darkreader/]

      This comment was written on [https://www.ghacks.net/windows-11-installation-has-failed-how-to-fix-this-upgrade-error/#comment-4573155}

    2. TelV said on September 19, 2023 at 11:49 am
      Reply

      Definitely NOT! Once you get older and your eyesight starts to fail you’ll positively loathe dark mode.

      1. Mycroft1325 said on September 25, 2023 at 11:48 pm
        Reply

        Not sure what eye problems *you’re* having, but for me the exact opposite is true. Dark Mode is MUCH easier on my Eyes.

        BTW- I’m 52, and have worked in IT all my life. Been staring at monitors for hours each day, most days of the week since the late 1980’s.

  11. Anonymous said on September 5, 2023 at 2:05 am
    Reply

    Microsoft completely ruined File Explorer by converting to XAML/WinUI/whatever new bloated modern garbage. Its worse than it ever was.

  12. Invoker said on September 5, 2023 at 3:32 pm
    Reply

    i tested it on win10 current edition. speeds up explorer like a charm

  13. LOEL LARZELERE said on September 13, 2023 at 8:07 am
    Reply

    SO what is the priority numbers to give preference to ethernet over wireless?

  14. christop_bader said on September 14, 2023 at 1:50 am
    Reply

    Worked very well happy to have Windows Photo Viewer back in action in Windows-11

  15. Anonymous said on September 16, 2023 at 4:29 am
    Reply

    Worked for me (registry option) thank god, I can use the search option to find things on my computer again. Thank you so much!

    1. TelV said on September 19, 2023 at 11:54 am
      Reply

      Install Everything Search and dispense with Microsoft’s crappy search tool. https://www.voidtools.com/

      Martin wrote an article on it: https://www.ghacks.net/2020/10/09/add-everything-search-to-the-windows-taskbar-for-even-faster-searches/

  16. said on September 17, 2023 at 6:39 pm
    Reply

    I presume the text “WindowsCopilot,,” is a typographical error (2023/09/17/how-to-disable-windows-copilot-in-windows/). The broken comment system unfortunately looks like it is populating itself via AI autopilot.

  17. Anonymous said on September 17, 2023 at 10:37 pm
    Reply

    Hopefully, this Windows Copilot nonsense fails even more spectacularly than Cortana. Who requested this? We want all of the UX features removed back in 11, not this copilot nonsense.

  18. Anonymous said on September 17, 2023 at 10:51 pm
    Reply

    I really don’t mind all of these Windows enhancement but Microsoft get one thing very wrong. ‘Opt in’, is far better than seek information and work to disable.

  19. ilev said on September 18, 2023 at 7:13 am
    Reply

    Turn off Windows Copilot entirely is not good enough.

    How to uninstall Copilot entirely ?

    1. TelV said on September 19, 2023 at 11:57 am
      Reply

      @ ilev,

      Use Gpedit or the registry. Explained in this article: https://www.ghacks.net/2023/09/17/how-to-disable-windows-copilot-in-windows/

  20. WilliamGatesTheight said on September 21, 2023 at 2:13 pm
    Reply

    With that snake oil salesman Panos gone, hopefully Windows can return to a normal desktop operating system without all the insanity it has right now in Windows 11.

  21. Tachy said on September 21, 2023 at 3:19 pm
    Reply

    Can we please stop being ‘politically correct’ (lying) and call them ads again instead of ‘suggestions’?

  22. TelV said on September 25, 2023 at 4:05 pm
    Reply

    @ Martin,

    Does your gpedit hack also turn off all the other “subscribed content” shown in the registry screenshot? Do you happen to know what all those are?

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