Windows 11 is designed with a modern look, advanced features, and improved performance compared to its predecessors. However, depending on your system’s hardware configuration, you may want to tweak performance settings for the best experience. Some users prefer prioritizing visual appeal, while others want maximum speed and responsiveness. Thankfully, Windows 11 provides flexible performance settings that can be adjusted to match your needs.
This guide will walk you through how to change performance settings on Windows 11, covering system performance options, graphics performance, battery optimization, startup settings, and more. By the end, you’ll know how to make your Windows 11 PC run smoother, faster, and according to your preference.
Why Change Performance Settings on Windows 11?
Before diving into the methods, let’s quickly understand why performance settings matter:
- Improved Speed – Disabling unnecessary animations and background apps can make your PC feel faster.
- Better Battery Life – On laptops, adjusting performance modes can extend battery runtime.
- Optimized Gaming & Workloads – Allocating high performance to certain apps or games improves overall responsiveness.
- Customization – You can fine-tune your PC for a balance between visuals and performance.
Methods to Change Performance Settings on Windows 11
Windows 11 offers multiple ways to adjust performance settings. Let’s go through them step by step.
Accessing Windows Performance Options
The primary location for performance settings in Windows 11 is through the System Properties dialog. Here’s how to access it:
- Right-click on This PC or My Computer on your desktop
- Select Properties from the context menu
- In the System window that opens, click on Advanced system settings on the right side
- Alternatively, press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog
- Type sysdm.cpl and press Enter
- Click on the Advanced tab in the System Properties window
- Under the Performance section, click the Settings button
This opens the Performance Options dialog, which is your main hub for adjusting visual effects, virtual memory, and data execution prevention settings.
Configuring Visual Effects for Optimal Performance
Visual effects significantly impact system performance, especially on older or less powerful hardware. Windows 11 provides several preset options and custom configuration capabilities:
Using Preset Performance Options
- In the Performance Options dialog, navigate to the Visual Effects tab
- You’ll see four radio button options:
- Let Windows choose what’s best for my computer: Windows automatically balances performance and appearance based on your hardware
- Adjust for best appearance: Enables all visual effects for the best visual experience but may slow performance
- Adjust for best performance: Disables most visual effects to maximize speed and responsiveness
- Custom: Allows you to manually select which visual effects to enable or disable
Customizing Individual Visual Effects
For maximum control, select the Custom option and manually configure each setting:
- Animate controls and elements inside windows: Controls animation of buttons, menus, and interface elements
- Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing: Enables smooth transitions when windows change size
- Enable Peek: Allows preview of windows when hovering over taskbar items
- Fade or slide menus into view: Creates smooth menu appearance animations
- Fade or slide ToolTips into view: Animates tooltip appearance
- Fade out menu items after clicking: Creates fade effect when selecting menu items
- Save taskbar thumbnail previews: Maintains thumbnail images of running applications
- Show shadows under mouse pointer: Displays shadow effect beneath cursor
- Show shadows under windows: Creates drop shadow effects for all windows
- Show thumbnails instead of icons: Displays file preview thumbnails in folders
- Show translucent selection rectangle: Creates semi-transparent selection boxes
- Show window contents while dragging: Displays window content during drag operations
- Slide open combo boxes: Animates dropdown menu opening
- Smooth edges of screen fonts: Applies font smoothing for better text readability
- Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop: Adds shadow effects to desktop icon text
For maximum performance on slower systems, disable most or all of these effects. For modern systems where performance isn’t critical, you can enable effects that enhance usability without significantly impacting speed.
Adjusting Processor Scheduling
Windows 11 allows you to prioritize how your processor allocates resources between programs and background services:
- In the Performance Options dialog, click on the Advanced tab
- Under Processor scheduling, you’ll find two options:
- Programs: Allocates more processor time to foreground applications, improving responsiveness for active programs
- Background services: Distributes processor time more evenly between foreground and background processes
For most desktop users, select Programs to ensure better responsiveness when using applications. Choose Background services if your computer primarily runs server applications or background tasks.
Configuring Virtual Memory Settings
Virtual memory uses hard drive space as additional RAM when your physical memory is full. Proper configuration can prevent system slowdowns:
- In the Performance Options Advanced tab, click Change under Virtual Memory
- Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives if you want manual control
- Select your system drive (usually C:) from the drive list
- Choose from three options:
- Custom size: Manually set initial and maximum paging file sizes
- System managed size: Let Windows automatically manage the paging file
- No paging file: Disable virtual memory for the selected drive (not recommended for system drives)
Setting Custom Virtual Memory Size
For custom configuration:
- Set the Initial size to 1.5 times your RAM amount (in MB)
- Set the Maximum size to 3 times your RAM amount (in MB)
- For example, with 8GB RAM: Initial size = 12288 MB, Maximum size = 24576 MB
- Click Set to apply changes
- Click OK and restart your computer when prompted
Accessing Advanced Performance Settings
Windows 11 provides additional performance options through various system interfaces:
Power Options Configuration
- Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I
- Navigate to System → Power & battery
- Click on Power mode dropdown
- Select from:
- Best power efficiency: Prioritizes battery life over performance
- Balanced: Balances performance and power consumption
- Best performance: Maximizes system performance regardless of power usage
Game Mode Optimization
For gaming performance:
- Open Settings → Gaming
- Click on Game Mode in the left sidebar
- Toggle Game Mode to On
- This prioritizes system resources for games and reduces background activity during gameplay
Storage Optimization
- Open Settings → System → Storage
- Click on Advanced storage settings
- Select Storage optimization
- Configure Storage Sense to automatically clean temporary files
- Enable Optimize Drives for automatic defragmentation scheduling
Managing Background Apps
Controlling which applications run in the background can significantly improve performance:
- Open Settings → Apps
- Click on Startup to manage programs that launch at system startup
- Toggle off applications you don’t need immediately at startup
- Go to Privacy & security → Background apps
- Review and disable unnecessary background applications
- Under Let apps run in the background, toggle off apps that don’t require background operation
Performance Monitoring and Troubleshooting
Using Task Manager for Performance Analysis
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
- Click on the Performance tab to monitor:
- CPU usage and core utilization
- Memory consumption and available RAM
- Disk activity and transfer speeds
- Network utilization
- GPU performance (if applicable)
Resource Monitor Access
- In Task Manager Performance tab, click Open Resource Monitor
- Monitor detailed resource usage across four categories:
- Overview: Summary of all resource usage
- CPU: Process-specific processor utilization
- Memory: RAM usage and allocation details
- Disk: File system activity and disk performance
- Network: Connection details and bandwidth usage
Graphics Performance Settings
For systems with multiple graphics processors:
- Open Settings → System → Display
- Click on Graphics under Related settings
- Select applications and assign them to specific graphics processors:
- Let Windows decide: Automatic graphics processor selection
- Power saving: Use integrated graphics for better battery life
- High performance: Use dedicated graphics card for maximum performance
Regular Maintenance for Optimal Performance
Disk Cleanup and Optimization
- Type Disk Cleanup in the Start menu search
- Select your system drive and run the cleanup utility
- Check all categories of files to remove
- Click Clean up system files for additional cleanup options
- Use Optimize Drives utility monthly for mechanical hard drives
Windows Update Management
- Open Settings → Windows Update
- Ensure your system receives regular updates for performance improvements and security patches
- Configure Advanced options to control update timing and installation preferences
Registry Maintenance
While Windows 11 generally manages the registry automatically, you can use built-in tools for maintenance:
- Run System File Checker by opening Command Prompt as Administrator
- Type sfc /scannow to scan and repair system files
- Use DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth for deeper system repair
Tips for Maintaining Windows 11 Performance
- Keep storage at least 20% free.
- Use an SSD for faster performance.
- Run Disk Cleanup regularly.
- Defragment HDDs (not SSDs).
- Scan for malware using Windows Security.
Final Thoughts
Changing performance settings in Windows 11 allows you to control how your system prioritizes speed, visuals, and efficiency. Whether you want smoother gameplay, longer battery life, or a faster everyday experience, the methods above will help.
By adjusting visual effects, power plans, startup programs, and graphics performance, you can tailor your PC to run exactly how you need. For advanced users, tweaking virtual memory and processor scheduling further optimizes system behavior.
Ultimately, the right settings depend on your hardware and usage. Experiment with the different options until you find the perfect balance between performance and usability.
FAQs on Windows 11 Performance Settings
Q1. How do I maximize performance in Windows 11 for gaming?
Enable Game Mode, set Graphics performance to High performance, and use the Best performance power plan.
Q2. Will disabling visual effects speed up my PC?
Yes, it reduces CPU/GPU load, especially on older or less powerful systems.
Q3. Should I adjust virtual memory manually?
If you have low RAM (4–8 GB), setting a custom paging file can help. For high RAM systems, Windows’ default management is fine.
Q4. Can I improve battery life with performance settings?
Yes. Set Power mode to Best power efficiency and disable unnecessary background apps.
