How to Optimize Windows 11 Performance: Speed Up Your PC

What Happens When You Optimize 🪟 Windows 11?

System optimization cleans up the operating system (the core software that runs your PC) by removing unneeded files and stopping unneeded programs from running. The result is a PC that starts faster and runs apps more smoothly. Nothing here is a single magic fix. Each step recovers a little disk space, memory or processor time, and together they add up.

The services section carries the most risk, so leave it until last.

Section 1: Cleaning Up Your System

1Disk Cleanup: Remove Temporary Files

To clear temporary files in Windows 11, use Cleanup recommendations in Settings. Microsoft is steering people toward it and away from the older Disk Cleanup app, which is still available. Temporary files are leftovers that Windows and your apps create and rarely clean up on their own.

Freeing up drive space reduces the amount of data Windows has to sort through. It also gives Windows room for temporary and swap files. A drive with breathing room handles daily operations noticeably better than one that is nearly full.

To optimize Windows 11 for performance by freeing disk space, clear temporary files from Cleanup recommendations.

1. Open Settings. Press Win+I for a shortcut.
2. Click System.
3. Click Storage. Windows takes a moment to calculate what is using your drive.
4. Click Cleanup recommendations. Windows lists groups of files it can remove.
5. Open Temporary files. A list of file types appears, with the size of each.
6. Tick the file types you want to remove. Read each description first, and leave Downloads unticked if it is listed, because that folder holds your own files.
7. Click Clean up. Confirm if Windows asks you to.

That’s it. The temporary files are gone, and the free space shows on the Storage page. A restart is not needed. Check the list before you confirm, because you cannot restore what you remove.

To run Disk Cleanup in Windows 11, search for the Disk Cleanup app in the Start menu, select your main drive, check the boxes next to the temporary files you want to remove, and click OK. This built-in tool finds cached web data, old installation files and error reports. Removing them can give back several gigabytes of storage, which leaves your system more room for active tasks.

These steps clear the same kind of junk through the older app, and they add an option for system files.

1. Search for Disk Cleanup in the Windows search bar🔍. Select the app from the results.
2. Choose the drive to clean when Windows asks. This is usually your C: drive. Click OK.
3. Wait while Disk Cleanup scans the drive. When it finishes, you see a list of file types you can delete, with the space each one would free.
4. Check the boxes next to the files you want to remove. Common choices are Temporary Internet Files, Downloaded Program Files, Recycle Bin🗑️ and Temporary files. Read each description before you tick it.
5. Click Clean up system files for a deeper cleanup. Windows scans again, asks for the drive once more, and then shows extra options such as old Windows update🔃 files. You need administrator rights for this step.
6. Click OK, then click Delete Files. This confirms the cleanup.

That’s it. The window closes and the space is available straight away. A restart is not needed.

Anything you delete here, including the Recycle Bin contents, cannot be recovered afterward, so check the list before you confirm.

2Uninstall Unused Programs

To uninstall unused programs in Windows 11, open Settings, go to Apps, and select Installed apps to find and remove software you no longer use. Removing unwanted apps reclaims disk space. It also stops background processes from using your memory while you work, so the machine feels quicker.

Unwanted software often leaves background processes, startup entries and scheduled tasks behind. Removing it frees storage immediately, and fewer apps compete for hardware resources.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Installed apps. On some builds this item is labelled Apps and Features. You can also go to Settings › Apps › Installed apps.
2. Scroll through the list of installed apps. Use the sort option to put the largest apps first if you want the biggest savings.
3. Click the three dots at the end of the row for a program you no longer need.
4. Select Uninstall. Confirm, then follow any instructions on the screen.

That’s it. The program disappears from the list when the uninstall finishes, and its disk space is free again.

Some uninstallers ask you to restart. Do that before you remove another program, since pending changes can cause errors.

3Empty the Recycle Bin

To empty the Recycle Bin in Windows 11, right-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and select Empty Recycle Bin. Deleted documents and media stay in a hidden folder until you clear the bin, so they keep using space on your drive. Emptying it gives your system more room for current operations, new data and better overall performance. For instance, uninstalling a large game that used 50GB only gives that 50GB back once the Recycle Bin no longer holds the game’s deleted files.

What happens when done? The space used by deleted files is freed up on your drive.

Files removed from the Recycle Bin cannot be restored, so look through the contents before you start.

1. Find the Recycle Bin🗑️ icon on your desktop. If it is missing, go to Settings › Personalization › Themes › Desktop icon settings, and tick Recycle Bin🗑️.
2. Right-click the Recycle Bin🗑️ icon.
3. Select Empty Recycle Bin🗑️ from the menu. On Windows 11 you may need to click Show more options first to see the classic menu, although this entry is usually in the first menu.
4. Click Yes if Windows asks you to confirm.

That’s it. The icon changes to an empty bin, and the space shows as free on your drive.

Section 2: Managing Startup Programs

4Control Startup Apps

To control startup apps in Windows 11, go to Settings › Apps › Startup and turn off programs you do not want opening automatically when you sign in. Limiting these startup apps speeds up boot, and the change can improve boot times by up to 30% on older machines. It also leaves more memory and processor time for the apps you actually use. Reclaiming those resources helps active programs run without unexpected stuttering.

What happens when done? Your PC will boot faster, and more RAM and CPU power will be available for the programs you want to use.

Many readers prefer the Settings route, so it comes first. Task Manager shows the same list if you want it.

1. Open Settings. Press Win+I for a shortcut.
2. Click Apps.
3. Click Startup. Windows lists each app with an on/off switch and an impact rating. The Sort by menu can put the highest-impact apps first.
4. Turn off the switch for each app you do not need at sign-in. The switch reads Off once the change applies.

You should now have a shorter startup list. The change takes effect the next time you sign in or restart. The apps are not uninstalled, so turn a switch back to On to undo it.

To use Task Manager instead, follow these steps.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Task Manager📊. You can also press Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
2. Click the Startup apps tab on the left side. If you only see a small window, click More details first.
3. Read through the list of applications that start with Windows. The Startup impact column shows which ones slow the boot most.
4. Click an application you do not need at sign-in.
5. Click the Disable button at the top right. Repeat for each program you want to stop.

You should now see Disabled in the status for each app you changed. The change takes effect the next time you sign in or restart. The program is not uninstalled, so you can click Enable on the same screen to undo it.

Section 3: Optimizing Storage

5Free Up Space with Storage Sense

To use Storage Sense in Windows 11, open Settings, go to System, click Storage, and turn on the Storage Sense switch to automate your drive maintenance. Storage Sense is a built-in tool that clears temporary files and aging data on a schedule. That stops the drive filling to capacity and helps your computer stay fast. It is available in both Home and Pro editions.

What happens when done? Your PC will keep more free disk space with little effort from you, which helps maintain consistent performance.

These steps turn on automatic cleanup so the drive does not fill up again.

1. Open Settings by pressing Win+I.
2. Click System.
3. Click Storage.
4. Turn Storage Sense to On. On some builds the switch sits under Storage management.
5. Click Storage Sense to open its settings.
6. Choose how often it runs, for example daily or weekly.
7. Choose when it deletes files from your Recycle Bin🗑️ and from your Downloads folder. Files in Downloads are deleted automatically once they are older than the period you pick, so leave it on Never if you keep important files there.

You should now have Storage Sense running on the schedule you chose. To undo the whole feature, turn the switch back to Off. No restart is needed.

6Move Large Files to Another Drive or Cloud Storage

To move large files to another drive or cloud storage in Windows 11, open File Explorer, right-click your large videos or games, and cut and paste them to an external drive or cloud folder. Keeping your primary drive at least 15% free prevents Windows 11 from struggling under heavy workloads. That headroom lets the operating system manage its virtual memory swap files efficiently, which speeds up daily operations.

What happens when done? Your main drive will have more free space, which improves how well the system works overall.

Move only personal files this way. Installed games and apps can break if you move their folders by hand.

1. Open File Explorer📁 by pressing Win+E.
2. Go to the large files you want to move. Videos, game libraries and old backups are the usual culprits.
3. Right-click the file or folder and select Cut. You can also select it and press Ctrl+X.
4. Open the destination. This can be another drive, an external drive, or a cloud sync folder such as OneDrive.
5. Right-click an empty area in the destination folder and select Paste. You can also press Ctrl+V.

You should now see the files in their new location and more free space on your main drive. Check that the files open fine there before you consider the job done.

For installed games and apps, use the app’s own move option, or the Move button in Installed apps for apps that offer it. Also note that a cloud sync folder may keep a local copy of each file unless you set it to online-only.

Section 4: Visual Effects and Performance Settings

7Adjust Visual Effects for Performance

To adjust visual effects in Windows 11, search for “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows” in the Start menu, then choose “Adjust for best performance” on the Visual Effects tab. Windows spends noticeable processing power rendering translucent menus, fading windows and smooth animations. Turning these off sends that processing power to real software tasks instead, which helps most on older computers.

What happens when done? Your Windows interface might look less fancy, but it will feel faster and more responsive.

These steps switch off the animations and transparency that cost processing power.

1. Search for View advanced system settings in the Windows search bar🔍 and select it. The System Properties window opens on the Advanced tab.
2. Click the Settings… button under Performance.
3. Select Adjust for best performance on the Visual Effects tab of Performance Options. This turns off most visual effects.
4. To keep some effects, select Custom and untick the ones you want off. Turning off Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing and Fade or slide menus into view is a good start. Keeping Smooth edges of screen fonts avoids jagged text.
5. Click Apply, then click OK.

You should now see a plainer, snappier interface. The screen may flicker for a moment as the effects change, and you do not need to restart.

To go back, reopen the same window and choose Let Windows choose what’s best for my computer.

8Enable Game Mode

To enable Game Mode in Windows 11, open Settings, go to Gaming, click Game Mode, and turn the switch on. Game Mode gives your game priority by limiting background tasks and some automatic update activity. The hardware focuses on the game, which can improve frame rates and reduce stutter. Without it, Windows can spend resources on background maintenance while you play.

What happens when done? Games will run more smoothly with fewer interruptions, and your PC will give more resources to your gaming.

1. Open Settings by pressing Win+I.
2. Click Gaming.
3. Click Game Mode.
4. Turn Game Mode to On.

You should now see the switch reading On. Game Mode is on by default in most current Windows 11 installs, so you may find it already enabled.

The gain varies by game and hardware. It is usually modest, and a few older titles behave worse with it on. If one does, switch it off and compare.

Section 5: Updates and Drivers

9Keep Windows Updated

To keep Windows 11 updated, open Settings, go to Windows Update, and click Check for updates to install the latest patches. Microsoft regularly releases updates that include performance improvements, bug fixes and security enhancements. These fix software conflicts that cause lag, and regular updates also prevent the subtle bugs that slow a PC down over time.

What happens when done? Your PC will be more stable, more secure, and possibly faster thanks to the improvements included.

1. Open Settings by pressing Win+I.
2. Click Windows Update🔃.
3. Click Check for updates🔃. Windows searches for available updates.
4. Wait for any updates to download and install. You may need to restart your🔄 PC to finish the installation, so save your work before you click Restart now.

That’s it. When nothing is left to install, the page shows that you are up to date.

If you see Advanced options, you can open Optional updates there. Driver updates sometimes appear in that list. Install them only if you have a specific problem to fix. On a work PC, an administrator may control updates, so some options can be missing or greyed out.

10Update Your Drivers

To update your drivers in Windows 11, open Device Manager (the Windows tool that lists your hardware), right-click your hardware device, and select Update driver to install the latest software. Drivers are the link between physical hardware and Windows. Current ones keep your components communicating correctly and running with fewer errors. You may see noticeable speed gains during graphics-heavy tasks like video editing or gaming.

For Graphics Drivers (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel): These steps install the newest graphics driver straight from the maker.

1. Open the website of your graphics card maker (NVIDIA, AMD or Intel).
2. Open the support or driver download section.
3. Find your graphics card model and choose Windows 11 as the operating system.
4. Download the⬇️ latest driver.
5. Run the downloaded installer and follow the instructions on the screen. A clean installation is often recommended, so look for the Custom or Clean install option in the installer.

You should now have the newest graphics driver installed. Your screen may go black or flicker briefly during installation. This is normal. Restart if the installer asks you to.

For Other Drivers (Device Manager): These steps let Windows look for a newer driver for any other device.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Expand a category, such as Display adapters or Network adapters.
3. Right-click a specific device and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers. Windows tries to find and install the💿 best available driver.

That’s it. Windows installs any driver it finds, or tells you the best one is already installed. That message only means it found nothing newer in its own catalog. If Windows cannot find a newer driver, visit the hardware maker’s website for your motherboard or the specific part.

If a new driver causes problems, you can go back. Right-click the device, choose Properties, open the Driver tab, and click Roll Back Driver. That button is greyed out if there is no earlier driver to return to.

Section 6: Advanced Optimization Techniques

11Defragment and Optimize Drives

To defragment and optimize drives in Windows 11, search for the Defragment and Optimize Drives app in the Start menu, select your drive, and click Optimize. Traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) scatter file fragments across their physical platters over time. Reorganizing those pieces shortens read times and makes Windows more responsive.

Solid-state drives (SSDs) work differently. They use a command called TRIM, which tells the drive which blocks no longer hold data, to clear deleted data blocks in the background and maintain write speeds. They do not need classic defragmentation.

What happens when done? Your drive will work better, leading to faster file access and possibly quicker app loading times.

1. Search for Defragment and Optimize Drives in the Windows search bar🔍 and select it.
2. Select the drive you want to optimize, usually your C: drive. The Media type column tells you whether it is a hard disk drive or a solid state drive.
3. Click Optimize. On an HDD, Windows analyzes and defragments the drive, which can take a while on a large, fragmented disk. On an SSD, Windows runs TRIM instead, which is quick and safe.
4. Click Change settings if you want to set up a schedule for automatic optimization.

You should now see the Current status column update when the run finishes. Windows already schedules this by default, usually weekly, so you may find your drives listed as OK. A manual run mainly helps if you have just moved or deleted a lot of data.

12Adjust Power Settings for Performance

To adjust power settings in Windows 11, set Power mode to Best performance in Settings, or choose the High performance plan in Control Panel under Power Options. Both favour speed over saving energy. Power-saving profiles slow the CPU to conserve electricity. Switching to a performance profile stops the processor from down-clocking during demanding workloads, so your PC feels quicker.

What happens when done? Your PC may feel quicker and perform better, especially during demanding tasks. Note: this can increase power use and heat.

The Power mode setting is a quick speed-up, especially on desktops and on laptops that are plugged in.

1. Open Settings by pressing Win+I.
2. Click System.
3. Click Power & battery.
4. Set Power mode to Best performance. On laptops, the setting may be split into Plugged in and On battery, so change the plugged-in one first.

You should now see Best performance selected. Some PCs offer fewer choices, depending on the hardware and the maker’s settings. To switch back, choose Balanced in the same place.

The classic route uses a High performance power plan (a saved set of power and speed settings) in Control Panel.

1. Search for Edit power plan in the Windows search bar🔍 and select it.
2. Click Power Options in the address bar at the top. You can also use the left-hand path to go back to the plan list.
3. Look under Preferred plans for High performance.
4. Click Show additional plans if you do not see it.
5. Select High performance.

You should now see a filled radio button next to High performance. If the plan does not appear even after you show additional plans, your PC may not offer it, and many newer laptops hide it. In that case, use the Power mode steps above. To undo this, select Balanced under Preferred plans.

For laptops, this setting mainly affects performance when plugged in. On battery, expect shorter runtime and more fan noise if you use the high-performance setting.

13Disable Unnecessary Services (Advanced)

To disable unnecessary services in Windows 11, search for services.msc in the Start menu, right-click an unneeded background service, and set its startup type to Manual or Disabled. Services are programs that run in the background all the time and use memory and processor cycles. Stopping ones you do not need frees up RAM and CPU capacity. However, disabling critical operating system services breaks dependent features and can destabilize Windows. This is the riskiest section in the guide, so go slowly.

You need administrator privileges for this. Create a restore point first, so you have a way back if something goes wrong, and write down each service’s original Startup type before you change it.

These steps change how one background service starts.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Run.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter or click OK.
3. Review the list in the Services window that opens. It shows each service and its status.
4. Pick a service you are sure you do not need. Make sure you understand what it does first. For example, if you never use Bluetooth🔷, you might consider turning off the Bluetooth🔷 Support Service.
5. Double-click that service. Its properties window opens.
6. Click the Stop button if the service is running.
7. Change Startup type to Disabled. Choose Manual instead if you want Windows to be able to start the service when something needs it. This is the safer choice.
8. Click Apply, then click OK.

You should now see a blank Status column and your new setting under Startup Type. Change one service at a time and use the PC for a while before you change another. That way you can tell which change caused a problem.

To undo a change, reopen the service, set Startup type back to what it was (often Automatic), and click Start.

14Optimize Network Performance

To optimize network performance in Windows 11, open Settings, go to Network & internet, and use the built-in network reset or troubleshooter tools to clear out connection problems. Network resets and fixes clear out corrupt caches, including the DNS cache (a stored list of website addresses), and restore default connection settings. Web pages load faster once networking runs cleanly, with faster downloads and smoother streaming.

What happens when done? Faster downloads, smoother streaming, and a more responsive online experience.

The menu names differ slightly between Windows 11 builds, so look for these items under Settings and Network & internet:

• Run the Network troubleshooterOpen Advanced network settings and use the troubleshooter option. It checks for common problems and often fixes them without further input.
• Use Network resetOpen Advanced network settings, then Network reset, and click Reset now. This removes and reinstalls your network adapters and resets networking components to their defaults. You will have to reconnect to Wi-Fi and re-enter passwords, and your PC will restart. Treat it as a last resort.
• Update Network DriversMake sure your network adapter drivers are up to date. See the driver section above for how to do this in Device Manager.
• Check Background Network UsageOpen Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc and go to the Performance tab. Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet to see current network activity. Then open the Processes tab and click the Network column heading to find which apps are using the most bandwidth.

You should now have a cleaner connection, or at least know which app is using the most bandwidth. Start with the troubleshooter and keep Network reset for when nothing else works.

Conclusion

If the PC is still slow, open Task Manager and click the CPU, Memory or Disk column heading to find the program using the most. Hardware may be the limit at that point, and adding RAM or moving to an SSD helps more than any setting. Check your startup list again after you install new software, since many installers add themselves to it.