How to Enable Optimizations for Windowed Games in Windows 11
Optimizations for windowed games in Windows 11 cuts down input lag and boosts frame rates for games running in windowed or borderless modes by using modern flip presentation methods. This built-in display feature also unlocks Auto HDR for vivid colors and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support on compatible monitors to stop screen tearing.
You can turn on this setting in Windows 11 version 22H2 or later through your main graphics settings in just a few clicks.
Open Settings , go to System Display Graphics, click “Change default graphics settings”, and toggle “Optimizations for windowed games” to On. This setting improves performance for games running in windowed or borderless modes.
Technical Mechanism: How It Works
Optimizations for windowed games in Windows 11 uses a newer display technology called Flip-model, similar to what full-screen games use, to make games run smoother.
Compatibility and Requirements
How to enable or disable optimizations
Windowed games optimization settings in Windows 11 can be turned on or off through the Settings app to improve game performance and reduce stuttering when you play games in a window instead of full screen. Open Settings , go to System, click Display, select Graphics, and choose Default graphics settings to find the toggle.
- Open the Settings app by pressing Win+I.
- Click on the System tab, then click Display.
windows 11 start settings - Scroll down to Related settings and click Graphics.
Windows Display Settings tile - Click Change default graphics settings.
Graphics tile in Windows 11 settings for enabling windowed game optimizations - Use the toggle switch for Optimizations for windowed games to turn it On or Off.
Windowed games settings
How to disable for specific games
If a game acts strangely, you can turn this off for just that game. Go to Settings System Display Graphics. Find your game in the list. Click Options. Select Don’t use optimizations and click Save.
Troubleshooting
Check your graphics drivers in C:\Windows\System32 or via your GPU control panel. If a game crashes, try disabling the feature for that specific app using the steps above.
Summary
Turning on optimizations for windowed games is a simple setting that can make your games run better by reducing lag and improving features like Auto HDR.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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