Windows 11 does a lot under the hood to speed up a PC’s performance. The same PC will generally run faster on Windows 11 than Windows 10. But no matter how zippy your Windows 11 may be, it can run faster. And keep in mind that PCs tend to slow down over time, and you want to make sure that doesn’t happen to yours.
It’s simple to make your Windows PC run faster. Just follow these tips.
Note: This story covers Windows 11 version 22H2. If you have an earlier release of Windows 11, some things may be slightly different. If you have Windows 10, see our Windows 10 speed tips.
1. Disable programs that run on startup
Your Windows 11 PC could be a laggard if programs you rarely or never use are running in the background. Your PC will run faster if you stop them from running.
To do it, first launch the Task Manager in one of these ways: Press Ctrl-Shift-Esc, right-click the lower-right corner of your screen and select Task Manager, or type task manager into the Windows 11 search box and press Enter. There’s a lot you can use Task Manager for, but here we’re focusing only on killing unnecessary programs that run at startup.
Click the Startup apps icon on the left side of the screen. (It’s the fourth icon from the top.) It displays a list of the programs and services that launch when you start Windows. The list includes each program’s name as well as its publisher, whether it’s enabled to run on startup, and its “Startup impact,” which is how much it slows down Windows 11 when the system starts up. Note, though, that the screen doesn’t show how much each program will impact your performance after startup, during normal PC operations.
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You can use the Task Manager to get information about programs that launch at startup and disable any you don’t need. (Click image to enlarge it.)
To stop a program or service from launching at startup, right-click it and select Disable. This doesn’t disable the program entirely; it only prevents…
2023-02-22 07:00:04
Post from www.computerworld.com
Optimizing Windows 11 performance is one of the most common problems faced by computer users. The latest version of Windows is more advanced than ever and requires regular maintenance in order to stay fast, secure, and bug-free. By following these 12 tips, you can help ensure the best performance from your Windows 11 device.
1. Free up disk space. Keeping at least 15% free disk space is essential for Windows 11 to run properly. Delete unnecessary files, such as temporary files, old documents and photos, as well as programs that you no longer need.
2. Keep your system up to date. Regularly check for updates for Windows 11, as well as for all the programs installed on your computer. This will ensure that your system is running the most secure and efficient version of the software available.
3. Disable unused programs. Take a look at the startup programs of Windows 11 and disable those that you don’t need. Many programs run in the background, such as trial software and bloatware, and they can slow down your computer.
4. Uninstall any unnecessary software. Check your system for bloatware, trial software, and any other unwanted applications. Remove them to free up more disk space and resources.
5. Disable unnecessary services. Unnecessary services increase the usage of system resources, leading to slow performance. Open the Services window in Windows 11 to disable any unnecessary services.
6. Clean up your disk. To optimally use disk space and keep it running optimally, you need to run disk cleanup every now and then. This procedure will look for and delete unnecessary files.
7. Clean up your registry. Similar to disk cleanup, you can also clean up your registry. This will help to optimize Windows 11 performance, as the registry is the main component that stores system information.
8. Use a startup manager. A startup manager will help you see which programs are loading on startup and disable the ones that you don’t need. This will help speed up boot time.
9. Install an antivirus program. A good antivirus program is essential for the security of your computer. It will prevent malicious software from slowing down your computer.
10. Free up RAM. To free up RAM, you can close all the programs that are running in the background, as well as disable any unnecessary startup programs.
11. Defragment your hard drive. Your hard drive may become fragmented over time, causing files to spread out all over the disk. Defragmenting your hard drive will bring all the files back together, enhancing system performance.
12. Upgrade hardware. If you’ve done all of the above but still struggling with slow performance, consider upgrading your computer’s hardware. Installing a new RAM, replacing an old hard drive, or adding a faster processor would make a big difference in your system’s performance.
By following the above tips, you can easily optimize the performance of your Windows 11 device and ensure that your system is running at its best.