How to speed up Windows 11 and optimize it for fast operation

When Windows 11 was released, Microsoft promised that it would a faster and lighter operating system than its predecessor would be. That’s not always the case, either because the company has released poorly optimized updates or because your PC’s performance isn’t optimal. If you’re finding Windows 11 to be a bit slow and sluggish, here are some tips on how to make it run faster again.

Turn off transparency

The first effective measure to improve Windows 11 performance is turning off the transparencies. This effect improves the user experience and the overall look of the system. However, it is completely unnecessary and consumes resources that can be reserved for other applications.

To do this, go to your computer’s settings. You can do this from the Start menu or by using the Windows + I key combination.

Open System PreferencesOpen System Preferences

Then click Personalization and then up Colors.

Open color settingsOpen color settings

Click on the slider next to Transparency effects and make sure he’s on Off is set

Disable transparenciesDisable transparencies

From now on, the user interface will be coarser but also more streamlined.

Turn off animations

Something similar to the above happens with animations. In this case you can find them in the section Accessibility deactivate. There you click Visual effectsto continue.

Visual effects settingsVisual effects settings

When all options are shown, click on the slider on the right side of animation effects.

Disable animation effectsDisable animation effects

At this point, window transitions and opening of certain items will occur without the appropriate animation.

Remove startup and background programs

Another common problem is slow system startup. A good way to alleviate this problem is to disable applications that start automatically with the system. Without leaving the settings, go to Apps and then to Startup.

application settingsapplication settings

Look at all the applications that start with your computer and consider which of them are unnecessary. If you are aware of this, you can disable them using the slider on the side.

Disable unnecessary startup programsDisable unnecessary startup programs

Keep in mind that disabling applications such as Google Drive, OneDrive and Co. will prevent automatic file synchronization at startup.

Enable fast startup

We proceed to the startup of the computer. Windows has had a quick start system for some versions. It should be noted that in most cases this feature is enabled by default. But in case it does, here are the steps to enable it.

Open the Control Panel and follow this path:

Hardware and sound/Power Options

Then click on the link Choose what closing the lid does.

Startup Settings in Windows 11Startup Settings in Windows 11

Make sure the box next to Turn on fast startup (recommended) (Turn on fast startup (recommended)) is marked.

Enable fast startupEnable fast startup

As you may notice, sometimes not only is it enabled by default, but it also cannot be disabled.

Clear your hard drive of unnecessary files

Overflowing storage media do not contribute to the smooth functioning of the system. If you suspect that this is one of the causes of your computer’s poor performance, open File Explorer, right-click the main drive, and then click Properties.

Drive propertiesDrive properties

Go to the tabGeneral and click the button Disk Cleanup.

Clean driveClean drive

Select all unnecessary files that you want Windows 11 to remove and confirm with the button OK.

Remove unnecessary filesRemove unnecessary files

Wait for the wizard to clean the drive.

cleaning processcleaning process

Sometimes it is possible to gain a few extra GB just by this method. However, you may also have to delete large files that you no longer need or copy them to another hard drive so as not to overload the main drive.

Disable additional visual effects

At this point we have already removed the transparencies and animations from the interface to improve performance. However, there are still some additional effectswhich can be disabled.

You can find them in the section System the configuration below About.

About your computerAbout your computer

When you are there, click on the link Advanced system settings.

Advanced system optionsAdvanced system options

Next, click on the tab Advanced and the button Settings. choose Adjust for best perfomanceto use the settings that prioritize performance.

Disable other Windows 11 effectsDisable other Windows 11 effects

Don’t close this window, it will be useful for the next step.

Add virtual memory (RAM) to your computer

Without the Perfomance Optionsto exit, click Advance. Then click Change.

Add Virtual RAMAdd Virtual RAM

Check the top box to allow Windows to use the SSD as RAM storage.

Allocate RAM automaticallyAllocate RAM automatically

If your computer runs out of main memory, it uses the internal hard drive as additional virtual memory.

Finish the tasks you don’t need

To wrap up this overview of the best tricks to boost your Windows 11 PC’s performance, let’s talk about a classic: ending tasks running in the background. To do this, open the task manager, select the process and click on the button End task.

Complete a taskComplete a task

Remember to save your changes before closing a task this way. Otherwise important information can be lost.

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