How to Optimize Your PC for Gaming on Windows 11

April 21, 2025 Admin

Windows 11 is sleek, stylish, and packed with PC Gaming features but if your gaming experience feels more like a slideshow than a cinematic masterpiece, your PC might not be living up to its potential.

Here’s a fun fact to kick us off: The average gaming PC uses less than 60% of its GPU power out-of-the-box. That means you could be missing out on smoother frames, sharper graphics, and faster load times all because of settings you didn’t even know existed.

So whether you’re a casual weekend warrior or a competitive esports hopeful, this guide will walk you through how to optimize your PC for gaming on Windows 11 no technical degree required.

Let’s turn your PC into a lean, mean, pixel-pushing machine.

1. Enable Game Mode in Windows 11

Microsoft baked Game Mode right into Windows 11, and it’s your first stop for a smoother experience.

What it does:

Allocates more system resources to your game
Limits background activity
Prioritizes GPU and CPU usage for active games

To enable it:

Unlock smoother gameplay just head to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and toggle it on!
Toggle Game Mode to On

Simple switch, noticeable gains.

2. Turn On Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling

This one’s a bit under-the-hood but can reduce input lag and improve performance—especially on newer systems.

How to enable:

Go to Settings > System > Display
Click Graphics > Change default graphics settings
Toggle on Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling

Note: Your GPU must support this (most modern NVIDIA and AMD cards do). Don’t forget to restart your PC afterward.

3. Update Graphics Drivers (Seriously, Do It)

Outdated drivers are like trying to run a race in flip-flops. If you want max performance, your GPU needs the latest instructions from its manufacturer.

For NVIDIA GPUs:

Boost your gameplay get it now via GeForce Experience or the official site!

For AMD GPUs:

Use Adrenalin Software Suite

Driver updates don’t just fix bugs they often boost FPS in popular games. Every few weeks, check for new releases, especially after major game launches.

4. Optimize Power Settings for Performance

By default, Windows 11 tries to balance power usage and performance—great for battery life, not so great for gaming.

Here’s what to do:

Open Control Panel > Power Options
Select High performance
Or, on Windows 11:
- Unlock better performance head to Settings > System > Power & Battery now!
- Under Power mode, select Best performance

Also, always plug in your laptop when gaming. On battery, your GPU and CPU are throttled to conserve energy.

5. Disable Background Apps & Startup Programs

You’d be surprised how many things are running behind the scenes—apps updating, cloud syncs, background scanners.

To shut them down:

Unlock hidden system power press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch Task Manager instantly!
Boost speed instantly head to the Startup tab and turn off what you don’t need!
On the Processes tab, right-click and end resource-hogging apps (Chrome, Spotify, OneDrive, etc.)

Fewer background tasks = more power for your game.

6. Tweak In-Game Settings for High FPS

Want to feel the difference between 45 and 120 FPS? Boost your gameplay instantly with these must-change graphics settings!

Lower resolution (or use DLSS/XeSS if supported)
Drop shadows, reflections, and anti-aliasing
Disable motion blur and depth of field
Reduce draw distance or view range if applicable

You don’t have to sacrifice visuals completely—just experiment until you hit that sweet spot between beauty and performance.

7. Use an SSD (Solid State Drive)

If your game is still installed on a traditional hard drive, you’re missing out—big time. SSDs drastically reduce:

Game load times
System boot time
In-game stuttering caused by asset loading

Windows 11 boots fastest on SSDs, and many modern games like Call of Duty or Starfield basically require SSD speed for smooth play.

Need help choosing a fast rig with SSDs and gaming-ready specs? Trustly Reviews has great tech guides and comparisons you can check out.

8. Keep Windows 11 Up to Date

We know, we know—updates can be annoying. But hear us out: Microsoft actively rolls out performance improvements and game compatibility fixes through Windows Update.

To stay current:

Go to Settings > Windows Update
Click Check for updates

It’s especially important after major GPU driver updates or new hardware installs.

9. Clean Up Your Storage (and Your System)

Cluttered storage leads to slower load times, file fragmentation, and in some cases, system lag.

What to do:

Run Disk Cleanup (search in Start Menu)
Free up space instantly just turn on Storage Sense in System > Storage!
Uninstall games or programs you’re not using
Defragment your HDD if you’re still using one

Bonus: Consider using a lightweight PC cleaner app—but stick to trusted ones. And stay away from those sketchy “registry booster” tools.

10. Upgrade Your Hardware (If Needed)

Even the best settings can’t do much if your hardware is outdated. If you’ve optimized everything and still get low FPS, it might be time for a refresh.

Look for upgrades like:

Better GPU (NVIDIA RTX 4060 or AMD RX 7700 XT are great entry points)
Boost gameplay with 16GB+ RAM crush modern AAA titles without lag!
Faster SSD or more storage space
Efficient cooling to reduce thermal throttling

If you’re not sure where to start, this Buyer’s Guide to the Best Gaming Laptops covers top-tier and budget-friendly systems that crush it with Windows 11.

Even if you’re not buying a laptop, the guide offers great benchmarks and performance breakdowns to help inform your desktop decisions too.

Bonus Tip: Use Xbox Game Bar (With Care)

Unlock hidden powers in Windows 11: Record gameplay, track performance, and chat instantly with Xbox Game Bar! But it can eat up resources if left running.

To manage it:

Unlock pro gaming tools fast just head to Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar!
Toggle off if you’re not using it regularly

If you like its features, just keep an eye on what’s active (background recording especially).

Final Thoughts: Make Windows 11 Work For You

Gaming on Windows 11 can be buttery-smooth, high-performance, and immersive but only if you’ve set your PC up for success.

By optimizing power settings, managing background tasks, updating drivers, and making a few smart in-game adjustments, you’ll unlock every last frame your machine has to offer.

And hey, if you’re ever unsure what gear to trust, bookmark Trustly Reviews for tech advice without the fluff.Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about having the newest OS it’s about making it game ready.

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