How to Optimize Windows 11 for Gaming

Disable Background Apps

• Settings → Apps → Startup — disable everything you don't need
• Settings → Apps → Installed Apps — uninstall bloatware (Clipchamp, News, etc.)
• Disable Xbox Game Bar: Settings → Gaming → Xbox Game Bar → Off
• Task Manager → Startup tab — disable non-essential items

Power Plan

# Set High Performance power plan (PowerShell as Admin):
powercfg /setactive 8c5e7fda-e8bf-4a96-9a85-a6e23a8c635c

# Or enable hidden Ultimate Performance plan:
powercfg /duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61

Also: Settings → System → Power → Screen and sleep — set to Never when gaming.

Game Mode

Settings → Gaming → Game Mode → On. This:

• Prioritizes game processes for CPU/GPU resources
• Prevents Windows Update from installing during gameplay
• Reduces background task interference

It's enabled by default on Windows 11 and generally helps.

Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling

Settings → System → Display → Graphics → Default graphics settings → Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling → On.

This reduces latency by letting the GPU manage its own memory scheduling. Requires a restart. Benefits vary — test with it on and off.

Disable VBS/HVCI

Virtualization-Based Security can cost 5-10% FPS:

• Search 'Core isolation' in Settings
• Turn off Memory Integrity
• Restart
• Alternatively, disable in Group Policy: Computer Config → Admin Templates → System → Device Guard

Warning: This reduces security. Only disable if you need every frame.

Storage Optimization

• Enable TRIM for SSDs (usually automatic): fsutil behavior set disabledeletenotify 0
• Disable Search Indexing on game drives: drive Properties → uncheck 'Allow Indexing'
• Move games to your fastest SSD

Network Settings

• Settings → Network → Ethernet/Wi-Fi → Hardware properties — set DNS to 1.1.1.1 / 8.8.8.8
• Disable 'Metered connection' on your gaming network

Driver Management

Keep GPU drivers updated but don't blindly install day-one releases:

• Wait 1-2 weeks after new GPU drivers for stability reports
• Use DDU for clean installs when switching driver versions
• See our GPU driver guide for details

Quick Wins Checklist

• Startup apps: disable all non-essential
• Power plan: High Performance
• Game Mode: On
• GPU scheduling: On (test)
• Background apps: disable
• Game drive: disable indexing
• Driver: recent stable version

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