READ ALSO -> Optimize your computer for PC video games
1) Change the power settings
Windows allows you to choose between different power settings: balanced, energy saving and high performance. Between the various settings will change the battery life and the performance of the CPU: by setting High Performance the computer will always be very fast and responsive, but the laptop’s battery will undoubtedly last less (always better take this into account).
To change the power settings on Windows 11 we open the Start menu, we open the menu Settings, let’s get into the menu System, click on Power and battery and set, in the drop-down menu next to Energy saving mode, the voice Maximum performance.
To change the power settings on Windows 10 we open the Start menu, look for the app Control panel, we press at the top on the top bar, we type the path Control Panel Hardware and Sound Power Options and we choose the option to activate maximum performance (usually High performance, but there may also be other customized items depending on the handset in use).
2) Disable background apps
If we have many apps running in the background, the system will suffer, especially if we don’t have large amounts of RAM memory and we often use heavy programs. Disabling apps we don’t use often will free up RAM every time the system restarts, which will keep it snappy every time.
To disable background apps on Windows 11 let’s go to the Start menu, open the Settings, click on the menu App, we press on the menu Start and we turn off the switch next to all the apps we don’t want to start together with Windows.
To disable background apps on Windows 10 we have two methods that we can apply: the first method involves taking us on the path Impostazioni -> Privacy -> App in background where you can disable the Modern apps active in the background), while the second method involves right clicking on the taskbar, open the menu Activity management and take us to the card Start, so you can disable (with the right mouse button) the individual apps starting with the system.
This last trick is also valid on Windows 11 if the app we are looking for is not present in the menu seen above; the only difference is that the Task Manager menu can be activated by pressing the right button on the Start menu (and no longer on the taskbar).
3) Turn off Windows transparency
Windows 11 has a very modern graphic effect that makes the bottom bar and some windows translucent. This effect is very nice but consumes GPU and CPU resources: if we want a fast PC for apps it is better to disable it.
To disable transparency on Windows, open the Start menu, go to the menu Settings, click on Personalization, then on the menu Colors and finally we disable the switch next to the item Transparency effects.
On Windows 10 the procedure is very similar: we open the app Settings, click on the menu Personalization, let’s open the menu Colors and we deactivate the switch present under the heading Transparency effects.
4) Disable shadows, animations and visual effects
If disabling transparency has not brought any performance benefits on Windows, we can make the system even lighter by disabling any unnecessary graphics. The system will thus be very “rudimentary” but extremely fast from every point of view.
To disable all graphic effects on Windows 11 and Windows 10, all we have to do is open the Start menu, search Advanced system settings, open the first search item that will open at the top, press on the item Settings in the section Performance and finally select the item Adjust for best performance.
5) Disable Windows tips and tricks
On Windows 11 we will be shown tips and tricks to make the most of the system. In some cases these tricks are useful, but in most cases it is better to disable them in order to obtain a much more reactive system.
To disable the tips and tricks of Windows 11 open the Start menu, let’s go to the menu Settings, let’s open the menu System, we press on Notifications and scroll down until you find the items Offer tips on how to set up my device and Get tips when using Windows, on which we will have to remove the check mark.
6) Cleaning the system
Windows accumulates a lot of useless files, which in the long run can slow down the computer even considerably. Since this space can be easily recovered, it is advisable to proceed with cleaning the system every time we have the opportunity or we notice that the system is slowing down conspicuously.
To clean the system on Windows 11 we open the menu Settings, we press on System, then on Archiving and press on the column indicated as Temporary Files. In the new window that opens, click on all the items that we deem appropriate to activate (the more the better), then click at the top on Remove files to clean the system. We remind you that, in the menu Settings -> System -> Storage, we can also activate the Memory sensor, which will automatically delete the oldest and most useless files.
On Windows 10 the cleaning procedure is very similar: let’s go to the Settings app, press on System -> Storage, then on Temporary files; select the files to be deleted and finally click on Remove file to delete.
To thoroughly clean the system we can also follow the procedures seen in our guide on Full Windows Disk Cleanup.
7) Stop OneDrive syncing
OneDrive is the cloud space offered by Microsoft and can be used both to backup personal files and to keep photos and documents to share on other Microsoft devices (but also on Android and iPhone). If we don’t use OneDrive on PC we can disable it, so as to reserve its resources for other apps or other functions.
To disable OneDrive on Windows 11 and Windows 10, right-click on the icon OneDrive at the bottom right (if it is hidden, click on the arrowhead and select it), click on the menu Settings and help, then on Settings and finally let’s go to the card Account. From this tab we press on the item Disconnect this PC to remove the association of the Microsoft account, then let’s go to the Settings tab and remove the check mark from the item Start Onedrive automatically when I log in to Windows. The next time you restart OneDrive will no longer be in memory and will no longer sync files.
8) Optimize the disks
The disks present on Windows must be subjected to regular maintenance, in order to keep the SSD cells (with TRIM) or the disk sectors (in the case of a mechanical HDD) efficient. Both operations are carried out automatically when the PC is not in use, but it is always advisable to manually optimize at least once a month.
To optimize the disks on Windows 11 and Windows 10 we open the Start menu, we search Defragment and optimize drives, we open the first item that will appear and, in the new window, we press on the present disk, then on Analyze and finally on Optimize The Defragment. If there are several disks on the system, repeat the operation by selecting all the disks present one by one.
In the same window we can schedule the automatic optimization by clicking on Change settings below and choosing when to have the operation performed (we recommend at least once a week).
9) Usare ReadyBoost
A very underrated feature on Windows is ReadyBoost, which allows you to use the space of a USB stick as an extension of the system RAM, so as to speed up the execution of programs on older PCs. In order to use this function, the USB key must be at least USB 3.0 and have a very high reading and writing speed: a model that we can use for this purpose is the SanDisk Extreme PRO 128 GB.
Once the key is connected to the system formattiamola in NFTS, press the right mouse button on its icon (in File Explorer -> This PC), press on the menu Property and let’s go to the card ReadyBoost. If the key is compatible with ReadyBoost we press on the item Dedicate this device to ReadyBoost, choose the amount of memory to use as a system boost and press OK at the bottom to confirm.
10) Disable advanced search
Looking for a file in a very large folder is the same as looking for a needle in a haystack. Windows’ search function tries to index all files, but it often takes up CPU to scan larger folders, slowing down system and program execution.
To disable advanced search on Windows 11, open the Settings, click on Privacy and security, we select the item Windows Search, we select as a search system Classic then we press on the item Customize your search paths, we press on Edit and remove the heaviest folders (or even remove the folders altogether).
On Windows 10 we can disable the advanced search by opening the Start menu, looking for the Services app, identifying the Windows Search service among those present and setting it to Disabled in the drop-down menu. At the next restart, the search system will no longer be active.
However, we can replace the file and folder search system with the Everything program, one of the most efficient in searching for files.
Conclusions
By applying all the tricks seen in the guide we will be able to speed up Windows in any situation, especially on older computers. Windows 11 can be speeded up very easily, but many of the tricks are also available on Windows 10, which remains the reference operating system for all PCs not compatible with the latest system created by Microsoft.
To speed up the system we can also read the guide to tricks to speed up your network connection and the guide on how increase the filesystem cache memory.