Chapter 12: Tips, Tricks, and Maintenance

Optimizing System Performance in Windows 11

Optimizing system performance is essential to ensure that Windows 11 runs smoothly and efficiently. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to enhance the performance of your Windows 11 system through various settings and tools.

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1. Adjusting Visual Effects

Windows 11 includes several visual effects that can impact performance. Adjusting these settings can help improve speed.

Steps to Adjust Visual Effects:

1. Open System Properties:
• Right-click on the Start Menu and select System.
• Click on Advanced system settings on the left sidebar.
2. Access Performance Settings:
• In the System Properties window, click on the Settings button under the Performance section.
3. Choose Performance Options:
• In the Performance Options window, select the Adjust for best performance option to disable all visual effects.
• Alternatively, choose Custom to selectively disable specific effects.
4. Apply Changes:
• Click Apply, then OK to save your changes.

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2. Managing Startup Programs

Too many programs launching at startup can slow down your system. Managing these can significantly improve boot time and overall performance.

Steps to Manage Startup Programs:

1. Open Task Manager:
• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
2. Navigate to Startup Tab:
• Click on the Startup tab to see a list of programs that run at startup.
3. Disable Unnecessary Programs:
• Right-click on any program you don’t need at startup and select Disable.

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3. Using Storage Sense

Windows 11 has a built-in feature called Storage Sense that helps free up space by automatically deleting unnecessary files.

Steps to Enable Storage Sense:

1. Open Settings:
• Click on the Start Menu and select Settings.
2. Navigate to Storage:
• Go to System > Storage.
3. Enable Storage Sense:
• Toggle the switch for Storage Sense to On.
• Configure it to run automatically when your storage is low.
4. Configure Cleanup Options:
• Click on Configure Storage Sense or run it now to set options for deleting temporary files, emptying the Recycle Bin, and more.

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4. Optimizing Disk Performance

Defragmenting your hard drive (if using an HDD) and optimizing your SSD can enhance performance.

Steps to Optimize Drives:

1. Open Optimize Drives:
• Search for Defragment and Optimize Drives in the Start Menu.
2. Select the Drive:
• Choose the drive you want to optimize (e.g., C:).
3. Analyze and Optimize:
• Click on Analyze to check if the drive needs optimization. If it does, click Optimize.
4. Schedule Regular Optimization:
• You can schedule regular optimizations by clicking on Change settings.

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5. Managing Background Apps

Background apps can consume system resources. Limiting them can help improve performance.

Steps to Manage Background Apps:

1. Open Settings:
• Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Background apps.
2. Control Background App Permissions:
• Toggle off the apps that you don’t want to run in the background.

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6. Updating Drivers and Windows

Keeping your system updated ensures you have the latest performance improvements and bug fixes.

Steps to Update Windows:

1. Open Windows Update:
• Go to Settings > Windows Update.
2. Check for Updates:
• Click on Check for updates and install any available updates.

Steps to Update Drivers:

1. Open Device Manager:
• Right-click on the Start Menu and select Device Manager.
2. Update Drivers:
• Expand the categories and right-click on any device, selecting Update driver. Choose Search automatically for drivers.

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7. Adjusting Power Settings

Choosing a suitable power plan can help improve system performance, especially on laptops.

Steps to Adjust Power Settings:

1. Open Power Options:
• Right-click on the Start Menu and select Power Options.
2. Select a Power Plan:
• Choose Additional power settings on the right side.
• Select the High performance plan for optimal performance.

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8. Running Performance Troubleshooter

Windows 11 includes a troubleshooter that can help identify and fix performance issues.

Steps to Run Performance Troubleshooter:

1. Open Settings:
• Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
2. Run Performance Troubleshooter:
• Find the Performance troubleshooter and click Run.

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Conclusion

By following these steps, you can significantly optimize the performance of your Windows 11 system. Regular maintenance, such as managing startup programs, updating drivers, and using Storage Sense, will ensure that your computer runs smoothly and efficiently. Taking the time to optimize your system not only enhances performance but also improves your overall user experience in Windows 11.