Windows 11 Search indexes hard drive data in the background so you can search your PC faster. However, the accelerated search processes can lead to a slower computer because search indexing costs resources. This is especially true for systems that are already a bit weak. For them, turning off search indexing can give you a speed boost.
To do this, give services.msc in the Windows search field and open it Services App. In the listing, scroll down to the entry “Windows Search” – and double-click. In the following window you can stop the service and restart your computer. Your searches may then be a little slower, but you will hardly notice the difference. But you should notice the increase in speed even more.
Alternatively, you can disable indexing only for files in specific locations, while files and folders in or for which you frequently search continue to be indexed. To do this, enter “ in the Windows search fieldindex” and then open the app “Indexing options“. Click on the ” buttonChange“, and you will see a list of memory locations that will be indexed. To stop a specific memory port from being indexed, simply uncheck the corresponding checkbox next to it.
6. Clear out the hard drive
An overfilled hard drive with files that are no longer needed can slow down your PC. Taking a few minutes to clean up your hard drive can result in an instant speed boost. All you need is the Windows 11 on-board tool.Memory optimization“.
You can find this via the settings menu, under the point System -> memory. If you move the storage optimization slider to the right, Windows 11 will continuously monitor your PC and automatically delete temporary or old files. You can adapt the functionality of the tool to your needs. You can also tell Storage Optimizer to delete files in your Downloads folder or your Trash after a certain period of time.
7. Disable shadows, animations and visual effects
On fast, newer PCs, Windows 11’s visual effects usually don’t impact PC performance. Things may look different on older, slower computers. If your PC falls into the latter category, you will generally experience better performance if you deactivate the visual delights of Windows 11.
This is what you give sysdm.cpl in the Windows search field and start the control panel item of the same name. In the following dialog box “System properties” navigate to the “ tabAdvanced“. Then click on the ” buttonCharacteristics” in the area “Performance“. You will now see the Performance Options dialog box with a long list of animations and special effects. Here you can experiment as you wish. If you just want to be determined to remove the biggest performance hogs – these are usually the options:
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Animation when minimizing and maximizing windows;
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Taskbar animations;
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show window shadows;
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Hide menu items after calling;
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Show or hide menus in view;
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Show or hide tooltip in view;
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Animate controls and elements within windows.
The easiest solution: select “Automatically select optimal setting“. In this case, Windows 11 will automatically disable the effects that slow down your system.
8. Disable transparency
Another lever to make Windows 11 faster: also deactivate the transparency effects in the taskbar and elsewhere. These cost a surprising amount of system performance. To do this, click in the settings menu via “personalization” up to “Colors” and move the transparency effects slider to Off.
9. Adjust power settings
You can use the power settings on your Windows 11 PC to balance energy efficiency and performance. If an energy saving plan is activated on your system, this will definitely lead to a reduction in performance.
To prevent this, go to Control Panel and then select “Hardware and sound“, followed by “Energy options“. Now choose the setting you want. For desktop users, there’s no reason to choose the “Power Saving” option – and even laptop users should consider the “Balanced” option.
10. Turn off Windows tips and tricks
Windows 11 constantly analyzes what you do on your PC and gives you tips in various places “to do even more”. However, they are rarely helpful – and there is a bad feeling when Windows is constantly looking over your shoulder. More importantly, this type of monitoring can also slow down your system.
To force Windows 11 to keep the advice to itself, open the Settings menu and then select “System” and then “Notifications“. Here you scroll all the way down to under the point “Additional settings” the checkbox “Get tips and suggestions when using Windows“.
11. Disable game mode
The game mode integrated into Windows 11 is useful if you play games. As soon as the system detects something, it primarily uses system resources for it – to the detriment of all other applications and background processes. However, if you don’t play or never play, Game Mode can slow down your system because it keeps some system resources in reserve – and occasionally leads to stability problems.
Since Game Mode is enabled by default, you need to turn it off. To do this, go to the settings menu “games” and then “Game mode” and move the slider accordingly.
12. Update drivers
Outdated drivers can significantly slow down your Windows 11 PC. To prevent this from happening, do the following:
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Go to Windows Settings (Windows-Taste + I).
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First select “Windows Update” in the menu on the left, then in the main window first “Advanced options“, then “Optional updates“.
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In the Driver update-Listing you can now select the ones you want to download and install.
13. Restart Windows
Last, but not least, a real secret weapon from the IT departments of the world: If your computer is lame, restart it. This ensures that the RAM is cleaned up again and processes that are no longer needed are ended.
This article originally appeared at our sister publication Computerworld.com.
