21 Ways to Optimize Windows 10/11 for Gaming
Tired of experiencing low FPS, lag, or screen tearing while gaming? Then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will provide several methods to help you boost your gaming performance on your Windows 10 and 11 PC. Let’s dive right in.
Table of Contents
1. Upgrade to SSD
Quick Note:Skip this step if you already have an SSD inside your computer.
If your computer or laptop runs on a hard disk, it’s time to upgrade to SSD. It’s a one-stop solution to boost your gaming performance. Personally, when I transitioned from my old gaming laptop with an HDD to a new gaming laptop equipped with an SSD, I noticed a remarkable improvement in gaming performance during gameplay.
2. Enable Game Mode
Now that you’ve already got an SSD, the next step would be to enable the Game Mode on your Windows device. This will prevent Windows from performing any system-level update in the background. Furthermore, it prioritizes your game and gives you access to all the system resources, especially CPU and GPU.
To turn the Game Mode on your Windows 11 or 10, Navigate toWindows Settings(Windows Key + I)>Gaming>Game Mode>Enable Game Mode.
3. Adjust Power Settings
To take your gaming performance to the next level, another step you can take is changing your power setting to the performance mode. This will give a slightboost to your PC performance. However, it’s worth noting that this mode may slightly impact your laptop’s battery backup. Therefore, we recommend enabling this mode only when you’re about to play a game.
To switch to performance mode, Windows 11 users can open theSettingsApp, navigate toPower & battery, and select theBest performanceoption underPower mode.
Windows 10 users can simply click on theBatteryicon on theTaskbarand then drag thesliderto theright side(Best Performance).
4. Update Your Graphics Card Driver
If you experience stuttering on your PC while gaming, it could be related to your graphics driver. Therefore, it is recommended to keep your drivers up to date, as this may fix any bugs that may cause a drop in your gaming performance. Updating a driver is pretty straightforward, just pressWindows Key + Xhotkey and select theDevice Manager. From there, right-click on yourgraphics cardand hit theUpdate Driveroption.
Alternatively, you may also update the graphics card by going to the manufacturer’s site and downloading the latest version of the graphics card driver. Nvidia and AMD are major players in this segment.
DownloadNvidiaorAMDgraphics Driver
Tip:Learn how toreset your graphics card on Windows 11
5. Lower the Game’s Graphics Settings
If your game starts to lag, it might be because you don’t have a powerful enough graphics card to handle the game, or you may be playing a demanding game on a lower-end system. So the best thing you can do to optimize your gameplay is by lowering your game resolution and disabling a few graphics intense settings. That way, you might get a smoother gameplay experience.
6. Disable Nagle’s Algorithm on Windows
Nagle’s Algorithm is a network optimization algorithm used to improve theefficiency of your internet connectionby bundling the packages. However, this may also lead to latency issues when playing online multiplayer games. So if you’re also experiencing the frame drop or latency issue during your gameplay session, follow the below guide to fix it:
1.PressWindows Key + Sto open theWindows Searchand look forCommand PromptorWindows Powershell.
2.Open any of them and type“ipconfig”and hitEnterkey.
3.Next, note down theIPv4 Address.
Note:Search for the IPv4 address to which you are currently connected, such as through Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
4.After that, again use theWindows Key + Shotkey and this time look forRegistry Editor.
5.Open it and copy & paste the followingpathinto your address bar:
6.Now under the Interfaces folder, carefully examine each folder individually and look forDhcpIPAddressthat matches yourIPv4 Address.
7.Once you find out the matching folder, right-click on thefolder(left pane)>clickNew>SelectDWORD (32-bit) Value.
8.Name the file“TcpAckFrequency”.
9.RepeatStep 7and this time name it“TCPNoDelay”.
10.After that, double-click oneach fileand change the“Value data”to1.
That’s it. Restart your PC and Nagle’s algorithm will be disabled. If you run into any problems, you may revert back to your previous settings.
7. Switch to Faster DNS
DNS can also be the reason why you’re witnessing a drop in your gaming performance, particularly in online gaming. Many internet service providers (ISPs) have their own DNS servers, but they often lack reliability. So it’s better to switch to morereliable and safe DNS providerslike Google and Cloudflare.
To change the DNS server address, simply navigate toNetworks & internet>selectWi-FiorEthernetconnection (whichever you’re connected to)>Hardware properties>EditDNS server assignment>selectManual>EnableIPv4>EnterDNS IP Address>Save.
8. Use a Dedicated Graphics Card
It would be fair to assume that your Windows PC might be using the integrated graphics card instead of the dedicated graphics card during gameplay. This is not a new problem and can easily be fixed. You can read our detailed guide on how toforce a game to use a dedicated graphics cardon a computer.
9. Disable Background Running Apps
If there are lots of unnecessary apps running in the background, it’s no surprise that your PC starts to lag when playing games. To fix this issue, disable any apps from running in the background that are affecting your computer’s performance. Here’s how:
Windows 10:Navigate toSettings>Privacy>Background Apps. Now toggle off the apps that you no longer need.
Windows 11:Go toSettings>Apps>Installed Apps>SelectApps>Clickmeatball menu(3-dot icon)>Advanced options>Let this app run in the background>SelectNever.
Alternatively, you can also use theTask Manager(Ctrl + Shift + Esc) to disable apps from running at the startup.
10. Prevent Steam From Auto-Updating Games in the Background
While there is no option to completely disable auto-update for Steam games, you can at least prevent Steam from automatically updating games in the background. By doing so, you can stop Steam from eating up your system resources while playing games, leading to a smoother gameplay experience on your PC.
Simply go to the game’sProperties, jump to theUpdatessection, and select the options –Only update this game when I launch itandpause background downloads while I’m playing.
Tip:Slow downloading speed on Steam? Here are 13 ways to fix it.
11. Tweak Windows Visual Effects
If you’re willing to compromise on the appearance and user experience of your Windows PC in exchange for optimal gaming performance, switch to the best performance mode.
Warning:This mode disables all animations, taskbar thumbnail previews, UI shadows, and more.
To enable this mode, press theWindows Key + Sand search for“Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows”. This will open thePerformance Options. Simply select“Adjust for best performance”and click theOKbutton.
That’s it. You will start to feel yourWindows PC has gotten snappier.
12. Use Wired Keyboard and Mouse
When it comes to gaming, we would recommend you use a wired keyboard and mouse over the wireless one. As there’s a possibility that other electronic devices may interfere with your wireless connection and this could lead to choppy movement or delayed input during gameplay.
13. Upgrade Your Mouse
One more way tooptimize your Windowsfor gaming is by upgrading your mouse. Even the slightest delay in mouse input can get you killed in the game ruining your gaming experience. So we would suggest you go with a mouse that has at least a 1000 Hz polling rate.
In case you don’t know what is mouse’s polling rate, it is the frequency at which it reports its position to your computer. For instance, a mouse with a 125 Hz polling rate will report its position 125 times per second or every 8 milliseconds. So basically higher the polling rate, the shorter the delay input.
Tip:Is yourmouse cursor keeps moving on its own on Windows 10/11? Here are 12 fixes.
14. Uninstall Redundant Apps or Bloatware
When you first time boot your Windows PC, it may come with lots of bloatware, both from Microsoft or PC manufacturers. And most of them are nothing more than pieces of garbage that hog your system resources in the background. So we would recommend you uninstall all the unnecessary apps or bloatware from your computer.
Windows 10:Go toWindows Settings>Apps>Apps & features. After that, select theappand hit theUninstallbutton.
Windows 11:Navigate toWindows Settings>Apps>Installed Apps. Once there, click on thethree-dotted iconnext to the desired app and select theUninstallbutton.
Tip:Learn how todisable ads from everywhere on Windows 11
15. Increase RAM Capacity
Another reason could below RAM availability. If your PC frequently runs low on memory or constantly operates on the edge, it’s high time for you to consider upgrading your RAM. Otherwise, your PC will continue to deliver subpar gaming performance, especially when playing a demanding game.
16. Install the Latest Version of DirectX
With each iteration of DirectX, Microsoft has brought a significant improvement in gaming performance. And with the latest DirectX 12, you will get features like Ray Tracing, Variable Rate Shading, Mesh Shading, and more. This can greatly enhance your gaming experience.
You may already have the latest version of DirectX installed on your computer. However, if you want to manually check the version, pressWindows Key + Rto open theRunprogram, then type“dxdiag”(without quotes) and hit theEnterkey. This will open theDirectX Diagnostic Tool. From there, you may check your DirectX version. If it is an older version, you can look for updates by navigating to the Windows Update screen.
17. Use Ethernet Over Wi-Fi
If you’re encountering a drop in frame rate or lag during gameplay, it is important to note that the issue may not always be hardware-related. In some cases, it could be because of poor internet connectivity, especially when playing online multiplayer games where Wi-Fi interference can lead to sudden drops in FPS. Therefore, if possible, we would suggest that you use an Ethernet connection to enjoy a smoother gameplay experience.
Tip:Learnwhy your Wi-Fi is not working, but ethernet is
18. Enable/Disable Enhance Mouse Pointer Precision
By enabling enhance pointer precision on your Windows PC, you will get more accurate, responsive, and smoother cursor movement, allowing you to achieve precise aiming or targeting in the game. However, if you have a mouse with a good sensor and a polling rate of over 1000 Hz, you may need to disable this feature to avoid potential conflicts. If it has the opposite effect, revert back to the original state.
To access the mouse properties, go toWindows Settings>Bluetooth & devices>Mouse>Additional mouse settings>Pointer Options. Once there,check or uncheck the boxnext to Enhance pointer precision and then hit theOKbutton.
19. Switch to Better Monitor
Upgrading your monitor can make a world of difference in your overall computing or gaming experience. For instance, if you own a monitor that has a 1 ms response time and 144 Hz refresh rate, you’re more likely to get smoother and more responsive gameplay or visual experience compared to a monitor that has a 4 ms response time and 60 Hz refresh rate.
Recommended Specs for Monitor:
20. Upgrade Your Graphics Card
One quick way to boost your gaming performance on Windows 11 or 10 PC is by upgrading your graphics card. By doing so, you can eliminate issues like screen tearing, lag, frame drops, and more, resulting in a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.
Of course, buying a good graphics card may come with a higher price tag, and you also have to worry about compatibility with your system. However, the difference you will notice in your gaming performance makes it a worthwhile investment.
21. Update Windows
Every once in a while Windows delivers a major update but due to some bugs, compatibility issues, or glitches during the update, you may notice a drop in your PC performance. That’s why we strongly urge you to keep your PC updated at all times to avoid any potential issues or disruptions.
To check update availability, openWindows Settingsand move to theWindows Updatesection. Once there, you’re able to click on theCheck for updatesbutton.
Maximize Your Gaming Performance on Windows 10 and 11
It can be frustrating if your gameplay always gets ruined because of constant lags and lower picture quality. That’s why we have come up with multiple solutions that would help you figure out the way to optimize your Windows PC for gaming. If things don’t work out, you may tryreinstalling Windowson your PC. This may fix any issues that might be impacting your gaming performance.
Rahul is your go-to guide for fixing Windows, Steam, Android, Samsung TV, and Google Chrome. An engineering college dropout who followed his passion for tech, he brings 3 years of troubleshooting experience and 2+ years of running his own tech blog to the table. When he’s not solving your tech problems, you’ll find him unwinding with the latest anime or K-drama.
