Introduction

Windows 11 brought a fresh look, but sometimes it feels sluggish out of the box. Optimizing these hidden settings can dramatically improve boot times and application responsiveness, especially on older hardware.

Adjusting Startup Apps

Go to Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and navigate to the 'Startup apps' tab. Disable anything non-essential. These programs unnecessarily consume RAM and CPU cycles every time you boot.

Optimizing Visual Effects

For maximum performance on lower-end machines, adjust visual effects. Search for 'Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows,' select 'Adjust for best performance,' and click apply.

Disabling Unnecessary Background Apps

Windows 11 allows apps to run in the background. Navigate to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select an app, click 'Advanced options,' and set background app permissions to 'Never.'

Storage Sense Automation

Keep your drive clean automatically. Enable Storage Sense in Settings > System > Storage. This feature deletes temporary files and empties the recycle bin regularly.

Conclusion

By implementing these ten tweaks, your Windows 11 experience will feel significantly smoother. Regular maintenance is key to long-term speed.