7 Things to Disable in Windows 11 for Better Gaming Performance
Windows 11 hasn’t done much to enhance gaming performance over its predecessor. Sure, it has introduced gaming-orientated Auto HDR, DirectStorage, and Game Pass features. However, many players have complained about significant frame rate drops and stuttering in games after upgrading to Windows 11.
Some built-in Windows 11 features and tools can negatively impact gaming performance in various ways. Disabling some of those features can enhance gaming performance. These are several things to disable for better gaming performance in Windows 11.
1. Memory Integrity
Memory Integrity is a security feature for protecting processes from malicious code and verifying drivers have been signed. However, Microsoft has confirmed Memory Integrity to be one of two features that can spoil gaming performance in Windows 11. This is how you can disable Memory Integrity:
2. SuperFetch
SuperFetch (otherwise SysMain) is a service that preloads frequently used apps into system memory. Frequently utilized apps can start faster with that feature enabled. Yet, Superfetch is of little to no benefit for gaming. It’s a background service that consumes some system resources that would be better reserved for games. To turn off that feature, open our guide fordisabling SuperFetch on Windows.
3. Virtual Machine Platform
Virtual Machine Platform is another thing Microsoft has cited impacts gaming performance in Windows 11. The VMP feature provides virtual machine (virtualization) services. If you don’t utilize virtualization software, such as VMWare or VirtualBox, that’s probably not a feature you need to have enabled. You can disable the Virtual Machine Platform as follows:
4. PreFetch
PreFetch is a similar data caching feature to SuperFetch. The system resource usage of PreFetch is relatively negligible. However, it can cause higher disk drive activity when you’re playing games. This is how you could disable PreFetch by editing the registry in the following steps:
5. Superfluous Background Apps and Services
Microsoft and third-party background apps and services more significantly deplete RAM and other system resources games need. Windows 11 has numerous built-in apps with processes that run in the background unless you turn them off. Windows Security is one background app you may need to keep enabled, but it’s safe to disable many of them. You can individually select to turn off (suspend) background apps in Settings like this:
Aside from turning off background apps, you can remove unneeded services from the system startup. Many third-party programs have their own services that will start with Windows unless disabled. This is how you can disable superfluous third-party services:
It’s also recommended users disable some startup programs. They become background apps when they automatically start. Some startup items can even conflict with games.
To disable startup programs, bring up Task Manager by pressingCtrl+Shift+Esc. Select Startup at the top of the Task Manager window. Then right-click the items listed there and selectDisableto remove them from the startup.
6. Nagle’s Algorithm
Nagle’s Algorithm is an algorithm that reduces data packets sent for the sake of enhancing network efficiency. However, that’s not so great for multiplayer games that play better without bundled data packets. Nagle’s Algorithm causes network latency, which amounts to more stuttering when playing multiplayer shooters. You can disable Nagle’s Algorithm like this:
7. Mouse Acceleration
Mouse acceleration (otherwise pointer precision) enables bigger cursor movements dependent on how quickly you accelerate your mouse. It’s supposed to enhance mouse precision, but in many respects does the opposite when playing action games since quickly accelerating the mouse can throw the cursor across the screen. So, many players prefer to disable mouse acceleration for better cursor target control.
A selectedEnhance pointer precisionsetting on the Mouse Pointers window enables Mouse acceleration. Our guide fordisabling mouse acceleration on Windowsincludes instructions for turning off that feature.
Disable These Things for a Better Experience Gaming on Windows 11
Windows 11 has not been the best-ever Windows gaming platform Microsoft has claimed for many players. Disabling the things above will at least improve various aspects of gaming performance in Windows 11 by variable degrees. However, remember that your PC’s hardware is the most important determining factor for gaming performance. So, check the recommended system requirements for games before purchasing them.
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