With the rise in popularity of Windows 11, more and more users are upgrading from Windows 10 to this modern operating system. While it offers a more elegant interface, stronger security, and better gaming experience, its default configuration can cause resource wastage on low to mid-range devices.
This guide will systematically introduce a series of performance-boosting tips, while also covering important privacy and security enhancements to make your Windows 11 faster, more stable, and secure.
💻 Devices for Optimization: Low/Mid-tier laptops and desktops | Gaming PCs | Workstations
⏱ Expected Results: 40% faster boot time | 30% less memory usage | More stable gaming FPS
🔧 1. System Performance Boost
1. 🎭 Disable Animations
Restore the Classic Right-Click Menu (Reduce Delay)
Run in PowerShell:
add "HKCU\Software\Classes\CLSID\{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}\InprocServer32" /f /ve
- Path: Settings > Accessibility > Visual Effects > Disable “Animations”
- How it Works: Run the command and log off or restart Explorer (Ctrl+Shift+Esc > Restart Explorer)
- Effect: Reduces UI resource consumption by 15%
2. ⚡ Switch to High-Performance Mode
One-click to Activate Maximum Performance Mode (Admin PowerShell)
Run in PowerShell:
powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61- GUI Settings:
- Search “Adjust Windows appearance and performance” > Choose Best Performance
- Settings > Personalization > Colors > Turn off transparency
- Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Turn off taskbar animations
3. 🖥️ Minimize Background Load
| Optimization Item | Path | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Disable Startup Programs | Task Manager > Startup Apps | 30% faster boot |
| Turn off Widgets | Settings > Personalization > Taskbar | Save 150MB memory |
| Stop SysMain Service | Win+R > services.msc > Disable SysMain | Reduce hard drive usage |
| Disable Xbox Game Bar | Settings > Gaming > Xbox Game Bar | Improve gaming performance by 5-10% |
💾 2. Storage & Disk Optimization
1. 📂 Partition Management Tips
A[Original C Drive] –> B[Compressed Volume]
B –> C[Create New D Drive]
C –> D[Change Default Installation Path]
D –> E[Move Documents/Downloads Folders]
- Tool: Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc)
- Partition Suggestions:
- System Partition: 100-120GB (For SSD)
- Software Installation: D:\Program Files
- Personal Data: D:\Users
2. 🧹 Storage Cleaning Strategy
Deep Cleaning Command (Run as Administrator)
Cleanmgr /sagerun:1 && Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup- Auto Settings:
- Enable Storage Sense: Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense
- Auto Cleanup: Clean Recycle Bin daily, Clean Temporary Files every two weeks
3. ⚙️ Disk Optimization Plan
| Disk Type | Optimization Plan | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| SSD | Auto TRIM | Weekly |
| HDD | Defrag | Monthly |
| Hybrid | Disable Fast Startup | One-time |
🎨 3. Interface & Experience Optimization
1. 🖼️ Simplified Desktop Configuration
Show “This PC” Icon
Run in PowerShell:
add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel" /v "{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f- Visual Optimization Package:
- Lock Screen: Disable all animations and status messages
- Taskbar: Align icons to the left + Set Search Box to “Icons only”
- Start Menu: Disable “Suggested Content”
2. 🎮 Gaming Optimization
Before gaming, do the following:
- Settings > Gaming > Game Mode > Enable
- Settings > Display > Graphics > Enable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling
- Right-click the game.exe > Properties > Compatibility > [Disable Full-Screen Optimization]
- Graphics Control Panel > Manage 3D Settings > Power Mode set to “Maximum Performance”
🔒 4. Security & Privacy Enhancements
1. 🛡 Core Security Settings
| Security Layer | Path | Recommended Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Defender Protection | Windows Security Center | Enable “Controlled Folder Access” |
| Camera Protection | Settings > Privacy > Camera | Turn off unnecessary permissions |
| Location Services | Settings > Privacy > Location | Turn off completely |
| Diagnostic Data | Settings > Privacy > Diagnostics | Send only required data |
2. 🚫 Disable Ads & Tracking
Disable Advertising ID Completely
Run in PowerShell:
add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AdvertisingInfo" /v "Enabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f- Privacy Protection Package:
- Turn off Personalized Ads: Settings > Privacy > General > Turn off all options
- Block App Tracking: Settings > Privacy > Diagnostics > Turn off optional data collection
- Clear Activity History: Settings > Privacy > Activity History > Clear
🧩 5. Advanced Optimization Tips
1. 🔋 Power Settings for Optimal Performance
| Usage Scenario | Recommended Plan | Command to Activate |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop Battery Saving | “Balanced” Mode | powercfg -setactive 381b4222 |
| Gaming/High-Performance | “Ultimate Performance” Mode | powercfg -setactive e9a42b02 |
| Background Rendering | Disable USB Selective Suspend | Device Manager > USB Settings |
2. 🌐 Network Optimization
Optimize TCP Protocol (Run as Administrator)
netsh int tcp set global autotuninglevel=normal
netsh int tcp set global dca=enabled- Recommended DNS:
- For China: 223.5.5.5 (AliDNS) or 119.29.29.29 (TencentDNS)
- For International: 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google)
✅ Effectiveness Check
1. ⏱️ Boot Time Check
- Path: Task Manager → Startup → Check “Last BIOS Time”
- Target Optimization: Boot Time < 15 seconds (For Low/Mid-range devices)
2. 💾 Memory Usage Analysis
- How to Check:
Run PowerShell as Administrator:
Get-Counter '\Memory\Available MBytes'- Target Optimization: Memory usage < 2.5GB in Idle State
3. 🎮 Gaming Performance Test
| Test Item | Recommended Game | Monitoring Metrics |
|---|---|---|
| FPS Stability | CS2 / League of Legends | 1% Low FPS Improvement |
| Load Time | Genshin Impact / Cyberpunk | Reduced Scene Transition Time |
| Stuttering | Elden Ring | Consistent Frame Generation Time |
4. ⚡ System Response Test
Test Method:
- Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc)
- Continuously open 10 File Explorer windows
- Simultaneously launch: Browser + Office + Media Player
- Observe CPU/Disk usage fluctuations in Task Manager
🔧 Maintenance Recommendations
1. 🗓️ Regular Maintenance Plan
| Frequency | Maintenance Task | Command |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Disk Cleanup | Cleanmgr /sagerun:1 |
| Quarterly | System File Check | sfc /scannow |
| Semi-Annually | Deep Clean Update Cache | Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup |
2. 🔄 Post-Update Checklist
- Recheck Privacy Settings (Location/Camera Permissions)
- Verify Right-Click Menu Response Speed
- Run Game Mode Test
- Check if Startup Items Were Re-enabled
3. 🛠️ Recommended Automation Tools
A[Choose Tool] –> B[WinUtil]
A –> C[Optimizer]
B –> D[One-click Optimization]
C –> E[Privacy Strengthening]
D –> F[Monthly Maintenance]
📜 Disclaimer: Backup the registry before making changes (reg export HKCU\Software\MyBackup backup.reg). These optimizations are designed for low to mid-range devices, and high-end machines may not need all of them.
✅ Summary
Windows 11 has a modern design, but this also brings more animations, recommendations, and system services that consume additional resources. By applying the tips in this guide, you can refresh older devices and strike the best balance between visual appeal and smooth performance.
🧩 Efficiency + Security + Lightweight = The Best Windows 11 Experience!