Windows 11 offers a sleek design and some impressive enhancements over its predecessors. However, even the most modern PCs can slow down over time if not properly maintained. Whether you’re a casual user or a power user, applying the right performance optimization strategies can make a noticeable difference in speed, responsiveness, and overall usability. Below are ten expert-recommended tips for optimizing Windows 11, with practical examples for both beginners and advanced users.
1. How Can You Manage Startup Programs Effectively?
Beginner Tip: Disable Unnecessary Startup Apps
Many applications set themselves to launch at startup, which can severely impact boot times. To manage your startup programs:
1. Right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager.
2. Click the Startup tab.
3. Review the list and right-click to disable any non-essential programs (for example, Skype, Spotify, or OneDrive if you don’t use them daily).
Advanced Tip: Use Glary Utilities for Comprehensive Control
Glary Utilities offers an easy Startup Manager that provides more detail about each startup item and allows you to disable or delay startup items with a single click. This tool also rates each item’s impact, helping you make informed decisions.
2. Are Your System Updates Current?
Beginner Tip: Regularly Check for Updates
Microsoft releases frequent updates to fix bugs and improve performance. To check for updates:
1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates and install any available patches.
Advanced Tip: Update Drivers and Third-Party Software
Outdated drivers cause slow performance and compatibility issues. Use Device Manager to update critical drivers, or let Glary Utilities’ Software Update feature scan your system and recommend the latest versions for your hardware and installed applications.
3. How to Keep Your Disk Space Optimized?
Beginner Tip: Run Built-in Disk Cleanup
1. Type Disk Cleanup in the Start menu and open the tool.
2. Select the drive to clean and check boxes for temporary files, Recycle Bin, and system files.
Advanced Tip: Deep Cleaning with Glary Utilities
Glary Utilities’ Disk Cleaner finds and safely removes leftover files, browser caches, logs, and other junk across all user accounts, freeing up valuable space and improving disk performance beyond what the built-in tool can achieve.
4. Should You Defragment or Optimize Your Drives?
Beginner Tip: Use Windows’ Optimize Drives Tool
For traditional hard drives (HDDs), defragmentation can improve access speed.
1. Type Defragment and Optimize Drives in the Start menu.
2. Select your HDD and click Optimize.
Note: For SSDs, Windows will optimize but not defragment the drive.
Advanced Tip: Schedule Regular Maintenance
Use Glary Utilities’ Disk Defrag tool to schedule automatic defragmentation or optimization sessions, ensuring drives remain in top shape without manual intervention.
5. How to Minimize Background Processes?
Beginner Tip: Close Unused Apps
Many apps continue to run in the background, consuming memory and CPU resources. Close apps when not in use, and check the system tray for hidden running programs.
Advanced Tip: Use Glary Utilities’ Process Manager
This advanced tool shows all running processes with detailed resource usage and allows you to terminate resource-heavy background tasks that are slowing down your PC.
6. What About Visual Effects and Animations?
Beginner Tip: Reduce Visual Effects
1. Right-click Start and select System.
2. Go to Advanced system settings > Performance > Settings.
3. Choose Adjust for best performance, or selectively disable specific effects like animations and shadows.
Advanced Tip: Customize for Both Performance and Appearance
After disabling all effects, selectively re-enable the ones you care about (such as smooth fonts), balancing speed with an attractive desktop.
7. How to Optimize Power Settings?
Beginner Tip: Use the High-Performance Power Plan
1. Search Power & sleep settings.
2. Click Additional power settings.
3. Select High performance.
Advanced Tip: Customize Advanced Power Settings
Tweak individual options like processor power management and sleep timers for an optimal balance between power efficiency and maximum speed, especially on laptops.
8. Are You Protecting Against Malware?
Beginner Tip: Run Full Malware Scans
Windows Security offers solid protection. Regularly scan your PC for malware, which can significantly degrade performance.
Advanced Tip: Layer Your Protection
Supplement Windows Defender with Glary Utilities’ Malware Remover for an additional scan and removal of potentially unwanted programs or browser hijackers.
9. Is Your System Registry Healthy?
Beginner Tip: Avoid Manual Registry Edits
Editing the registry can be dangerous if you’re not sure what you’re doing.
Advanced Tip: Use Glary Utilities’ Registry Cleaner
Regularly run the Glary Utilities Registry Cleaner to safely remove invalid or obsolete registry entries, reducing errors and improving boot and application launch times.
10. How to Monitor and Fine-Tune Performance Over Time?
Beginner Tip: Use Task Manager
Open Task Manager to monitor current CPU, memory, disk, and network usage. Look for processes that consistently use high resources.
Advanced Tip: Leverage Glary Utilities’ 1-Click Maintenance and System Monitor
1-Click Maintenance performs a suite of optimization tasks (cleaning, repair, and tune-up) at once. The System Monitor provides real-time analysis to help identify bottlenecks and performance drags.
In Summary
Optimizing Windows 11 performance doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require regular attention and the right tools. Beginners can start with built-in features and gradually adopt utilities like Glary Utilities for deeper, safer, and more effective optimization. Advanced users benefit from greater control, automation, and visibility into what’s really happening under the hood. By following these strategies, you’ll ensure your Windows 11 PC remains fast, efficient, and enjoyable to use, whether for work or play.