Many people who switch to Windows 11 notice a slight dip in speed compared to Windows 10. We all want the latest features and that sleek new UI, but nobody wants to deal with lag or freezing.
The good news? You don’t always need a hardware upgrade to get that “snappy” feeling back. Before you run out to buy more RAM, try these simple tweaks to Speed Up Windows 11 and keep system running like a pro.
Watch the full video walkthrough on the Net Admin HUB YouTube channel:
1. Disable Transparency Effects
Windows 11 looks great with its glass-like transparency, but those effects eat up hardware resources. If you prioritize speed over aesthetics, turning this off is a quick win.
- Go to Settings > Personalization > Colors.
- Toggle Transparency effects to Off.
2. Optimize Visual Effects
Windows tries to animate everything—from opening windows to fading menus. You can tell Windows to stop trying so hard and focus on performance instead.
- Search for “Advanced System Settings” in the Start menu.
- Under Performance, click Settings.
- Select Adjust for best performance.
- Pro Tip: I usually keep “Show thumbnails instead of icons” and “Smooth edges of screen fonts” checked so things don’t look too ugly!
3. Clean Up Your Startup
If your PC takes forever to boot, it’s probably because too many apps are trying to start at the same time.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Startup.
- Turn off everything you don’t need immediately (like OneDrive, Spotify, or Steam). Your PC will feel much lighter the next time you turn it on.
4. Manage Background Apps
Some apps keep running even when you aren’t using them. To stop them from sucking your CPU dry:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
- Click the three dots next to an app, go to Advanced options, and set Background apps permissions to Never.
5. Switch to High Performance Power Plan
By default, Windows is “Balanced” to save energy. If you’re on a desktop or plugged-in laptop, let’s unleash the full power.
- Search for “Choose a power plan” in the Start menu.
- Select High Performance (or Best Performance).
- In Advanced power settings, make sure your Maximum processor state is set to 100%.
6. Storage Sense & Temp Files
Temporary files are like digital clutter. Windows can clean them up for you automatically.
- Go to Settings > System > Storage.
- Turn on Storage Sense. It will automatically delete files in your recycle bin or downloads folder that haven’t been touched in weeks.
7. The Hardware Maintenance: Defrag & Trim
If you have an SSD (which most Windows 11 users do), you don’t “defragment”—you Optimize.
- Search for “Defragment and Optimize Drives.”
- Select your drive and click Optimize. If you have an old HDD, this tool will defrag it, which significantly speeds up file access.
Summary of Speed Up Windows 11 Tips
| Category | Action | Why it helps? |
| Visuals | Disable Transparency | Frees up GPU/CPU resources |
| Boot Time | Clean Startup Apps | Faster login and less background lag |
| Power | High Performance Plan | Ensures CPU runs at max speed |
| Cleanup | Storage Sense | Removes digital “junk” automatically |
Final Thoughts
Improving your Windows experience doesn’t always require a technician. Often, it’s just about turning off the “fluff” that Microsoft enables by default. Try these steps, and you’ll likely see those freezing issues disappear.
Got a favorite Windows 11 tip that I missed? Let me know in the comments below! And don’t forget to check out NetAdminHub YouTube if you’re looking for more deep-dives into networking and system admin.
