Windows 10/11 optimization guide for gaming

GAMING6698
GAMING6698 ACE Posts: 8,837 Trailblazer
edited April 21 in Nitro Gaming

Even though Windows 10/11 keeps getting faster and leaner, and hardware more capable, eventually, the performance of your computer will slow down due to a lot of factors. Pc in today's world have been upgraded with Smarter operating system and advanced hardware. Yet slow performance and sluggishness still remain the biggest problem for computer users. No matter how smart your Operating System is, it still requires a few tweaks  to optimize Windows 10/11 performance.


How does this guide going to affect your PC you may ask?
*More FPS in games, less shuttering
*overall better performance
*Less resource-intensive
*Reduce input lag
*Makes your windows highly responsive 

🔴: Before starting it is recommended to create a system restore point
-In the search box on the taskbar, type Create a restore point and select it from the list of results.
-On the System Protection tab in System Properties, select Create.
The System Protection tab in System Properties
-The System Protection tab in System Properties
-Type a description for the restore point, and then select Create > OK.

🔴:if something goes wrong, you can run System Restore and point it to a recent restore point

1) Update Windows Safely Without Performance Loss

Step 1: Check for Updates and Take a Screenshot

  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
  • Click Check for updates to display all available updates.
  • Immediately take a screenshot of the full list of available updates.
    • Use Windows + Print Screen to save a screenshot automatically, or Windows + Shift + S to use the Snip & Sketch tool for more control.
  • This record will help you research each update individually.

Step 2: Pause All Updates Immediately

  • After checking for updates and taking your screenshot, use the Pause updates feature to stop Windows from installing updates automatically.
    • In Windows 10/11, you can pause updates for long time.
  • This gives you time to decide which updates to install manually and prevents unwanted changes.
  • I recommend checking for new updates after a month or later. Then you all these steps again.

Step 3: Research Each Update

  • For every update listed in your screenshot, search online (using the KB number or update name) to find:
    • Official Microsoft documentation
    • User reports and forums about performance impact or issues
  • Only consider updates that are confirmed to improve performance or are critical for security without affecting performance.

Step 4: Hide Problematic Updates

Step 5: Manually Download and Install Approved Updates

  • For updates you have approved (those that improve performance or are essential), go to the Microsoft Update Catalog.
    • Enter the KB number or update name in the search box. (Number and name will be exact same shown in windows update)
    • Download the update file directly from the catalog.
    • Once downloaded, double-click the file to install the update manually.
  • This method ensures you only install updates that you have vetted and chosen, minimizing performance risks.
  • If you have hide problematic update or those update which will degrade performance using above tool i mention then you can also resume windows update as those update you hide will not show. But still I recommend installing update manually because it fastest option and bug free unlike windows update where download can be stuck or slow.

This process gives you full control: you only install updates that are beneficial, and you avoid those that could harm performance.

Important Note for Future Updates

  • When you want to update Windows again—whether in a month or later—repeat this process to avoid performance issues and other problems.
  • Always check for new updates, review them carefully, and manually download/install only those updates confirmed to be beneficial.
  • Staying proactive helps keep your system secure and performance without unnecessary risks.

Recommended Frequency: Every 1 to 2 Months

  • Check for new updates about once a month if you want to stay reasonably up to date with security patches and performance improvements without being overwhelmed.
  • If your system is very stable and you’re confident in your update process, you can extend this to every 6-8 weeks.
  • For business-critical or security-sensitive environments, checking monthly is ideal.

Note on Driver Updates included in windows update

For driver updates, excluding GPU driver updates, you can install them directly from the Acer support page or allow Windows to update them automatically after hiding any problematic updates using the Show or Hide Updates tool. Once you have finished updating Windows, consider pausing updates for a month or longer if you prefer. Then, perform a clean installation of your GPU drivers, as Windows Update often installs older versions rather than the latest drivers.

For best results with GPU drivers, I recommend using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Safe Mode to cleanly uninstall both your integrated GPU (iGPU) and dedicated GPU (dGPU) drivers—uninstall each one separately.

How to uninstall GPU drivers using DDU:

I. Download and extract DDU from the official website.

II. Restart your PC in Safe Mode.

III. Open DDU and select the GPU type you want to uninstall (Integrated or Dedicated).

IV. Click “Clean and restart” to completely remove the driver and reboot your system.

V. Repeat the process for the other GPU driver.

After uninstalling, install the latest AMD or NVIDIA drivers from official AMD/Nvidia support page. In case you have Intel iGPU, then download and install the specific Intel VGA driver for your laptop model from Acer’s support page. Be sure to install the iGPU driver first, followed by the dGPU driver.

2) Optimizer Tool Settings

-Download optimizer tool from below link
https://github.com/hellzerg/optimizer/releases (Under Assets Click on Optimizer.exe to download)

-Open Optimizer and apply the settings as shown in the pictures below for best optimization.

If you use any feature that I've disabled in the image (for example, OneDrive or Print Service), do not disable it then.

-You can skip the other tabs—they are not important and can be left as they are.                                                                                Universal tab

                                                                                Windows 10\11 tab

-Close the program after completing

3) O&O ShutUp 10++ settings 

O&O ShutUp 10++ is one of the most popular software that gives you the ability to disable any and all available Windows 10/11 telemetry.
This app great improve system performance and enhance privacy.

-Download this tool from below link
https://www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10
-Open this app as administrator and apply the settings according to the pictures below 






4) Turn off visual effects

- Hold window key and press R
-Now under run window type sysdm.cpl ,3 and press enter

-Under the advanced tab in the performance, category click on settings then select ''Custom'' and follow below image

-Now navigate to startup and recovery> click on settings> untick ''time to display list of the operating system'' > ok
-Finally, go to remote tab then click on advanced> untick ''Allow this computer to be controlled remotely'' > ok then untick ''Allow Remote Assistance connection to this computer'' > apply> ok>  restart later 

🔴(Also under scheduled optimization make sure it is set to off (untick run on a scheduled)

5) Disable Game bar completely

On both windows 11 and windows 10 Game bar cause random Fps drops and stutters. Even after disabling it from settings, it runs in background and ruined our gaming experience. Those who want to fix this can follow below youtube video which is very easy to apply and easy to revert back.

First, disable the Xbox Game Bar from Windows settings by pressing Windows key + I. Navigate to the Gaming section and select Xbox Game Bar. Toggle the switch to Off. Now, the most crucial part is to follow the instructions in the video:                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfx5JYcg5BA

Credit for video guide- Panjno (Youtube)


6) Disabling Common Gaming Overlays: Why and How

Why disable overlays?

Overlays from Nvidia, Steam, AMD, Discord, and Intel can cause significant performance issues, including:

  • FPS Drops: Overlays can reduce frame rates, leading to less smooth gameplay.
  • Stutters: They can cause intermittent freezes or stutters, disrupting the gaming experience.
  • Resource Drain: Overlays consume system resources, even when not actively used, affecting overall performance.

Steps to Disable Overlays:

AMD Overlay

I. Open Radeon Software: Press ALT + R or right-click on the desktop and select "AMD Radeon Software."
II. Access Settings: Click the gear icon in the top right corner.
III. Disable Overlay: Go to "Preferences" > "General" and toggle off "In-Game Overlay".

NVIDIA Overlay

I. Open GeForce Experience: Launch the NVIDIA GeForce Experience app.
II. Access Settings: Click on the gear icon.
III. Disable Overlay: Look for settings related to NVIDIA ShadowPlay/Share/overlay and toggle them off.

Steam Overlay

I. Open Steam: Launch the Steam client.
II. Access Settings: Click "Steam" > "Settings" (or "Preferences" on macOS).
III. Disable Overlay: Uncheck "Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game" under the "In-Game" tab.

Discord Overlay

I. Open Discord: Launch the Discord app.
II. Access Settings: Click the gear icon next to your username.
III. Disable Overlay: Go to "Overlay" under "Appearance" and toggle off "Enable in-game overlay".

Important Note: After reinstalling these applications or updating them, the overlays will likely be re-enabled. You will need to manually disable them again. Additionally, due to frequent updates, the exact location to disable overlays might change, but the option should always be available. Be sure to check for it and disable the overlay as needed.


7) Use a Static Wallpaper for Better Performance

Animated wallpapers or slideshow can cause minor performance drops during gaming ss they consume system resources like CPU and GPU.

  • How to Change:
    I. Click the Start button.
    II. Select Settings > Personalization.
    III. Choose a static Picture or Solid color under Background. A black background is optimal for performance.

8) Optimizing Steam for Enhanced Performance

By optimizing Steam, you can improve its performance, reduce resource usage, and ensure smoother gameplay, especially on low and mid-end systems. One of the most important step.

I. In-Game Settings

  • Navigate to Settings > In-Game:
    • Disable Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game to reduce memory usage.
    • Set the In-Game FPS Counter to "Off"
    • If using a controller, you might need to enable Use Big Picture Overlay when using a controller for better control, but this can be disabled if not needed for performance.

II. Interface Settings

  • Go to Settings > Interface:
    • Disable Enable smooth scrolling in web views to reduce CPU usage.
    • Enable:
      • Scale text and icons for better readability.
      • GPU accelerated rendering in web views for faster navigation.
      • Hardware decoding for improved performance during video playback.
    • Uncheck Notify me about additions or changes to my games.
    • Ensure Start Steam in Big Picture Mode is unchecked if you prefer the regular interface.

III. Library Settings

  • Navigate to the Library tab:
    • Enable Low Bandwidth Mode to minimize data usage.
    • Enable Low Performance Mode to reduce system resource consumption.

IV. Remote Play Settings

  • Open the Remote Play section:
    • Uncheck Enable Remote Play if you don’t use this feature.

V. Friends and Chat Settings

  • Click on the Friends & Chat icon then access its settings:
    • Disable Animated avatars and Animated avatar frames in your friends List and Chat.
    • Turn on Disable spell check in chat message entry.
    • Turn on Disable animated room effects for a simpler chat interface.

VI. Notifications

  • Go to Settings > Notifications:
    • Disable all unnecessary notifications by setting them to "Never." This includes friend notifications, achievements, and other events to avoid distractions and potential performance drops.

VII. Music Settings

  • Navigate to the Music section:
    • Turn off high-quality audio files and notifications if not needed.

These adjustments help reduce Steam’s memory and CPU usage, improve game loading times, minimize stutters, and enhance overall system performance. Additionally, they ensure a smoother experience tailored for modern systems.

Important Note : After optimizing these settings, remember that reinstalling Steam or updating it may re-enable some of these settings. Therefore, it is crucial to re-check these settings after any major updates or reinstallation to maintain optimal performance. Regularly reviewing these settings will ensure that your Steam client continues to run efficiently.

9) Disabling Unnecessary NVIDIA Services for Performance

Disabling certain NVIDIA services can improve system performance by reducing CPU usage and background resource consumption, especially during gaming sessions. For example, the NVIDIA Telemetry Container has been observed to increase CPU utilization by 3–7% during gameplay, contributing to frame-time inconsistencies.

I. Open Services: Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.

II. Disable Services:

  • NVIDIA Streamer Service
  • NVIDIA Telemetry Container
  • NVIDIA Streamer Network Service
  • NVIDIA Streamer User Agent
  • NVIDIA Capture Server Proxy
  • NVIDIA Network Service

III. Right-click each, set Startup type to Disabled, and click Stop if running.

IV. Apply Changes: Click Apply and OK for each service.

Important Note: Avoid disabling NVIDIA streamer services if you use features like GameStream or ShadowPlay. Although disabling this service can give huge improvement. If you rely on NVIDIA GeForce Experience or Control Panel for network updates or related network tasks, avoid disabling the network and proxy services, as this might affect their functionality. If these services are not important to you, disabling them can improve performance. We use DDU uninstaller for clean driver reinstallation, which makes it unnecessary to keep network services enabled. Also, remember that reinstalling or updating GPU drivers may re-enable these services, so you will need to repeat these steps after updates to maintain your preferred settings.

10) Closing browsers from running in background 

All browsers like Microsoft Edge, Chrome, opera keeps running in background on startup and taking RAM/CPU usage which affects gaming sometime 

To stop browsers from running in the background after it's closed, use these steps:

  1. Open your browser whichever you use like Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Opera, etc
  2. Click the Settings and more (three-dotted) button from the top-right.
  3. Select the Settings option.
  4. Click on System or advanced settings

  5. Turn off the Continue running background apps when Microsoft Edge is closed toggle switch.

    Microsoft Edge disable background processes option

11) Disabling Problematic Gaming Features

Disable Game Mode to Reduce Stutters

Game Mode in Windows is intended to improve gaming performance, but on mid-to-high-end systems, it can actually cause significant stuttering and frame drops. This feature often interferes with how your system allocates resources, leading to worse performance rather than better.  

Recommendation:
Turn off Game Mode to avoid these issues. You can test it yourself to see the difference, but I strongly recommend disabling it as part of your game optimization process.  

How to Disable Game Mode:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Gaming > Game Mode.
  3. Toggle Game Mode to Off.

After disabling, restart your game and observe the performance improvements. Many users report smoother gameplay and fewer stutters after turning off this feature. 

Important Additional Guidance: Refer to Microsoft's guide for optimizing gaming performance in Windows 11, which is also relevant for Windows 10 users despite microsoft only mentioned windows 11 in title: Options to optimize gaming performance in Windows 11.

Here are some real examples of how following above link provided by Microsoft which includes disabling Memory Integrity and Virtual Machine Platform (VMP) can improve gaming performance:

  • Cyberpunk 2077: Some players reported a 5-10 FPS increase after disabling Memory Integrity, which helped reduce stuttering and improve overall gameplay smoothness.
  • Forza Horizon 5: Users noticed a slight improvement in frame rates, around 3-5 FPS, after disabling these features, which contributed to a more stable gaming experience.
  • Assassin's Creed Odyssey: Disabling VMP and Memory Integrity resulted in fewer frame drops and a more consistent performance for some players, enhancing their gaming experience.

Apply Changes: A restart is required to fully apply these changes. However, you can continue following the rest of the guide and restart your computer later to apply all optimizations at once.

12) MSI Mode for GPU 

Enabling MSI mode for your GPU improves gaming by reducing input lag and fixing FPS drops and stutters caused by GPU usage dips. It allows the GPU to handle interrupts more efficiently than the older PCI method, resulting in smoother and more stable gameplay. This also lowers CPU workload, frees up system resources, and makes your PC more responsive overall, both in games and everyday use. It’s a simple change that can significantly boost performance.

To enable MSI mode for your GPU you will be using MSI mode utility v3. This program is free, and can be downloaded from the following link:- MSI_util_v3 (mediafire.com)
  • First, open MSI Mode Utility v3. Right-click on MSI Mode Utility v3 and select "Run as administrator."
  • Look for your NVIDIA/AMD GPU on the left column
  • Under "supported modes", look to see if it reads "Msi"
  • If it shows Msi is a supported mode, check the box under the MSI column (If Msi is not next to your Gpu under supported mode then don't follow this step otherwise you will not able to boot)
  • Change "interrupt priority" to High
  • Press Apply at the top-right of the window
Everything shown in below image you can easily check- 


Reboot your PC for this change to take effect.

Important Note:

  • If your system has two GPUs, set the interrupt priority of both GPUs to High.
  • This setting resets whenever you reinstall or update your GPU driver, so you need to follow this step again each time you reinstall or update your GPU driver.

Now restart your laptop and enjoy it!
Let me know in the comments below your results or if you have any questions and don't forget to like if this guide is helpful !!!
windows 10/11 optimization guide for gaming 
Windows 10/11 optimization guide for gaming — Acer Community

My AN515-43 laptop UserBenchmark-
https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/51514566
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