Windows 10/11 optimization guide for 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.

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

1) Installing Windows updates

Check for updates- Select the Start button, then select Settings  > Update & Security  > Windows Update  > Check for updates

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 according to the pictures below
-The options I disable to optimize are the ones I recommend. Don't blindly follow what I do if you use: OneDrive, Cortana, one drive then don't select that option
-Other tabs are not important just leave them

                                                                                     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

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.

Follow this video-

 https://youtu.be/cfx5JYcg5BA

Credit for video guide- Panjno (Youtube)

6) Delete temporary files

• Press the Windows logo and R keys.
• Type %temp%
• Press Enter key.
• Delete everything in the Temp folder

• Again, Simultaneously press the Windows logo and R keys.
• Type temp
• Press Enter key.
• Delete everything in the folder

• Again, Simultaneously press the Windows logo and R keys.
• Type prefetch
• Press Enter key.
• Delete everything in the Prefetch folder

(Some files may not be deleted in these folders that case press skip)

Finally, empty the Recycle Bin

7) Use static picture as wallpaper or solid background

Make Windows 10/11  not change wallpapers while gaming.
If you have slideshow running in Windows 10/11 background, that also changes the system accent colors when the wallpaper does, this causes the PC to drop a few FPS for a few seconds, freezes, stuttering.
Use static picture as wallpaper or for best performance use black solid background.

To do this- Select the Start  button, then select Settings > Personalization.
In Background, Use the drop-down menu under “Background” in the main windows to choose whether to use a picture, or solid color as a wallpaper

8) Clean re-install of graphics drivers with DDU Uninstaller

Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) is a driver removal tool that can help you completely remove AMD (ATI), NVIDIA and Intel graphics drivers from your system, without leaving leftovers behind (such as registry keys, folders, files, driver store). Over time these leftover files can cause compatibility issues, such as drivers failing to install, reducing performance or system crashes/freezes. By using DDU you can remove these leftovers and solve many common issues related with GPU drivers.

Note: These instructions in this post are for NVIIDA Cards but the steps are the same for AMD or Intel Graphics Cards.

Follow these instructions-
-First download the newest drivers for your graphics cards from the manufacturer site:
Nvidia- https://www.nvidia.in/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-in
Amd- https://www.amd.com/en/support
-Download the newest version of DD from here.
-Take your device offline (This means, cut the Internet connection for the device you want to clean install the drivers on).
-Go to your Download folder then Double click on the file “DDU .exe"
-Click on three dots select desktop path and Extract it
(DDU folder will be created on your desktop after extract)
-Now Start your pc in safe mode
Start your PC in safe mode in Windows 10 (microsoft.com)
-After safe mode manually, open the “DDU” folder and Double click on “Display Driver Uninstaller.exe
-Choose “GPU” in the first drop-down-Menu
-Choose “NVIDIA” in the second drop-down-Menu
(if you have an AMD or Intel card, choose accordingly).
-Click on “Clean and restart – Highly recommended“
(DDU will now remove the drivers completely and reboot your computer in normal mode)
-Close all unneeded background programs and deactivate the real-time protection from settings
-Install the Nvidia/Amd drivers you have downloaded in starting
-Reboot your Computer > Reactivate your internet connection > Done

9) Nvidia Control Panel Settings

-Open NVIDIA Control Panel under 3D Settings
-Go to the Adjust image settings with preview tab.
-Click the “Use my preference emphasizing“ (If you have a mid&high end pc, Let the 3D application decide)
-Put the bar in Performance mode then click on apply
-Go to Manage 3D Settings then Select Global Settings tab then click on restore and follow these below settings for best performance (Don't change anything else)
-Select High Performance Nvidia Processor under preferred graphics processor

Settings:-

Image sharpening→Turn ON and select the Sharpen level to 0.50 and the Ignore film grain to 0.17
Ambient occlusion→Turn ON and select it to Performance
Low Latency mode→Turn ON for higher FPS and lower Input lag.
Max Frame Rate→Turn OFF (if not by default)
OpenGL Rendering GPU→Select your NVIDIA Graphics Card
Power Management mode→ Prefer Maximum Performance
Preferred Refresh rate→ Highest Available
Texture Filtering - Anisotropic Samples→Turn ON
Texture filtering - Quality→Select High Performance
Vertical Sync→OFF
Virtual Reality Pre - Rendered Frames→Set value 1

-Now click on apply

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.

   

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 !!!