Best Windows 11 Settings for Gaming — Complete Optimization Guide

Windows 11 ships with dozens of features designed for productivity and security — and some background activity may affect gaming on some PCs. Check whether measured frame-time spikes coincide with that activity before changing a setting.

Here are 12 Windows settings to review; keep security protections enabled and test applicable changes individually. Apply them one at a time and measure, because results vary from PC to PC.

1. Enable Game Mode

Game Mode tells Windows to prioritize your game process and prevent Windows Update from installing drivers or restarting during gameplay. Compare the same game scenario with Game Mode enabled and disabled.

2. Keep VBS (Core Isolation) on

Do not turn it off. VBS and Memory Integrity are on by default in Windows 11. Anti-cheats such as FACEIT and Riot Vanguard require them: with VBS off, games like Valorant or FACEIT matches may refuse to start. Disabling it removes a security layer and may prevent games with these requirements from launching. Keep it enabled; its performance effect depends on the system and workload.

3. Enable HAGS (Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling)

HAGS moves part of the GPU work scheduling from the CPU to a scheduler on the GPU. The effect on FPS or latency depends on the game, GPU and driver — turn it on, compare and undo it if it doesn't help.

4. Disable Visual Effects

Transparency effects, animations, and window shadows all consume GPU resources. On lower-end hardware, this can free up meaningful performance.

You can also disable transparency specifically:

5. Disable Notifications During Gaming

Notification popups can cause frame drops and pull focus from fullscreen games. Use Focus Assist to block them automatically.

6. Disable Background Apps

Windows 11 allows UWP apps to run in the background consuming CPU, RAM, and network. Restricting an app's background activity may free resources if that app was actively using them; measure the effect.

Registry (disable all): HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\BackgroundAccessApplications
Set GlobalUserDisabled = 1

7. Disable Memory Compression

Windows 11 compresses inactive memory pages to fit more into RAM. This uses CPU cycles and can cause stutters when the system decompresses pages during gaming.

Disable-MMAgent -MemoryCompression

Restart your PC after running this command. RAM capacity alone does not establish whether disabling compression will help. Compare memory pressure and frame times, and restore the setting if it does not.

8. Disable Xbox Features

Xbox features can perform these tasks when enabled or in use. Check whether background recording is active before testing its removal.

Registry: HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\GameDVR
Set AppCaptureEnabled = 0

Registry: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\GameDVR
Set AllowGameDVR = 0

9. Set Ultimate Performance Power Plan

The default "Balanced" plan dynamically scales CPU frequency to save power. For gaming, a higher-performance plan can reduce clock drops — compare it on your PC.

powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61

Then go to Control Panel → Power Options and select "Ultimate Performance".

10. Disable Search Indexing

While the Windows Search indexer is working, it uses disk and CPU. If your stutters line up with indexer activity, test pausing or limiting indexing on your game drive, compare, and restore it if nothing improves.

11. Clean Up Startup Programs

Check which startup programs remain active and what resources they use during gaming. Disable unnecessary entries individually and compare. The number and purpose of startup entries vary by PC. Review your own list before disabling anything.

12. Defer Windows Updates

Windows Update can download and install updates in the background, causing network and CPU spikes. Deferring updates gives you control over when they happen.