Free checklist
A checklist of 15 Windows settings to review and test
This checklist gathers the tweaks that make the biggest difference on Windows 10/11 gaming PCs, organized by time and impact. Almost all of them can be undone (deleting temporary files can't). Go top to bottom.
Want the fast path?
DRX Optimizer runs a diagnosis of your PC and applies tweaks like these, only the ones that fit your hardware, with a restore point first. 200+ tweaks in the catalog.
Download DRX freePart 1 - Quick wins (5 minutes)
Five quick changes that are easy to undo. Results vary from PC to PC, so measure before and after.
1. Turn off Xbox Game Bar
Game Bar captures video in the background even when you are not recording - eats CPU and GPU.
How: Win+I → Gaming → Xbox Game Bar → toggle off.
2. Disable GameDVR
Legacy capture service that stays on even after the Game Bar is off.
How: Regedit → HKEY_CURRENT_USER\System\GameConfigStore → set GameDVR_Enabled = 0.
Full guide: disable GameDVR guide.
3. Set "High performance" power plan (or Ultimate)
The default "Balanced" plan destabilizes CPU clocks during gaming peaks.
How: Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Power Options → select "High performance". To unlock "Ultimate Performance", open CMD as admin and run powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61.
4. Test HAGS on and off
Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling helps on modern GPUs but hurts some older ones. Do not assume - test.
How: Win+I → System → Display → Graphics settings → toggle HAGS, reboot, measure FPS in the same game/map.
5. Turn off unnecessary animations and visual effects
Frees GPU and UI responsiveness - useful when alt-tabbing between game and Discord/browser.
How: Win+R → sysdm.cpl → Advanced → Performance → Settings → "Adjust for best performance".
Part 2 - Cleanup and Windows tweaks (10 minutes)
6. Disable services you do not use
Common ones: Print Spooler (no printer), Fax, Remote Registry, Connected User Experiences.
How: Win+R → services.msc → double-click → "Startup type: Disabled".
Careful: do not touch services you do not recognize. Create a restore point first. Details in Windows 11 debloat.
7. Clear temp files
Accumulated cache slows down game updates and launches, especially on fuller SSDs.
How: Win+R → run %temp%, temp, and prefetch. Select all in each folder, delete (Windows skips files in use).
8. Disable indexing on game drives
Windows Search scans drives in the background. On a game drive, pure waste.
How: right-click the drive → Properties → uncheck "Allow files to have contents indexed" → apply to subfolders.
9. Prioritize the game executable
Forces Windows to keep the game above Discord, browser, OBS, etc.
How: open game, Ctrl+Shift+Esc → Details tab → right-click the .exe → Set priority → "Above normal" (avoid "Real time").
10. Disable Full Screen Optimizations on the game .exe
In competitive games (CS2, Valorant, Apex), Windows' fullscreen optimizations add a frame of latency.
How: right-click the .exe → Properties → Compatibility → check "Disable fullscreen optimizations".
Part 3 - NVIDIA / AMD drivers (5 minutes)
11. NVIDIA: Power Management = Prefer Maximum Performance
By default the driver saves power by oscillating clocks - bad for frametime consistency.
How: NVIDIA Control Panel → Manage 3D settings → Power management mode → "Prefer maximum performance". Apply globally or per-game.
12. NVIDIA: Low Latency Mode = Ultra
Reduces input lag in games where G-Sync/Reflex is not available.
How: same panel, Low Latency Mode → "Ultra". More settings in NVIDIA Control Panel guide.
13. NVIDIA: Texture Filtering Quality = High Performance
Trades far-away texture quality for performance, with minimal visual loss.
14. AMD: Radeon Anti-Lag = On
AMD equivalent of NVIDIA Low Latency Mode. Reduces input lag with no FPS impact.
How: AMD Software → Gaming → Graphics → Anti-Lag → On (or Anti-Lag+ on supported GPUs).
Part 4 - Network (3 minutes)
15. Disable Nagle Algorithm
Nagle buffers small TCP packets - fine for downloads, bad for online games. It only affects games that use TCP; in many games the difference is small.
How: open regedit, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces. Find the subkey with your IP in DhcpIPAddress or IPAddress. Create two DWORDs: TcpAckFrequency = 1 and TCPNoDelay = 1.
Step-by-step with screenshots: lower ping for gaming.
Done? Want the rest checked for you?
DRX Optimizer runs a diagnosis, shows only what applies to your PC and creates a restore point before applying anything. The free version already includes the Recommended profile.
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