Windows Settings You Should Change Right Now for Better Speed

Hello everyone! 🖐 Ever feel like your Windows PC isn't running as fast as it should? You're definitely not alone! Many of us don't realize that a few simple setting tweaks can make a huge difference in how snappy and smooth our computers feel. In today’s post, we're diving into the top Windows settings you should change right now to boost performance — no tech expertise required! Let’s walk through each one step by step. 🛠

Turn Off Visual Effects

Windows offers beautiful animations and effects, but they can slow down performance — especially on older or budget devices. To adjust this setting:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type SystemPropertiesPerformance and hit Enter.
  3. In the Performance Options window, choose "Adjust for best performance" or manually deselect effects you don’t need.
Turning off visual effects makes a noticeable difference in speed — apps open faster, and the UI feels more responsive. Tip: If you still want some aesthetic, keep “Smooth edges of screen fonts” checked.

Disable Startup Programs

Does your PC take forever to boot up? One of the most common culprits is too many apps running at startup. Here’s how to fix it:

  1. Right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager.
  2. Click on the Startup tab.
  3. Look through the list and disable apps you don’t use immediately upon startup. Right-click & choose Disable.
Be cautious not to disable essential security software. Apps like Spotify, Zoom, or cloud sync tools can usually wait until later. Less clutter at boot = faster startup and smoother experience!

Adjust Power Plan Settings

Windows often defaults to a “Balanced” power plan, which conserves energy — but can limit performance. To change this:

  1. Go to Control Panel → Power Options.
  2. Select High performance or Ultimate performance (if available).
Note: “High performance” mode tells your hardware to prioritize speed, ideal for demanding apps or multitasking. Laptop users should be aware this may use more battery — but the speed gains are worth it in many cases!

Clean Up Background Apps

Some apps keep running in the background even after you close them, eating up memory and CPU. Here’s how to clean them up:

  1. Open Settings → Privacy → Background apps.
  2. Turn off unnecessary apps you don’t need running all the time.
Disabling these apps can help with battery life and overall speed, especially on devices with limited RAM. Bonus Tip: You can also check in Task Manager for running processes and close resource-heavy ones manually.

Free Up Disk Space

A full hard drive can seriously slow your system. Luckily, Windows includes tools to help you clear clutter. To free up space:

  1. Open Settings → System → Storage.
  2. Click on Temporary files and remove unnecessary files like cached updates, thumbnails, etc.
  3. Turn on Storage Sense to automate this process going forward.
If your main drive (usually C:) is near full, your system will struggle with even basic tasks. Tip: Consider moving large media files to external storage or cloud services.

Keep Drivers and Windows Updated

Outdated drivers or missing Windows updates can cause lag, crashes, or incompatibility issues. Stay up to date:

  1. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update.
  2. Click Check for updates and install everything available.
  3. For drivers, right-click Start → Device Manager → check key components (display, network) for updates.
Manufacturers often release performance fixes, so updating your system ensures optimal speed and stability. Don’t ignore update notifications — they often carry essential improvements!

Wrapping Up

Thanks for sticking around to the end! 🎉 As you can see, improving your PC’s speed isn’t just about buying new hardware. Just a few thoughtful changes in Windows settings can work wonders. Start with one or two adjustments today, and you’ll likely notice a smoother, faster experience right away. If you found this helpful, share it with friends or leave a comment — we’d love to hear how it worked for you!

Related Resources

Tags

Windows, Performance, Speed Tips, Settings, Optimization, PC Maintenance, Tech Tips, System Tweaks, Laptop Guide, Productivity

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