Computer performance is a crucial factor in the user experience. Even the most modern operating system, Windows 11, can slow down over time. In this article, we will explore the primary methods for optimizing Windows 11 Pro to improve system speed and stability. Whether you recently decided to download Windows 11 Pro or have been using it for a while, these optimization techniques can help enhance your system’s performance.
Updating Windows and Drivers
One of the main recommendations is to keep the system up-to-date. Regular Windows updates fix bugs, address security vulnerabilities, and often improve performance. To check for updates, navigate to “Settings” → “Windows Update” and click “Check for updates”.
Equally important is maintaining current device drivers. Hardware manufacturers regularly release updated versions that improve stability and performance. This is especially true for graphics adapters. You can check for new drivers through the “Device Manager” by right-clicking on a component and selecting “Update driver”.
Disabling Notifications to Improve Performance
While notifications in Windows 11 can be useful, an excess can reduce system performance. Constant pop-up windows not only distract but also consume system resources.
To disable unnecessary notifications:
- Open Windows 11 “Settings”.
- Select “System” → “Notifications”.
This page provides full control over notifications. You can disable them completely or configure them individually for each application.
It is recommended to pay attention to the following settings:
- Disabling notifications for unused applications.
- Turning off notification sounds.
- Hiding notifications when screen sharing.
To improve focus and productivity, consider enabling “Do Not Disturb” mode. This mode can be activated manually or scheduled, for example, during work hours.
Disabling unnecessary notifications will improve system performance and help focus on significant tasks without unnecessary distractions.
Managing Startup Applications
Many installed programs may automatically launch with Windows, slowing down system startup. To prevent this, disable the autostart of unnecessary applications:
- Open “Task Manager” using the Ctrl+Shift+Esc key combination.
- Go to the “Startup” tab.
- Right-click on unnecessary programs and select “Disable”.
Keep only essential applications — such as antivirus software or device drivers.
Cleaning the Disk of Unnecessary Files
During computer use, numerous temporary and unnecessary files accumulate on the disk, taking up space. To remove them, you can use the built-in “Disk Cleanup” utility:
- Open “File Explorer” and right-click on the C: drive.
- Select “Properties,” then on the “General” tab, click “Disk Cleanup”.
- Check the types of files you want to delete and click “OK”.
Furthermore, uninstall unused applications through “Settings” → “Apps” → “Apps & Features”. Regularly clean the “Downloads” folder and the Recycle Bin of unnecessary files.
A useful feature of Windows 11 is “Storage Sense”. It automatically removes unnecessary temporary files and empties the Recycle Bin on a set schedule. You can configure it in “Settings” → “System” → “Storage”.
Optimizing Visual Effects
Visual effects, such as transparency and animations, look appealing but can reduce system responsiveness. Disabling excess effects will speed up Windows 11, especially on lower-end computers:
- Open “System Properties” by typing sysdm.cpl in the search bar.
- Go to the “Advanced” tab and click “Settings” under “Performance”.
- Set the switch to “Adjust for best performance” or manually configure settings by disabling unnecessary effects.
You can also disable interface transparency and animation effects in “Settings” → “Accessibility” → “Visual Effects”.
Disk Defragmentation and Optimization
On hard disk drives (HDDs), data fragmentation occurs over time — files become “scattered” across the disk, slowing access. The built-in defragmentation utility addresses this issue:
- Open “File Explorer” and right-click on the desired drive.
- Go to the “Tools” tab and click “Optimize”.
- Select the drive from the list and click “Analyze”. If fragmentation exceeds 10%, click “Optimize”.
In the disk optimization window, you can set up automatic defragmentation on a schedule. It is recommended to perform this at least once a month.
For SSD drives, TRIM optimization is used instead of defragmentation. Windows 11 performs this automatically once a week, so no additional action is required.
Hardware Upgrade
Sometimes, significant performance improvement requires hardware modernization. Upgrading RAM to 8–16 GB will ensure more comfortable work with multiple applications and browser tabs. Replacing an old HDD with a modern SSD will significantly increase system and application startup speeds.
A CPU upgrade may be necessary for resource-intensive tasks like video editing or gaming. When choosing a new CPU, consider compatibility with the motherboard and sufficient power supply capacity.
The main rule of upgrading is balance. The ideal combination is a powerful processor, 16 GB of RAM, and a fast SSD.
Built-in Windows 11 Monitoring Tools
Windows 11 offers a set of built-in utilities for performance monitoring and problem diagnostics:
- “Task Manager” (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) allows monitoring of processor, memory, disk, and network usage in real-time.
- “Reliability Monitor” (Win+R → perfmon /rel) tracks system and application failures, helping to identify stability issues.
- “Resource Monitor” (Win+R → perfmon) provides detailed information about the operation of all Windows subsystems and services.
Furthermore, pay attention to power settings in “Settings” → “System” → “Power & Sleep”. The “Best performance” mode will increase performance but increase power consumption. A reasonable compromise is the “Balanced” scheme.
Conclusion
Optimizing Windows 11 Pro is an ongoing process that requires regular execution. To keep the system in shape, periodically check for updates, clean the disk, monitor autostart applications, and use monitoring tools. Proper optimization combined with sensible upgrades will fully unlock the potential of Windows 11 Pro and make working on your computer truly comfortable.