Improve Windows 11 Performance

Draft Date: July 14, 2025
Author: Reece Towle

Summary/Overview
This article provides practical steps to improve the performance of a Windows 11 device by adjusting system settings, disabling unnecessary apps and services, and optimizing system resources.

Prerequisites

A device running Windows 11
Administrative access for some system changes
Stable internet connection (for updates)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Turn Off Start Menu Recommendations
Removing unnecessary items from the Start menu can reduce distractions and slightly improve responsiveness.

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Alternatively, click the Start button and select the gear icon.
In the left sidebar, click Personalization, then select Start from the right pane.
Toggle off any of the following settings you don’t need:
- Show recently added apps
- Show most used apps
- Show recently opened items in Start, Jump Lists, and File Explorer
- 💡 For best results, turn off all three to eliminate recommendations.
Close the Settings window. Changes take effect immediately.

2. Disable Startup Programs
Limiting startup apps improves boot speed.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Go to the Startup apps tab.
Right-click unnecessary apps (e.g., Teams, OneDrive, Spotify) and select Disable.

3. Adjust Visual Effects for Performance
Reduce animations to free up system resources.

Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter.
Go to the Advanced tab and click Settings under Performance.
Choose Adjust for best performance or manually deselect unneeded effects like animations and shadows.

4. Clean Up Disk Space
Remove junk files that slow down your system.

Open Settings > System > Storage.
Click Temporary files, select unnecessary items, and click Remove files.
Enable Storage Sense to automatically manage old files.

Final Notes
Performing regular maintenance and minimizing background processes helps keep Windows 11 fast and efficient. Consider restarting your device occasionally to refresh system resources.

Version 1.0 | Last Updated: July 14, 2025 | Author: Reece Towle

Keywords:
Windows 11 performance, speed up Windows 11, disable startup apps