Whether you’re gaming, editing videos, browsing with dozens of tabs, or just trying to get work done, Windows users often complain about slowdowns—even on decent hardware. The good news? Windows 11 (and lingering Windows 10 systems) hides several powerful, lesser-known features and tweaks that can dramatically boost speed without spending a rupee on upgrades.
These aren’t your basic “restart your PC” tips. We’re diving into under-the-radar settings, registry-level unlocks, and advanced configurations that tech enthusiasts and power users swear by. Apply them carefully (create a restore point first!), and many report their machines feeling “brand new” or gaining noticeable responsiveness—sometimes up to 20-30% snappier boot times, lower latency, and smoother multitasking.
Also read: [Quiz] How much do you know about computers?
1. Unlock the Hidden Ultimate Performance Power Plan
Windows offers power plans like Balanced and High Performance, but there’s a secret tier called Ultimate Performance designed for workstations and high-end rigs. It minimises micro-latencies by keeping CPU clocks aggressive and reducing throttling—even on laptops (though battery life suffers).
To enable it:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type: powercfg -duplicatescheme e9a42b02-5d25-47b5-a0d8-2d0d9c2b3d3f and hit Enter.
- Go to Settings > System > Power & battery > Power mode, or search for “Power Options” in the Start menu.
- Look for the new “Ultimate Performance” plan and select it.
This tweak shines for gaming and heavy workloads, often delivering steadier frame rates and faster response times. On desktop PCs plugged in, it’s one of the biggest “free” wins.
2- Activate Native NVMe Driver Boost (For Compatible SSDs)
In late 2025 updates, Microsoft backported advanced NVMe handling from Windows Server. It unlocks faster read/write speeds on many Gen4/Gen5 SSDs by using a more efficient native driver.
Check and enable:
- Device Manager > Storage controllers > Check if your drive uses “Standard NVM Express Controller” or similar.
- If eligible, advanced users can force it via registry tweaks (search trusted guides for “Native NVMe Windows 11”), but test carefully as it’s hardware-dependent.
Gains can be 10-30% in sequential speeds and lower load times—ideal for video editors and gamers.
3- Update your software
Nowadays, there are many software programs that are updated frequently to give you a better and faster experience. If you want to make your computer run faster, you have to try to update the software regularly. If you have installed your software in “default” mode, then you have to update it with the help of the auto-updater.
The latest features and bug fixes aren’t the only benefits of updating your programme; it can also speed up your machine. Installing these updates may enhance speed and responsiveness because developers frequently optimise their code and address performance problems. You can make sure you are fully utilising the efficiency and performance improvements made by developers by keeping your software up to date.
4- Enable Fast Startup (If It’s Off) and Optimise Boot
Fast Startup hibernates the kernel instead of fully shutting down, slashing boot times by 50-70%. It’s often enabled by default, but check it.
Steps:
- Search “Power Options” > Choose what the power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable (admin prompt).
- Check Turn on fast startup.
- For extra boot speed, disable unnecessary startup programs in Task Manager > Startup apps tab.
Combine with cleaning temp files via Storage Sense (Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense > Turn on).
5- Force Apps to Use Your Dedicated GPU
Laptops and multi-GPU desktops often default apps to integrated graphics, crippling performance.
Fix it:
- Settings > System > Display > Graphics.
- Click Browse, add the .exe (e.g., your game or Chrome), and set High performance (dedicated GPU).
This is a game-changer for creative apps, browsers with hardware acceleration, and games—gaining 20-50% FPS in some cases.
6- Activate Efficiency Mode on Resource-Hogging Background Apps
Efficiency Mode (introduced in Windows 11) lowers priority and CPU/RAM usage for non-essential processes, freeing resources for your main tasks. It can boost overall system responsiveness by up to 70%+ in some tests when heavy background apps are tamed.
How to use it:
- Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
- Go to the Processes tab.
- Right-click a high-usage app (like browsers, Discord, or antivirus) > Efficiency mode > Turn on.
Apply it liberally to non-critical items. It’s reversible and one of the smartest “hidden” tools Microsoft added recently.
7- Get rid of the bloatware
Bloatware is the term for pre-installed software that frequently arrives with new computers and uses up precious system resources without providing users with any actual benefits. It is crucial to reduce this pointless weight in order to make your computer operate more quickly. Bloatware is commonly disregarded by users as harmless, but over time, its unnoticed effects can significantly slow down your device.
Find the programs and applications you rarely use or that you didn’t install yourself to start the process of removing bloatware. These can contain demo versions of programmes or manufacturer-specific tools that you don’t want to use. To check the list of installed programs on your computer, open the Control Panel and go to Uninstall a Programme.
By getting rid of these unnecessary programmes, you not only free up valuable disk space but also speed up startup times and improve overall system performance. Additionally, by removing pointless interruptions brought on by pop-ups or notifications from these programmes, your computing experience will be more streamlined, enabling you to concentrate on what really matters without being frequently interrupted by unimportant software demands. When it comes to increasing your computer’s speed and effectiveness, keep in mind that less is more!
8- Enable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS)
Introduced in Windows 10 but refined in Windows 11, Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling offloads some CPU work to the GPU, reducing input lag and improving frame-time consistency—especially in CPU-bound games or apps.
How to turn it on:
- Settings > System > Display > Graphics settings (scroll down).
- Toggle Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling to On.
- Restart your PC.
Pair it with Optimisations for windowed games in the same menu for extra smoothness in borderless fullscreen titles. Many gamers notice crisper mouse movement and fewer stutters after this.
Conclusion
These 8 features aren’t magic, but stacked together, they can transform a laggy machine into a responsive powerhouse. Always:
- Create a System Restore point first (search “Create a restore point”).
- Benchmark before/after with tools like Cinebench, 3DMark, or just note real-world feel (boot time, app launch speed).
- Avoid extreme debloating scripts unless you’re experienced—they can break updates.
In 2026, with AI features and heavier apps taxing systems, these tweaks keep your Windows install lean and mean. Try a couple today—you might wonder why you waited so long.
