Windows 11 provides a solid foundation for gaming but with a few optimizations you can extract the maximum performance from your PC and enhance your gaming experience. Here we will explore a range of Windows settings that can potentially improve gaming performance and provide a smoother gameplay experience. While not every tweak may be necessary for everyone, implementing some of these options can make a noticeable difference, especially for users facing performance issues.
Windows 11 Game Mode
Enabling Game Mode is a straightforward step to enhance gaming performance. It prioritizes gaming by suspending background processes and can potentially improve frame rates. To activate Game Mode search for Game Mode in the Windows search bar select Game Mode settings and toggle the Game Mode switch to On.
Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling & Variable Refresh Rate
For optimal graphics performance, enable hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling. This reduces rendering latency and minimizes the workload on your PC’s graphics card. Additionally, if your GPU supports it, enable variable refresh rate (VRR) to prevent screen tearing and achieve smoother frame rates. Access these settings by searching for “Graphics” in the Windows search bar, selecting “Graphics settings,” and toggling on the respective options.
Auto HDR
If your display supports HDR, enable Auto HDR to enhance visual quality in games. Auto HDR improves detail in highlights and shadows, expanding color depth. To enable Auto HDR, search for “Display” in the Windows search bar, select “Display settings,” choose the relevant display if you have multiple, click “Use HDR,” and toggle on Auto HDR.
Disabling Memory Integrity & Virtual Machine Platform
Memory Integrity and Virtual Machine Platform are options that can enhance performance but may not be necessary for everyone. Memory Integrity, enabled by default, provides security against malware but incurs a slight performance impact. Only disable it if you have alternative security measures in place. Similarly, disable Virtual Machine Platform if you do not rely on its features. Access these options by searching for “core isolation” and “Windows features” respectively in the Windows search bar.
Disabling Enhanced Pointer Precision
If you experience mouse control issues in games, consider disabling Enhanced Pointer Precision. This feature may conflict with in-game mouse options and result in inconsistent or inaccurate mouse input. To disable Enhanced Pointer Precision, search for “mouse settings” in the Windows search bar, select “Additional mouse settings,” navigate to the Pointer Options tab, and uncheck “Enhance pointer precision.”
Conclusion:
You can unlock the full power of your PC and improve your gaming experience by optimising Windows 11 for gaming. Implementing tweaks such as enabling Game Mode, utilizing hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling and variable refresh rate, enabling Auto HDR, and adjusting settings like Memory Integrity and Enhanced Pointer Precision can significantly improve performance and provide smoother gameplay. Experiment with these settings to find the configuration that suits your gaming needs and hardware capabilities, ensuring an immersive and enjoyable gaming experience on Windows 11.
