How to Change Performance Settings in Windows 10

To change performance settings in Windows 10, select Start, type performance, and open Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows. On the Visual Effects tab, choose Adjust for best performance, then select OK. Windows turns off animations and other effects so the PC feels faster.

For a bigger boost, also switch to a faster power mode and stop apps you don’t need from starting with Windows.

Applies to: Windows 10. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025, and only PCs enrolled in Extended Security Updates still get security fixes, through October 12, 2027.

1. Adjust visual effects for performance

1. Select Start, type performance, and select Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows. Or press Windows + R, type SystemPropertiesPerformance, and press Enter.
2. On the Visual Effects tab, select Adjust for best performance.
3. Select OK.

Text can look rough with everything off. Choose Custom, check Smooth edges of screen fonts and Show thumbnails instead of icons, and select OK. To undo it all, choose Let Windows choose what’s best for my computer.

Settings on the Advanced tab

The same Performance Options window has an Advanced tab with two more settings.

• Processor scheduling: leave it on Programs for normal use. This gives the app you are working in priority. Choose Background services only if the PC mainly runs background work, such as audio recording or a server.
• Virtual memory: select Change to see the paging file. Windows manages it automatically, which is the right choice for almost everyone.

Select Apply and OK after any change. A restart may be needed.

2. Use a faster power mode

• Laptop: select the battery icon on the taskbar and drag the slider to Best performance. It uses more battery.
• Desktop: go to Settings > System > Power & sleep, select Additional power settings, and choose High performance if it’s listed. Select Show additional plans if you don’t see it.

Sleep, screen and other plan options are explained in changing power settings in Windows 10. Some PCs can also turn on the Ultimate Performance plan.

3. Stop apps from starting with Windows

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, and select More details if needed.
2. Select the Startup tab.
3. Select an app you don’t need at startup and select Disable.

Start with apps marked High under Startup impact. Leave security software and drivers you recognize turned on. The app still works when you open it yourself. Other ways to disable startup programs are worth a look if an app isn’t listed.

4. Stop apps running in the background

Go to Settings > Privacy > Background apps, and turn off apps you don’t need to update or notify you while closed.

5. Free up disk space

A nearly full drive slows Windows down. Go to Settings > System > Storage, select Temporary files, and remove what you don’t need. Turn on Storage Sense to do this automatically.

6. Keep Windows and drivers up to date

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install updates, including optional driver updates. Updates often fix performance problems.

7. Check for malware

Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection and select Quick scan. Malware can use a lot of processor and disk time.

8. Uninstall apps you don’t use

Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Sort by size or install date, select an app you no longer need, and select Uninstall. Trial software that came with the PC is a common culprit.

9. Optimize your drives

1. Select Start, type defrag, and open Defragment and Optimize Drives.
2. Select drive C and select Optimize.

Windows picks the right method for each drive. A hard disk is defragmented, and an SSD gets a quick TRIM instead. Leave Scheduled optimization turned on so it happens weekly.

10. Turn off tips and transparency

• Go to Settings > System > Notifications & actions and turn off Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows.
• Go to Settings > Personalization > Colors and turn off Transparency effects. This helps most on older graphics hardware.

Find out what’s slowing your PC

Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and select the CPU, Memory, or Disk column on the Processes tab to sort by it. The app at the top is using the most. Close it if you don’t need it.

If your PC is still slow

• Disk is stuck at 100%. In Task Manager, sort by the Disk column. If it stays near 100% with little running, the PC probably has an old hard disk. Moving to an SSD is the single biggest speed upgrade for an older PC.
• Memory is nearly full. If the Memory figure on the Performance tab is regularly above 80% with only a browser open, the PC needs more RAM. 8 GB is a practical minimum for Windows 10 today.
• It got slow after an update or new app. Uninstall the most recent app, or roll back a driver in Device Manager, and see if speed returns.
• Nothing helps. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and select Reset this PC with Keep my files. It reinstalls Windows and removes apps, so note what you’ll need to reinstall.

Frequently asked questions

Will these changes make games faster?

Visual effects and power mode help a little. For games, also turn on Game Mode in Settings > Gaming > Game Mode, and update your graphics driver.

Should I restart often?

Yes. Restarting every few days clears memory and finishes updates.

Does Adjust for best performance hurt anything?

No. It only changes how Windows looks, such as animations, shadows, and smooth fonts. You can switch back at any time from the same window.

Is ReadyBoost worth using?

Only on an older PC with a hard disk and little memory. If your PC has an SSD, Windows doesn’t offer ReadyBoost because it wouldn’t help.

More ways to speed up your Windows 10 computer go beyond these settings, and Microsoft’s Tips to improve PC performance in Windows adds a few more.