Windows 11 Best Settings for Gaming: FPS Boost Guide
Windows 11 includes several gaming-focused features, but the default configuration leaves performance on the table. Dialing in these settings can boost your frame rate, cut input lag, and smooth out stutter, often with no hardware upgrade needed.
Enable Game Mode and Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling
Start with two built-in toggles that directly help FPS:
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- Game Mode: Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and turn it on. It deprioritizes background tasks and Windows Update while you play.
- Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling (HAGS): Under Settings > System > Display > Graphics > Change default graphics settings, enable it. This can reduce latency and slightly improve frame pacing on supported GPUs.
Restart after enabling HAGS for it to take effect.
Set the Graphics Performance Preference per Game
On laptops with both integrated and dedicated graphics, make sure each game uses the powerful GPU. Go to Settings > System > Display > Graphics, add your game’s .exe, and set it to High performance. This forces the discrete NVIDIA or AMD GPU instead of the weaker integrated chip.
Turn Off Features That Steal Frames
Several background features quietly reduce gaming performance:
- Variable refresh rate: Leave on if your monitor supports G-Sync/FreeSync, otherwise it does nothing.
- Memory integrity (Core isolation): Under Windows Security > Device security, disabling this can recover a few percent FPS, though it slightly lowers security. Decide based on your priorities.
- Xbox Game Bar captures: Disable background recording under Settings > Gaming > Captures unless you actively use it.
- Power mode: Set to Best performance under Power & battery and use the High performance plan.
Optimize Display and Refresh Rate
Make sure Windows is actually using your monitor’s full capability. Go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display and confirm the refresh rate is set to the maximum your panel supports (144 Hz, 165 Hz, etc.). A monitor stuck at 60 Hz wastes high frame rates entirely.
Also enable Auto HDR only if your display handles it well; on some panels it can introduce overhead, so test both ways.
Drivers and Background Cleanup
Software hygiene matters as much as toggles:
- Install the latest Game Ready (NVIDIA) or Adrenalin (AMD) drivers directly from the vendor.
- Disable startup apps in Task Manager to free RAM and CPU for games.
- Keep at least 10-15% of your SSD free so texture streaming and shader caches have room.
- Close overlays you don’t use (Discord, browser, RGB software) since each adds overhead.
For competitive titles, prioritize a stable, high frame rate over visual quality. Lowering shadows, anti-aliasing, and post-processing in-game often yields a bigger FPS jump than any Windows setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Game Mode actually increase FPS?
Game Mode mainly helps by preventing background tasks and updates from interrupting gameplay, which reduces stutter. On systems with limited resources the FPS gain can be noticeable, while high-end PCs may see only smoother frame pacing.
Should I disable Memory Integrity for gaming?
Disabling Core isolation’s memory integrity can recover a small amount of FPS on some systems, but it lowers protection against certain attacks. If you value security, leave it on; if you want every frame, test with it off.
Is Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling worth enabling?
On modern GPUs it can reduce latency and improve frame pacing. Results vary by hardware and game, so enable it, restart, and benchmark a few titles to confirm it helps on your setup.
Why is my game running at 60 FPS on a 144 Hz monitor?
Windows or the game may be capped at 60 Hz. Set the refresh rate to maximum in Advanced display settings, disable V-Sync caps in-game, and ensure the game runs on your dedicated GPU.
