How to Optimize Windows for Gaming

When most gamers choose Windows from the list of available operating systems, one reason behind this selection is the excellent job optimization of Windows by Microsoft, making it adaptable according to the requirements of the gaming community. Games are well optimized for Windows; therefore, you get an improved frame rate and better overall gaming performance. In terms of gaming, this operating system acts as a foundation for the excellent graphics drivers in the software industry. On Windows, you can play both natives and Xbox games with Microsoft’s “Play Anywhere” program launched a few years back. Windows also offer a Game Mode, which optimizes your PC’s settings to make it run faster.

It isn’t that simple as it sounds. To take advantage of all of Windows’ capabilities, make your games run faster, and improve your gaming experience, you must know how to optimize your Windows for gaming.

What are the benefits of optimizing your Windows for gaming?

There isn’t such a thing as the perfect operating system. However, because of its commendable gaming community, Windows gets near to gaming perfection. Even so, optimizing windows is an important task, particularly if you want to improve your gaming performance. This operating system is a platform that focuses on productivity. As a result, you may need to optimize Windows in any preferred way to unlock gaming capabilities and improved frame rates.

In this article, we will provide you seven different methods for optimizing Windows for gaming. So, let’s begin!

Method 1: Optimizing Windows for Gaming by Activating Game Mode

Utilizing a built-in feature of Windows, here is a quick and straightforward method for optimizing your Windows for gaming. “Game Mode” was added in the most recent versions of the Windows operating system to enhance users’ gaming experience. This mode optimizes Windows by allocating more system resources to games. It also restricts other applications from consuming system resources. For example, you are playing a game, and suddenly a system update pop up appears. In such a case, the “Game Mode” won’t allow the system to get updated in the way of a smooth gaming experience.

To find the Game Mode settings, hit the “Windows key + I” keys together, Write out the “Game setting” in the search box, and then select the “Game Mode Setting” from the list of available options.

After that, activate the “Game Mode” as shown in the below-given image:

Method 2: Optimizing Windows for Gaming by Disabling Nagle’s Algorithm

Nagle’s algorithm enhances TCP/IP network efficiency by grouping data packets together and minimizing the number of packets delivered over the network. The execution of this process degrades the stability of your internet connection. By disabling Nagle’s algorithm, you can improve the performance of your Windows operating system.

First, press “Windows key + Q” Altogether, then type “regedit,” and access the Windows registry editor to follow up this procedure.

Now add the following path in the local machine address bar: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interface

This path will take you to a menu with numerous folders. Check your IP address in the “DhcpIPAddress” listed in one of those directories. After finding the folder that contains “DhcpIPAddress” the same as your IP address, right-click on this folder and create two “DWORD (32-bit) Value” named as “TCPNoDelay” and “TcpAckFrequency.”

Set their value data parameter to “1”. That’s it!

This method disables Nagle’s algorithm and resolves the latency issues resulting in an improved gaming experience.

Method 3: Optimizing Windows for Gaming by Changing Visual Effect Settings

The Graphical User Interface may slow your system’s processing speed. Appearance settings of Windows are by default configured to impress its users, affecting the games running in the foreground. To optimize Windows for gaming, change the Visual effect settings of your operating system.

In the Windows search box, write out “View advanced system settings”:

Then, on the “Advanced” tab, select “Settings” from the opened window:

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Look for the option “Adjust for best performance” in the “Visual Effects” tab, check it, click the “Apply” button, then “OK.” Your Visual effects settings have.” now been optimized for a better gaming experience.

Method 4: Optimizing Windows for Gaming by Using a High-Performance Power Plan

Power plans are created to help battery management on portable devices; this is a valuable solution if you use a Windows desktop rather than a laptop. Opting for a high-performance power plan that can sustain CPU frequency while consuming more energy is worthwhile with no such limits on the system.

Press “key + I,” Go to the “System” settings.

Select the option “Power & sleep“.

Open up the “Additional power settings,” which exists on the right side of the Power and Sleep settings Window.

Now, create a “High performance” plan and enjoy an optimized gaming experience.

Method 5: Optimizing Windows for Gaming by Updating GPU Drivers

The core of your Windows gaming experience: Graphics Processor Unit (GPU) requires the up-to-date Windows driver to execute everything smoothly. Furthermore, an outdated driver also contributes to system crashes. If you want to optimize your Windows for a better gaming experience, then one method is to update the GPU driver:

Press “Windows key + R” and type “devmgmt.msc” in the run box.

Expand the “Display adapters” in the device manager window:

Now, right-click your display adapters and select the “update driver” option.

If your display adapters need any update, available online drivers will update your system display adapters for you. Otherwise, you will see the following window:

Method 6: Optimizing Windows for Gaming by managing Your Active Hours

Setting your activity hours is an intelligent method to optimize your Windows for gaming. In Windows, you may set a timetable for gaming, and the operating system will not download updates during that specific duration. Windows will update and restart your system during your inactive hours.

To change your active hours, press “Windows key + I,” then select Update & Security:

Method 7: Optimizing Windows for Gaming by Disabling Mouse Acceleration

Mouse acceleration is a setting that causes your mouse to move based on speed and sense of physical movements. The mentioned option reduces the precision of your mouse movements by adding an extra parameter to the mouse movement. Turn this option off as accuracy is essential in maintaining accurate aim in first-person shooters games such as Overwatch, Counter-Strike, and Call of Duty.

To use this method for optimizing your Windows for gaming, Go to your Mouse settings in the “Control Panel.” Explore the “Pointer Options” and then disable the “Enhance pointer precision” option, and you are all done!

Conclusion

Regardless of the improved support for Linux and macOS, Windows remains the preferred operating system for most PC gamers worldwide. However, there still exists some procedures that can help Windows to provide an ideal gaming performance. This article practically answered your question: How to Optimize Windows for gaming using seven different methods. Try them out and have a fun gaming experience!

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