Fix Low FPS While Gaming on Windows 11

Low frame rates in Windows 11 usually come from a handful of fixable causes: power settings, background apps, outdated drivers, or a misconfigured graphics setting. This guide walks through the most effective fixes in order, from quick checks to deeper system tweaks, so you can get back to smooth gameplay.

Why Windows 11 Can Hurt Gaming Performance

Windows 11 introduced several features that can affect gaming performance if left unchecked. The most notable is Virtualization-Based Security (VBS), which is enabled by default on many new installations. VBS uses hardware virtualization to isolate security processes, but it can cost 5–10% performance in games, especially on older CPUs. Another factor is Core Isolation (Memory Integrity), a related security feature that runs in the background. While these features are valuable for security, gamers often disable them to regain performance, particularly on systems that are already near their limits.

Windows 11 also defaults to a balanced power plan, which may not let your CPU and GPU boost to their full potential. The operating system’s background apps, such as OneDrive, Xbox Game Bar, and various telemetry services, can also consume CPU and disk resources while you play. Understanding these underlying causes helps you target the right fixes.

Start with the Quick Wins

Before diving into deeper system changes, try these simple steps that often resolve FPS drops:

• Update your GPU drivers: Go to the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest driver. Outdated drivers are a leading cause of poor performance and stuttering.
• Check for Windows updates: Windows 11 updates often include performance fixes and security patches. Go to Settings > Windows Update and install any pending updates.
• Close background apps: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager, look for high-usage apps, and end tasks that aren’t needed. Pay special attention to browsers, Discord, and game launchers.
• Set the power plan to High Performance: Go to Control Panel > Power Options and select High Performance. If you have a gaming laptop, also check your manufacturer’s power software (e.g., Dell Power Manager, ASUS Armoury Crate) and set it to a performance or turbo mode.
• Disable fullscreen optimizations: Right-click your game’s .exe file, go to Properties > Compatibility, and check Disable fullscreen optimizations. This can help with stuttering in some games.

These steps take less than five minutes and can resolve a surprising number of FPS issues.

Disable Memory Integrity and VBS

If the quick fixes don’t help, the next step is to disable Virtualization-Based Security and its companion feature, Memory Integrity. These are the most common Windows 11 performance culprits.

1. Open Windows Security (search for it in the Start menu).
2. Go to Device Security > Core Isolation.
3. Turn off Memory Integrity and restart your PC.
4. To disable VBS entirely, search for Core Isolation in the Start menu, but this time open the System Information app (msinfo32). Look for Virtualization-Based Security – it will say “Enabled” or “Not enabled.”
5. If it’s enabled, you’ll need to disable it via Group Policy or the registry. The easiest method is to open Command Prompt as Administrator and run: bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off. Restart your PC.

After these changes, you may see a noticeable FPS boost, especially in CPU-bound games like Counter-Strike 2 or Valorant. Note that disabling these features reduces some security protections, so weigh the trade-off carefully. If you use your PC for sensitive tasks, you may prefer to keep them on.

Optimize Graphics Settings in Windows and Games

Windows 11 includes a per-game graphics settings page that lets you control performance vs. quality. Go to Settings > System > Display > Graphics. Here you can:

• Assign a specific GPU to a game (if you have both integrated and dedicated graphics).
• Set a game to High performance mode, which forces the discrete GPU.
• Enable Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling (HAGS). This can reduce input latency and improve FPS in some games, but it’s not universally beneficial. Try it on and off to see which works better for your system.

Inside the game itself, lower the most demanding settings: shadows, reflections, and anti-aliasing. Also, make sure the game is running in fullscreen mode rather than windowed or borderless, as exclusive fullscreen often gives a few extra FPS. If your monitor supports it, enable G-Sync or FreeSync in both the GPU control panel and the monitor’s OSD to reduce screen tearing.

Adjust Windows 11 for Maximum Gaming Performance

Beyond the graphics settings, there are several Windows-level tweaks that can help:

• Disable background apps: Go to Settings > Apps > Startup and disable any apps you don’t need at boot. Also, in Settings > Privacy & security > Background apps, turn off apps that you don’t want running in the background.
• Disable Xbox Game Bar: While it’s useful for recording, it can consume resources. Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Bar and turn it off if you don’t use it.
• Turn off visual effects: In Control Panel > System > Advanced system settings > Performance > Settings, select Adjust for best performance. This removes animations and transparency, which can free up a little CPU/GPU.
• Disable fullscreen optimizations globally: In the same Performance Options window, go to the Advanced tab and uncheck Optimize windows for compatibility (if present). This is a legacy setting, but some games benefit.

These tweaks are safe and reversible. They won’t turn a weak PC into a gaming beast, but they can remove unnecessary overhead.

When Software Tweaks Aren’t Enough: Hardware Considerations

If you’ve tried all the above and still get low FPS, the problem may be hardware-related. Check your system’s temperatures using a tool like MSI Afterburner or HWInfo. If your CPU or GPU is thermal throttling (reducing clock speeds to cool down), you’ll see FPS drops. Cleaning dust from fans, improving case airflow, or reapplying thermal paste can help.

Another common issue is insufficient RAM. Windows 11 itself uses about 4–6 GB of RAM, so 8 GB is the bare minimum for gaming. If you have 8 GB, consider upgrading to 16 GB. Also, make sure your RAM is running at its rated speed (XMP/DOCP profile) in the BIOS. Slow RAM can bottleneck modern CPUs.

Finally, check your storage. If your game is installed on a traditional hard drive (HDD), loading times and texture streaming can cause stuttering. Moving the game to an SSD (Solid State Drive) can significantly improve performance in open-world games.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my FPS lower on Windows 11 than on Windows 10?

Windows 11 has extra security features like VBS and Memory Integrity that can reduce performance by a few percent. It also has a slightly different graphics pipeline and more background processes. Disabling VBS and optimizing your power settings often closes the gap.

Does disabling VBS or Memory Integrity make my PC less secure?

Yes, it reduces protection against certain types of exploits, such as those that attempt to inject malicious code into the kernel. However, for a gaming-focused PC, the risk is generally low if you practice safe browsing and keep your software updated. Weigh the performance gain against your security needs.

Should I use Game Mode in Windows 11?

Game Mode is designed to prioritize games and reduce background activity. It’s generally safe to leave it on, but it can sometimes cause issues with certain games or overlays. Test with it on and off to see which gives better performance.

How do I know if my GPU driver is up to date?

You can check the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) or use their automatic detection tools. Alternatively, in Device Manager, right-click your GPU and select “Update driver,” but this often doesn’t find the latest version. The manufacturer’s tool is more reliable.

Will upgrading to Windows 11 increase my FPS?

Not generally. Windows 11 is not designed to boost FPS; it’s a new OS with different features. In some cases, it may slightly improve performance due to better CPU scheduling (especially on Intel Alder Lake and later), but in others, it may decrease due to security features. The fixes in this article are about getting the best out of Windows 11, not expecting it to be faster than Windows 10 by default.

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