How to Optimize Windows 10 for Gaming

The world of gaming has radically transformed in recent years, evolving into an industry with imaginative possibilities.

While Windows 10 gives gamers a powerful operating system, the default settings do not provide optimized results.

Fortunately, with a couple of simple tweaks, you can optimize Windows 10 for gaming to enjoy the finest experience your system has to offer.

Ways to Improve Windows 10 for Gaming

Taken by itself without making any changes to improve performance, Windows 10 can be glitchy and sluggish. Such outcomes prohibit gamers from achieving the desired results.

By simply setting aside the time to make slight adjustments across your operating system, you can squeeze a lot of power from Windows 10 and drastically improve your computer’s performance.

Before applying any optimizations, make sure you are on the latest update for Windows 10. Here’s how to check your PC for Windows 10 updates:

1. Select the Start button

2. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update 

3. Once you’re up-to-date, you can create a system restore point on your computer, allowing you to safely test your optimizations. If anything gets messed up or you find you’d like to revert all of your settings back, a system restore point will enable you to do so with the push of a button.

4. Proceed to turn off various notifications under System→Notifications & actions. You can also use the search bar to find this part of your System.

5. Under Personalization, set your computer’s background to any solid color for the best Windows 10 performance results. You can also turn off transparency effects for your background.

6. From the Gaming tab under Windows Settings, turn off any of the switches under Game bar and Game DVR.

7. Disable automatic updates by accessing your update settings under Update and security→Windows Update→Advanced options→Update Options. You can also use the Change active hours feature to let your system know when you’ll be on it, preventing Windows 10 from automatically restarting when you’re in the middle of something.

Your graphical user interface can hinder your processing power by running in the background as you play games. Luckily, you can adjust the settings of your visual effects to optimize Windows 10 for gaming performance:

8. Press Windows Key + R and type performance.

9. Select Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows→Adjust for best performance→Apply→OK. When you’ve done this, switch to the Advanced tab and verify that Adjust the best performance of is set to Programs.

10. Now, maximize your power settings: Press Windows Key + I and type power. Select Power and sleep settings→Additional power settings. From here, if you have a high-performance option, select it. If not, you’ll have to configure your own custom power plan.

Make sure that your drivers are up-to-date. Since they enable your operating system to communicate with the hardware, drivers play an essential role in computer optimization. Want to find out if you machine has missing drivers? Open Control Panel→Device Manager. Devices without drivers appear in the Other Devices section with a yellow question mark next to their names.

Finally, restart your machine after optimizing all the settings. Doing that makes the changes take effect.

Applications to Maintain and Optimize Your Computer

After optimizing your computer by adjusting various settings, you can download additional software to further maintain and improve your Windows 10 computer for gaming.

Some options to consider include:

• CCleaner — Frees up space on your computer by cleaning up potentially unwanted files.
• CPU Core Parking Manager — Unlocks the full potential of your CPU without Windows interfering.
• Timer Resolution — Lowers the latency between the hardware in your system, the operating system and running applications.

Mobile Gaming

No longer bound by the limitations of computer or console platforms, gaming has steadily developed on mobile devices as well. Since Windows 10 works with select mobile devices, some of the same optimization tips apply.

Does your phone have a virtual keyboard? Unfortunately, built-in virtual keyboards may make mobile gamers’ experiences frustrating or impossible. However, there are more and more company leaders realizing the value in improving the mobile experience for users. Some have released external touch-screen keyboards that give enhanced usability.

Even better, these keyboards frequently work with your desktop computer as well. They provide the tech-savvy user with a convenient, versatile product.

Additionally, mobile gaming creates community bonding opportunities. Like other social platforms, gaming facilitates social sharing through video streaming. For example, applications such as Twitch.tv have boomed in popularity.

With roughly 100 million unique visitors every month, Twitch provides a ton of coverage. That visibility prompts many gamers to explore streaming on the platform to build audiences and monetize content. Moreover, numerous additional applications exist, such as Steam Mobile. It allows people to download popular titles while chatting with users on their friends list.

Mobile gaming opportunities have grown substantially in recent years. As the points above illustrate, it is an exciting platform for developing future possibilities.

Optimize Windows 10 to Suit Your Gaming Needs

Windows 10 offers players a legitimate platform for taking their gaming to the next level. By improving your computer’s performance, you can optimize the operating system for gaming and improve your experience. Apply some of the tips above to see how they change your gameplay.