Alex Ruben
Speed Up Windows 11 by Disabling Minimize and Maximize Animations
Is your Windows 11 feeling sluggish? Disabling minimize and maximize animations can significantly enhance your system’s responsiveness, particularly on older PCs. This straightforward tutorial will guide you through the steps to disable these animations, leading to a snappier Windows experience. Whether you’re a gamer, professional, or casual user, this simple tweak can make a noticeable difference in your daily computing tasks.
Before we begin, ensure your Windows 11 system is updated to the latest version, as these steps are designed for the most current build of the operating system. No additional software is required, just follow the instructions below to access the necessary settings.
Step 1: Open Performance Settings
To start, you’ll need to access the performance settings on your Windows 11 device:
- Click on the Search icon in the taskbar.
- Type
sysdm.cplin the search bar and press Enter. - This will open the System Properties window.
Step 2: Navigate to Advanced Settings
Once the System Properties window is open, proceed to find the settings for performance:
- Click on the Advanced tab at the top of the window.
- In the Performance section, click on the Settings button.
- This will open the Performance Options window.
Step 3: Disable Minimize and Maximize Animations
Now that you are in the Performance Options window, you can disable the animations:
- In the Visual Effects tab, look for the option labeled Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing.
- Uncheck this option to disable the animations.
- Click Apply and then OK to save your changes.
Step 4: Testing the Changes
After disabling the animations, it’s time to see the impact:
- Minimize and maximize any open window to observe the changes.
- You should notice that the windows respond more quickly without the delay of animations.
Step 5: Re-enabling Animations (Optional)
If you wish to reverse the changes and enable animations again, simply follow the steps above and recheck the Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing option. Remember to click Apply and OK afterward.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Disabling animations can improve performance, especially if you have an older PC. However, if you experience any issues or your system still feels sluggish, consider these tips:
- Check for background applications consuming resources by opening the Task Manager (you can access it by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
- Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date through the manufacturer’s website or Device Manager.
- Consider performing a disk cleanup to remove unnecessary files that may slow down your system.
By following these steps, you should achieve a faster and more responsive experience in Windows 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can disabling animations really speed up my computer?
Yes, especially on older hardware. It reduces the visual load on your system, allowing it to focus resources on performance tasks.
What if I want animations back?
You can easily enable the animations again by following the same steps and checking the appropriate option in the performance settings.
Are there any other performance tweaks I can try?
Yes, consider adjusting your power settings to ‘High Performance’ and checking for any unnecessary startup programs that may be slowing your boot time.