Is your Windows 11 PC running slower than usual? Over time, unnecessary background services and applications can consume valuable system resources, leading to sluggish performance—especially if you’re not using an SSD. Fortunately, you can optimize your PC by disabling certain Windows services that run continuously in the background.
Whether you’re using an older PC or just want to maximize performance on a new one, disabling these services can help free up CPU, RAM, and disk usage. Below, we’ll walk you through five Windows services you can safely disable for better performance.
1. Windows Update Delivery Optimization
What It Does:
Windows Update Delivery Optimization allows your PC to share Windows Update files with other computers on your local network or over the internet. While Microsoft claims this helps speed up downloads, it can also consume bandwidth and system resources unnecessarily.
How to Disable It:
- Right-click the Windows icon and select Settings.
- Navigate to Windows Update from the left menu.
- Click Advanced Options and then Delivery Optimization.
- Under Allow downloads from other PCs, toggle it off.
Additional Step (Optional): Disable Windows Update Service
If you prefer to manually update Windows, you can disable the Windows Update service entirely:
- Press Windows + S, type Services, and open the Services app.
- Scroll down to Windows Update, double-click it.
- Set Startup type to Disabled and click Stop > Apply > OK.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Disabling Windows Update may leave your system vulnerable to security risks. Only disable it if you manually check for updates regularly.
2. Uninstall or Disable Copilot (Microsoft AI Feature)
Why Disable It?
Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant that runs in the background, consuming RAM and processing power. If you don’t use it, disabling or uninstalling it can free up resources.
How to Remove Copilot:
- Open Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
- Search for Copilot, click the three dots (⋮), and select Uninstall.
3. Disable Windows Search Indexing
What It Does:
Windows Search indexes files, emails, and media to provide faster search results. However, if you rarely use Windows Search or prefer manual file browsing, disabling it can reduce CPU and disk usage.
How to Disable It:
- Open Services (press Windows + S, type Services).
- Find Windows Search, double-click it.
- Set Startup type to Disabled, click Stop > Apply > OK.
4. Disable Remote Desktop Services
Why Disable It?
Remote Desktop allows remote access to your PC, which is unnecessary if you don’t use it. Disabling it improves security and frees up system resources.
How to Disable It:
- Open Services, find Remote Desktop Services.
- Double-click, set Startup type to Disabled, click Stop > Apply > OK.
- Repeat for Remote Desktop Services UserMode Port Redirector.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Only disable this if you never use Remote Desktop.
5. Disable SysMain (Formerly SuperFetch)
What It Does:
SysMain (previously SuperFetch) preloads frequently used apps into RAM for faster access. However, on SSDs, this feature is redundant and can cause high disk usage.
How to Disable It:
- Open Services, locate SysMain.
- Double-click, set Startup type to Disabled, click Stop > Apply > OK.
Final Steps & Restart
After disabling these services, restart your PC to apply changes. You should notice improved performance, especially on older systems.
Tags:
Windows 11, PC Optimization, Speed Up Windows, Disable Background Services, Improve Performance
Hashtags:
#Windows11 #PCOptimization #SpeedUpPC #WindowsTips #TechGuide
By following these steps, you can ensure your Windows 11 PC runs smoother and more efficiently. Let us know in the comments if you noticed a performance boost!
