Millions of users have been receiving the latest Windows 10 update, but many take the opportunity to format the system and start from scratch. If you are one of those users, you probably want to review a few tricks to improve Windows 10 performance for gaming. Most of the adjustments are well documented, but there is always an angle left to explore...
The optimization never ends
Windows 10 is a gigantic operating system, and that means there are several factors determining its final performance. If we set aside the amount of RAM available, the real speed of your storage drive, and driver updates, there are still many background parameters that need to be studied, and why not, adjusted.
Windows 10 has the titanic task of running correctly on a wide range of hardware, so its factory configuration may not be optimal for your computer. Many parameters are left at default or automatic, and although in general we should not touch anything, they definitely deserve a second look.
How to improve Windows 10 performance for gaming
Services
A standard Windows 10 installation can have more than 80 services running. Some stop almost immediately, but many remain there, consuming bites of your RAM. The most complicated part is determining whether we really need those services and the risk of disabling them. The Black Viper portal remains a kind of 'bible' for getting specific data about a service and its recommended state.
A historical example is the print queue. If you don't have a printer on your system, why leave the service set to automatic? If the idea of a "disabled service" worries you, Windows offers a shortcut with the Manual option. In fact, many high-profile services are configured that way (Windows Update, Bluetooth, and the Microsoft Store come to mind). This is where virtualization shines: If you want to experiment with service optimization in Windows 10, nothing beats a virtual environment to test, make mistakes, and test again.
What about Game Mode?
The introduction of Game Mode dates back to the Creators Update that debuted in April 2017. The official description says that "Windows gives priority to your gaming experience" by blocking the installation of patches via Windows Update and improving FPS speed in our games. Four years have passed since then, and the main suggestion is still to test both states. Some users swear by Game Mode's benefits, others say performance is worse, and for most there is no change.
If your computer is a few years old or has hardware affected by certain special conditions (for example, Spectre/Meltdown mitigations), the general recommendation is to disable Game Mode, but I insist: You must evaluate both conditions. MSI Afterburner or the old Fraps (if the game doesn't have an internal FPS counter) will help detect performance differences.
Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling
Also known as "GPU Scheduling", this mode available in Windows 10 2004 or later tries to "reduce latency and improve performance". The technical description talks about assigning tasks for the GPU through a high-priority thread on the CPU, backed by the use of frame buffering. This optimizes performance... but it produces lag.
In contrast, Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling moves that CPU thread to a dedicated processor on the GPU. If your hardware and video driver are compatible, GPU Scheduling could be useful... emphasis on "could". Most games ignore this parameter or suffer a drop in FPS, but if you want to experiment, go to Settings -> Display, and enter Graphics Settings. Any change here requires a restart.
Power Options
A recurring complaint in Windows 10 is that the Settings menu does not have the same advanced options as the classic Control Panel, but on top of that, some parameters appear duplicated. Power Options is at the top of the list, and it's not a bad idea to check everything twice.
The icon in the Control Panel hasn't changed, but in the Settings menu you should go to System -> Power & sleep. There you will find the Performance & power section. Slide the control to Best performance, unless you're using a laptop and need to optimize battery life.
Video drivers and DirectX
It is assumed that drivers are not the operating system's responsibility, but Windows 10 needs all the help we can give it, and having the correct video driver is essential. In the vast majority of cases, that 'correct' driver is the latest one offered by the GPU manufacturer, however some graphics cards work better with previous versions. Don't hesitate to use benchmarks to check for differences.
On the other hand, Windows 10 includes all the modules that make up DirectX, but some older games require the installation of the DirectX 9, 10, and 11 'redist'. Microsoft had retired the download link, but it was restored. It's a 95-megabyte package, and it deserves a place on your maintenance USB drive.
In summary
Improving Windows 10 performance for gaming is an eternal work in progress. There is always something new to try and evaluate, to move forward and backward. In addition to what we've published here, we definitely recommend checking our article to optimize Fortnite and other games. Combining that information will let you squeeze every last drop of juice from your hardware. Good luck!
