Windows 10 is a fantastic operating system for gamers because it supports mixing games, and it works perfectly with the classic titles. However, you might need to modify the settings to get the best out of the OS.
In this guide, I will show you how you can enhance Windows 10 to get the best out of it, especially if you are a gamer. Follow the instructions below.
1. Optimize Windows 10 with Gaming Mode
The recent releases of Windows 10 come with a gaming mode, which are inbuilt optimizations basically designed for gamers. If you will like to know more:
- Tap on the Windows key + I
- Then type game mode
- You will see the option ‘Game Mode Settings’ or ‘Turn on Game Mode.’
- On the next screen, locate ‘Game Mode’ and click on it
- Click ‘On’ to activate ‘Game Mode.’
If your laptop or desktop works with Game Mode, resources will be shared to reach the peak frame rate, and you should know that Windows Update will be deactivated. Although this is one of the methods of enhancing gaming performance on Windows 10, Game Mode is not perfect.
If you will like to know more gaming tweaks for Windows 10, you should keep reading.
2. Disable Nagle’s Algorithm
Nagle’s algorithm basically bundles data packets in a way that it affects the speed of the internet connection. Activating Nagle’s Algorithm on your laptop can be quite useful, but it can add to latency issues when playing games online.
To deactivate Nagle’s Algorithm and enhance your gaming performance, you can begin by checking your IP address:
- Click on Windows key + X
- Then, choose Windows PowerShell.
- Enter ipconfig
- Locate “IPv4 address” to confirm your computer IP address
Once you see it, edit the Windows Registry:
- Tap on Start
- Type in regedit
- Click on Registry Editor (be careful with the Windows Registry)
Copy and paste the following path from the address bar:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces
- Locate the left pane, and you will notice a collection of folders with file names comprising of letters and numbers.
- Then look for the file with the name that matches your IP address with the one listed against DhcpIPAddress. You will see it in the files.
Deactivate Nagle’s Algorithm for a faster online gaming experience
Once you locate the similar folder:
- Right-click on it
- Choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
- You can then name the new file as TcpAckFrequency.
- Choose OK
- Click on New > DWORD (32-bit) Value again.
- You can name this new file as TCPNoDelay.
- Double-click on both files and set their parameters to 1
As soon as you do that, Nagle’s Algorithm will be deactivated. If you experience any issue, all you need to do is reset the parameters to 0, and they will be deactivated.
3. Optimize Windows 10 Online Gaming With Faster DNS
It’s possible to experience network issues when playing online multiplayer or using a remote server for Windows 10 gaming although you can upgrade to faster internet, it is cheaper to just make some network modifications.
- Click on Windows + I to locate Settings
- Locate the Network and Internet option, then ‘Change Adapter Settings’
- Right-click on your wireless network
- Choose Properties
- Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4.
- Take note of both DNS entries for future purposes.
- Replace the entries with 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1.
- Select OK, and then Close.
- Restart your browser
Your connection should now be faster
4. Disable Automatic Updates for Better Windows 10 Gaming
Windows 10 has been designed to automatically update your OS and schedule a restart without asking for access from the user. Although it happens once in a while, it can make you lose your unsaved game.
Although you can disable this feature, but you can delay by following the steps below:
- Click on Windows key + I to open Settings.
- Select Update and Security then Windows Update
- Locate the ‘Advanced options’ and tap on Update Options
- Deactivate ‘Restart this device as soon as possible when a restart is required to install an update.
- Then the next step is to activate ‘Show a notification’ ( You will be notified as from now)
- Click on Pause updates to delay the installation of updates for up to 35 days
5. Disable Notifications in Windows 10
Unexpected notifications can interrupt games, but you can use The Focus Assist feature in Windows 10 to dictate how and when you want to receive notifications:
- Select Windows + I to access Settings
- Select System then Focus Assist
- Click on Alarms Only to hide all other notifications
- Then exit the Settings screen
6. Stop Steam Auto-Updating Games
Most gamers use Steam to buy and install their games, which is quite cool, but the Update feature can be quite annoying. To stop Steam from updating games automatically in the background:
- Open the Steam client
- Click on Steam, then Settings and click on Downloads
- Unmark the option ‘Allow downloads during gameplay.’
- In addition, you can stop Steam from downloading updates for games that you hardly play:
- Launch the Steam Library
- Right-click on any game that you hardly play
- Click on Properties and locate Automatic Updates
- Change the option ‘Always keep this game up to date’ to the option ‘Only update this game when I launch it.’
Once you do this, you will be able to play high-end games with Windows 10 on your computer
7. Tweak Windows 10 Visual Effects to Enhance Game Performance
Your GUI can be affecting the performance of your processor. The GUI will always run in the background when you are playing your games. To adjust this setting, follow the instructions below:
- Use Windows key + I to open Settings
- Type in performance
- Click on the option to ‘Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows’
- Mark the box beside ‘Adjust for best performance.’
- Choose ‘Apply’
- Select ‘Advanced tab.’
- Make sure that ‘Adjust the best performance of’ is set to Programs
- Click on ‘Apply’ again, then select OK to confirm
8. Modify Your Mouse Settings for Windows 10 Gaming
There is a feature called Pointer Precision that can enhance the gaming performance of your laptop. Deactivate this feature to optimize gaming in Windows 10:
- Locate Settings
- Select Devices, then Mouse
- Locate the ‘Pointer Options’ tab
- Unmark the Enhance pointer precision option
- Select Apply
- Choose OK to exit
9. Increase Power Plan to Enhance Windows 10 Gaming Performance
Most gamers feel like the effect that the power plan has on the performance of a laptop is negligible. However, your power plan can have a significant on your gaming performance.
- Locate Settings
- Type power
- Select the option ‘Power & sleep settings’ then ‘Additional power settings’
- Click on the ‘high-performance’ option
If you can’t see any, you can set it up by clicking on ‘Create a power plan.’
10. Always Update Your Windows 10 Drivers for Better Gaming Performance
The GPU of your computer basically dictates how well you will enjoy your games. And the GPU needs the latest driver to function faster and work better.
To check the correct GPU name and specs for your computer:
- Right-click on Desktop
- Click on the ‘Display settings’ option then click on ‘Advanced display settings’
- Locate the Display adapter properties at the bottom of the screen
You can still use the last screen to download the latest drivers for your computer. You need to locate ‘Properties,’ then click on ‘Driver’ and then click on ‘Update Driver.’ Alternatively, you can go to your manufacturer’s website to check if you are using the latest drivers.
Both desktop and laptop manufacturers are always providing free gaming and software updates to ensure that you are using the latest. It is also important to download and install the chipset and LAN drivers for your motherboard; these drivers can also enhance the gaming performance of your computer.
If you will like to download chipset drivers, the simplest way to do it is to right-click on Start and launch Windows PowerShell, then type in:
wmic baseboard get product,manufacturer,version,serialnumber
Once you do that, your motherboard’s manufacturer and the product name will show in the command prompt. The next thing is to type it online to search for your drivers. Also, you will be able to find the chipset drivers and onboard LAN drivers that will enhance your internet connection.
11. Install DirectX 12 to Optimize for Gaming
DirectX 12, which is the newest version from Microsoft, can be very vital for Windows 10 gaming. It works with your processor and GPU cores to enhance the overall performance of your computer.
To be sure that you are using the latest Direct X:
- Launch Windows PowerShell
- Type in dxdiag
- Click on Enter
- After some seconds, the DirectX Diagnostic Tool will appear.
- And if you do not have DirectX 12 on your computer, you can easily fix this by following the steps below:
- Click on Windows key + I to launch Settings.
- Click on Update and security.
- Locate Windows Update, and then click on Check for updates
- Allow the updates to install
You can use all the tweaks that I’ve mentioned in this guide to Optimize Windows 10 for gaming.
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