Boost FPS in Windows 10: Complete Performance Optimization Guide

Boosting FPS (frames per second) in Windows 10 can transform your gaming experience, making gameplay smoother and more responsive. Whether you’re a casual or a dedicated gamer, this guide offers practical, step-by-step tips to optimize your PC for maximum game performance. From enabling Win10 Game Mode to tweaking power plans and disabling background apps, you’ll learn how to make your system get the most out of every game.

Why FPS Boost on Windows 10 Matters in 2025

Windows 10 remains a popular operating system for gamers, thanks to its broad compatibility with games and gaming hardware. However, by 2025, many gamers are still seeking ways to extract better performance without investing in new hardware immediately.

Modern games are more demanding, and framerates below 60 FPS can feel sluggish, hurting immersion and response times. Boosting FPS not only provides buttery-smooth gameplay but can also help in fast-paced competitive scenarios.

This guide is aimed at gamers of all skill levels who want to optimize their Windows 10 PCs for improved gaming performance using built-in and accessible tools—in particular people who:

• Use PCs with mid-range or older GPUs
• Prefer tweaking software settings before hardware upgrades
• Want to remove common performance bottlenecks in Windows 10

Now, let’s jump into the steps that deliver real FPS boosts.

Step 1: Enable Win10 Game Mode

Windows 10 includes a feature called Game Mode designed to allocate resources more effectively for games.

How to enable Game Mode

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Click Gaming > Game Mode.
3. Toggle Game Mode to On.

Why it matters

Game Mode prioritises your game process by limiting background activity and stopping Windows Update from running intense tasks during gaming. This can reduce stutter and improve FPS, especially on systems with limited CPU power.

Pro tip:

Streamers and multitaskers may find Game Mode limits background apps, so if you rely heavily on background software (Discord, overlays), test performance before and after enabling it.

Step 2: Select the Best Power Plan for Gaming

Windows 10’s power plans affect how your CPU and GPU behave. By default, many PCs run a balanced power profile prioritizing energy savings over raw power.

How to change your power plan

1. Press Windows + R, type powercfg.cpl, and press Enter.
2. In the Power Options window, select High performance or Ultimate Performance (if available).
3. Alternatively, create a custom plan where the processor minimum and maximum state are set to 100%.

Why it matters

A “High performance” plan prevents your CPU from throttling down to save energy, so games get consistent processing power. This helps reduce FPS dips when the system tries to scale down performance dynamically.

Price note

Changing power plans is free and built into Windows 10. For laptops, “High performance” may reduce battery life, so it’s best used when plugged in.

Step 3: Disable Background Apps to Free Up Resources

Many apps run in the background, wasting CPU, memory, and disk usage that could otherwise boost your game’s FPS.

How to disable background apps

1. Go to Settings > Privacy > Background apps.
2. Scroll through the list and toggle off apps you don't need running during gaming.
3. You can also disable all background apps at once by toggling off Let apps run in the background.

Why it matters

Disabling unnecessary background apps frees RAM and CPU power, decreasing potential frame drops. This is especially useful on systems with 8GB of RAM or less.

Real example

Gaming on a 6-core CPU and 16GB RAM, turning off background apps like OneDrive, Mail, and Spotify can improve FPS stability by up to 10% in demanding titles such as “Cyberpunk 2077” or “Call of Duty: Warzone.”

Step 4: Update GPU Drivers for Maximum Compatibility

Your graphics card driver directly impacts game performance.

How to update drivers

• For Nvidia GPUs: Use GeForce Experience or download the latest drivers from Nvidia’s website.
• For AMD GPUs: Use Radeon Software or check AMD’s website.
• Intel integrated GPUs can update via Intel Driver & Support Assistant.

Why it matters

Manufacturers regularly release performance optimisations for new games plus bug fixes. Running outdated drivers can limit FPS and cause crashes.

Bonus tip:

Set your Nvidia or AMD software to auto-update to stay current without hassle.

Step 5: Adjust In-Game Settings Wisely

No FPS boost guide is complete without tuning your game settings.

Key settings to tweak

• Resolution: Lowering resolution improves FPS but reduces visual clarity.
• Texture quality: High textures eat VRAM and lower FPS.
• Shadow quality: Shadows are CPU and GPU intensive; setting to medium or low can help.
• Anti-aliasing: Turning it off or reducing it often raises FPS substantially.
• V-Sync: Disabling this may increase FPS but can cause screen tearing.

Why it matters

Each game has a sweet spot where visuals and performance balance. Prioritise frame rate for competitive games; go for visuals in story-driven titles.

Pricing

Quality graphic settings are built into games, so no cost. Use free benchmarking tools like MSI Afterburner to monitor FPS changes as you tweak settings.

Step 6: Clean Boot Windows to Minimise Unnecessary Services

A clean boot starts Windows with the minimum required drivers and startup programs, preventing unseen processes from hogging resources.

How to clean boot

1. Press Windows + R and type msconfig.
2. Click the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.
3. Go to Startup tab and open Task Manager.
4. Disable all startup programs.
5. Restart your computer.

Why it matters

A clean boot is especially helpful for diagnosing FPS issues caused by background processes without uninstalling software.

Caution:

Not all services are safe to disable permanently, so after testing games, revert or enable critical software like antivirus.

Step 7: Use Performance-Optimised Power Settings in Nvidia/AMD Control Panel

Both Nvidia and AMD GPUs have control panels with performance tweaks.

For Nvidia users:

1. Right-click desktop > Nvidia Control Panel.
2. Go to Manage 3D settings.
3. Set Power management mode to Prefer maximum performance.
4. Turn off Vertical sync for higher FPS (optional).

For AMD users:

1. Open Radeon Software.
2. Go to Graphics > Global Graphics.
3. Enable AMD Radeon Chill or set performance mode.
4. Disable features like Anti-Lag if causing FPS drops.

Why it matters

These settings prevent the GPU from downclocking during gaming, stabilising FPS and responsiveness.

Step 8: Adjust Virtual Memory (Paging File) for Stability

Virtual memory can act as a buffer when RAM runs low during gaming loads.

How to set virtual memory

1. Press Windows + Pause/Break > Advanced system settings > Performance > Settings.
2. Navigate to the Advanced tab > Virtual memory > Change.
3. Uncheck Automatically manage, select your drive.
4. Set a custom size: initial and maximum values about 1.5 to 3 times your physical RAM (e.g. 24,000 MB for 16 GB RAM).
5. Click OK and restart.

Why it matters

Proper virtual memory prevents crashes and lag spikes in large open-world games by smoothing memory demands.

Step 9: Disable Fullscreen Optimizations

Windows 10 applies fullscreen optimizations that sometimes interfere with game performance.

How to disable it

1. Right-click your game executable (.exe) > Properties.
2. Go to the Compatibility tab.
3. Check Disable fullscreen optimisations.
4. Apply and restart your game.

Why it matters

Disabling this can solve stutters and FPS drops caused by Windows trying to overlay window management features on fullscreen games.

Step 10: Regularly Clean and Maintain Your PC

Hardware overheating slows FPS by throttling GPU and CPU.

Maintenance tips

• Clean dust from fans and vents every 3-6 months.
• Use compressed air to remove dust buildup.
• Monitor in-game temps with MSI Afterburner; CPU/GPU temps ideally under 80°C.
• Consider repasting your CPU if older than 3 years.

Why it matters

Thermal throttling quietly kills FPS without obvious error messages. Regular maintenance keeps hardware performing optimally.

Expert Insight: What Gamers Often Overlook

Many gamers dive straight into hardware upgrades or in-game settings but forget how much Windows itself influences FPS. Simple steps like enabling Game Mode and managing background apps cause surprisingly effective boosts by freeing resources.

Additionally, power management settings on laptops can severely limit gaming potential if left on “balanced” mode. Switching to “High performance” is generally safe when plugged in and yields instant FPS gains.

However, not all background apps should be disabled. For example, streaming software and VoIP apps like Discord may be essential, so tailor your background app shutdowns carefully.

Alternatives and Comparisons

• Windows 11 Gaming Mode: Windows 11 refines Game Mode further but adoption remains gradual, so Windows 10 optimisations still hold value for many users.
• Third-party FPS boosting tools: Apps like Razer Cortex or Game Fire claim to boost FPS but often do what Windows already does manually with added bloat.
• Hardware upgrades: Ultimately, upgrading GPUs or adding RAM is the most effective but also the costliest way to boost FPS. Our guide helps maximise your gaming experience until upgrades become necessary.

Quick Summary: Best FPS Boosting Actions for Windows 10

• Enable Win10 Game Mode for CPU prioritisation.
• Switch to High Performance power plan.
• Disable unnecessary background apps.
• Keep GPU drivers updated to latest versions.
• Adjust in-game settings focused on FPS over visuals.
• Perform clean boot if you suspect background interference.
• Set GPU power management for maximum performance.
• Configure virtual memory for stability.
• Disable fullscreen optimizations if stutters occur.
• Maintain PC hardware by cleaning dust regularly.

FAQ — Faster FPS in Windows 10

Q: Is Game Mode automatically enabled in Windows 10?
A: No, you must enable it manually in settings for it to take effect.

Q: Will disabling background apps affect my other programs?
A: It only stops apps running in the background, actual use won't be affected, but notifications or updates might pause.

Q: Does Windows 10 update cause FPS drops?
A: Sometimes updates run in the background affecting performance; Game Mode mitigates this but manual checks help.

Q: Can I boost FPS without changing hardware?
A: Absolutely. Optimising Windows settings and game options frequently improves FPS without extra cost.

Q: Should I disable antivirus for better FPS?
A: Temporarily disabling may help but poses security risks; better to set game folder exclusions.

Pricing and Availability

All the optimisation steps here are free and built into Windows 10 or downloadable directly from GPU maker websites. The only potential cost is if you later decide to buy new hardware to complement these software tweaks.

You can download free tools like MSI Afterburner or CPU-Z for monitoring your system. They add no extra cost but offer valuable insights during tweaking.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Boosting FPS in Windows 10 requires a holistic approach: leveraging built-in OS features, keeping drivers up to date, and managing system resources wisely. These optimisations are accessible for gamers without specialised tools or expensive upgrades.

Start with enabling Game Mode and switching power plans, then move to background apps and driver updates. Each step compounds benefits, making your gaming experience noticeably better.

For continuous improvement, subscribe to Windows and GPU updates, keep your system clean, and revisit settings based on the games you play.

Ready to level up your Windows 10 gaming rig? Explore our related guides on Windows 10 troubleshooting and PC hardware upgrades to complement your FPS boost journey.

Happy gaming!