There are numerous approaches to enhance your Windows experience, ranging from basic settings adjustments to advanced registry modifications and optimization software. However, certain techniques can be more harmful than beneficial. While you might see initial improvements, the long-term effects can be significantly worse. This guide outlines Windows optimization methods that are actually harmful.

Table of Contents

• 1. Disable Page File if You Have Sufficient RAM
• 2. UAC Isn’t Needed for the Administrator Account
• 3. Disable Windows Updates
• 4. Always Use the “Best Performance” Power Plan
• 5. Disable Superfetch (Sysmain) to Improve System Performance
• 6. Disable System Restore or Decrease Its Storage Size
• 7. Turn Off Hibernation to Save Disk Space

1. Disable Page File if You Have Sufficient RAM

The page file serves as virtual memory that Windows uses in addition to RAM to store processes that aren't immediately needed. It's often suggested to disable it if you have ample RAM for your daily activities. This can reduce disk I/O, enhance responsiveness, and prolong SSD life.

Although disabling it might seem appealing, it can lead to numerous system stability issues. You can never be certain if your RAM is sufficient. Opening a resource-intensive program or game later could fill the RAM, causing an immediate system crash.

Moreover, many applications and even Windows components operate under the assumption that virtual memory is active, so they might not function correctly if it's disabled. For instance, Windows relies on the page file to save kernel memory dumps for critical errors like BSOD.

Additionally, the benefits of disabling page files are less significant now. With an SSD, loading speeds are already fast enough that you won't notice any improvements in responsiveness. The impact on SSD lifespan is also minimal, as modern SSDs have high endurance.

If you must adjust the page file, it's better to move or resize it rather than disable it entirely.

2. UAC Isn’t Needed for the Administrator Account

Disabling User Account Control (UAC) might seem logical, as it's merely a confirmation prompt. When was the last time you clicked "No" on a UAC prompt? Probably never – it appears for every elevated action, but that doesn't mean the action itself is malicious.

This is why some suggest disabling UAC: to avoid these annoying pop-ups on admin accounts, as they serve no other purpose than to confirm actions you've initiated.

However, this annoying pop-up also acts as a manual checkpoint for actions not initiated by you. With UAC enabled, any malware still needs your manual permission to make system changes. If you suddenly receive a UAC pop-up without initiating any action, you'll likely become suspicious.

If UAC is disabled, malware can make changes without your knowledge. For your PC's security, it's better to tolerate this annoying pop-up than allow malware to operate freely.

3. Disable Windows Updates

Windows updates can download and install while you're using your PC and even restart it during your work. Windows update issues are common and can further disrupt your system. This is why some recommend disabling them and only enabling them when you're ready to install.

While Windows updates can be intrusive, disabling them isn't advisable. Apart from adding new features, these updates also include security patches that fix vulnerabilities and bugs, including zero-day exploits. These vulnerabilities can cause more damage than any inconvenience from the Windows update system.

It's better to manage Windows updates by adjusting active hours or delaying feature updates for a limited time. Completely disabling updates for optimization purposes will leave your system highly vulnerable.

4. Always Use the “Best Performance” Power Plan

One of the first tips for Windows optimization is to use the Best Performance power plan. While it technically puts Windows in the best performance state, it's not necessary for most users.

Using the Best Performance power plan won't magically speed up program loading or increase FPS. Even in the Balanced power plan, your system can reach its maximum potential when needed. The main difference is that Best Performance always runs the system near max speed, while the Balanced plan dynamically adjusts speed.

For regular tasks like browsing, streaming, and casual gaming, the balanced mode is preferable, as it saves power and reduces heat generation when extra power isn't needed. The only downside is that dynamic adjustments might introduce minor latency during sudden load changes, such as in heavy games.

In the Best Performance plan, the system operates near max power, which can lead to slightly smoother performance in heavy games and apps, as CPU power doesn't drop. Unless you're playing competitive games or running heavy audio/video apps, the Best Performance plan is detrimental to your PC.

5. Disable Superfetch (Sysmain) to Improve System Performance

Superfetch is a Windows service that preloads data from frequently used programs into RAM to speed up program loading times. This process uses more RAM and adds slight CPU and disk I/O overhead, so it's sometimes recommended to disable it to free up system resources and improve performance.

In reality, Superfetch has a minimal impact on performance, while its benefits are significant. Yes, it quickly fills up RAM, but that's beneficial. Unused RAM is considered wasted RAM, as it doesn't help the system. When Superfetch uses this free RAM to preload data, it's actually utilizing that wasted RAM. If RAM is needed for active programs, it can quickly flush this data to free up RAM.

This service also has a minimal impact on performance and usually operates in a passive state. You can open Task Manager (Ctrl Shift Esc) and search for "sysmain" to find its process. You'll notice it consumes zero CPU power during regular use and only one to two percent when active.

While it doesn't consume many resources, it significantly improves app loading times and multitasking. Your commonly used apps, like browsers, should load almost instantly thanks to it.

6. Disable System Restore or Decrease Its Storage Size

If you're running low on storage, you might be advised to disable system restore or reduce the storage size of restore points if you have a reliable backup strategy. By default, it occupies five percent of your total available storage, which can be significant, like 25 GB for a 500 GB drive.

While reclaiming dozens of GB of space might seem appealing, it's not worth disabling system restore. System restore is your best option to revert your system to a stable state if a critical issue occurs, such as system corruption, malware infection, or driver issues. Unlike backups, it restores your system to an earlier state before the problem, including changes to system settings and apps.

It's also not recommended to decrease its storage space, as you need a reliable restore point to properly restore the system. Less storage leads to fewer restore points and faster deletion of older ones, so you might miss the restore point created before the problem. If you can't use system restore for any reason, you'll have to reset Windows, which will delete all apps and reset settings.

7. Turn Off Hibernation to Save Disk Space

Another common Windows optimization tip is to disable the hibernation feature, as most people don't use it. The hibernation feature takes up space on your system drive equal to your RAM size, which can be substantial if you have a lot of RAM. However, even if you don't use the hibernation feature, you shouldn't disable it, as it's a core part of the system.

Disabling hibernation indirectly affects the following important features:

• Fast startup won't work: the fast startup feature uses the hibernation feature to store data for quick startup. Without hibernation, it won't work, leading to slow boot times.
• Laptop will shut down when it reaches low battery: at critical battery levels, laptops save all the data and hibernate to prevent data loss. Without hibernation, it will shut down abruptly, and you'll lose unsaved data.
• PC won’t hibernate due to inactivity: by default, laptops and desktops automatically enter hibernate mode from sleep mode after a few hours of inactivity. This is crucial for saving battery if the device is left unattended for an extended period, which won't work without the hibernation feature.

Just because you don't use the hibernate feature doesn't mean you should disable it to free up space.

This shouldn't discourage you from exploring Windows optimization methods in general – just ensure you research thoroughly and consider the hidden downsides. Since such drastic measures often target gaming, exploring better, safer methods to optimize Windows for gaming could be your next step.

Image credit: Freepik. All screenshots by Karrar Haider.

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