To speed up your Windows 11 laptop, start with five built-in settings: switch Power Mode to Best Performance, enable Efficiency Mode in Task Manager, disable high-impact startup programs, reduce visual effects, and turn on Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling. These controls take under ten minutes to configure, cost nothing, and require no downloads, registry edits, or IT support.
Most Windows 11 speed tips online are recycled from Windows 10 and miss the features Microsoft® added specifically for Windows 11. This guide walks you through each setting panel, slider, and toggle - all free, all built-in - so you can get measurable performance gains from your HP laptop right away.
The Windows 11 Power Mode Setting (And Why You Should Change It)
If you want to speed up Windows 11, Power Mode is the best place to start. This slider lets you choose between Best Performance, Best Power Efficiency, or a balanced experience.
Most laptops ship in Balanced mode. Switching to Best Performance unlocks higher CPU and GPU clock headroom, which means demanding tasks like video editing, multitasking, and creative work run noticeably smoother. Switching to Best Power Efficiency extends battery life by limiting background activity.
We recommend Best Performance when you're plugged in. Switch back to Balanced or battery saver mode when you're on the go.
How to get there: Start → Settings → System → Power & battery → Power mode
HP OmniBook laptops include HP Battery Health Manager, which works alongside Windows power settings to optimize long-term battery performance.
Efficiency Mode in Task Manager (Windows 11 Only)
Efficiency Mode is a Task Manager feature introduced in Windows 11 22H2 that throttles a background app's CPU priority and enables EcoQoS. It reduces resource consumption without closing the app.
Here's why that matters: browser tabs, cloud sync apps, update services, and other background processes compete with your active app for CPU cycles. Efficiency Mode pushes them to low priority without killing them, freeing up resources for whatever you're actually working on.
How to get there: Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) → Processes tab → right-click any process → Efficiency Mode
The process shows a leaf icon when Efficiency Mode is active. Some system processes cannot have it applied. For safety, don't apply Efficiency Mode to antivirus software, Windows Security, or any process you don't recognize. Safe targets include browser instances, cloud backup apps, and update clients.
To turn it off: Open Task Manager → find the process → right-click → toggle Efficiency Mode off.
Turn Off Visual Effects for a Snappier Feel
Windows 11 runs animations, shadows, and transparency effects by default. On laptops with integrated graphics or older hardware, these effects consume CPU and GPU cycles. Disabling or reducing them makes UI transitions noticeably faster - especially useful on mid-range hardware like an HP OmniBook 5.
How to get there: Start → Settings → System → About → Advanced system settings → Performance → Settings → select "Adjust for best performance" or "Custom" to keep specific effects you prefer
On Copilot+ PCs like the HP OmniBook X or HP OmniBook Ultra Flip, the NPU offloads some visual effects. The performance gains from this setting are more significant on non-Copilot+ hardware.
Manage Startup Programs
Every app that launches at startup consumes RAM and CPU during boot and continues running in the background. New HP laptops sometimes come with pre-installed apps set to auto-launch, and over time, other installed software adds itself to the startup list. Both boot time and post-boot responsiveness suffer as the list grows.
How to get there: Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) → Startup apps tab → right-click any app with "High" startup impact → Disable
We recommend keeping HP Support Assistant enabled. It provides system health monitoring and driver updates that help keep your laptop running smoothly.
Enable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS)
HAGS moves GPU scheduling from the CPU to the GPU's own hardware scheduler, reducing latency and freeing CPU cycles. It's especially beneficial on HP laptops with NVIDIA® or AMD discrete graphics, as well as recent Intel® Arc™ integrated GPUs.
Enabling HAGS reduces frame latency in games and accelerates GPU-heavy creative apps like video editors and AI tools.
How to get there: Start → Settings → System → Display → Graphics → Change default graphics settings → Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling → On
If the toggle isn't visible, your device's GPU doesn't support HAGS. No action is needed.
Quick Reference: Windows 11 Performance Settings at a Glance
Setting | Where to Find It | What It Does | Best For |
Power Mode (Best Performance) | Settings → System → Power & battery | Increases CPU/GPU clock headroom | Plugged-in use and demanding tasks |
Efficiency Mode | Task Manager → Processes (right-click) | Throttles background app CPU priority | Any laptop with active background apps |
Visual Effects | System → About → Advanced system settings | Reduces animation and transparency overhead | Older or mid-range hardware |
Startup Programs | Task Manager → Startup apps | Reduces boot time and background RAM use | All HP laptops |
Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling | Settings → System → Display → Graphics | Reduces GPU latency and frees CPU cycles | Laptops with discrete or Arc GPU |
Energy Recommendations | Settings → System → Power & battery → Energy recommendations | Windows-suggested power optimizations | Battery-focused users |
Frequently Asked Questions
What Windows 11 settings make a laptop faster?
Five built-in Windows 11 settings improve laptop speed without any downloads: the Power Mode slider (set to Best Performance), Efficiency Mode in Task Manager, disabling high-impact startup programs, reducing visual effects, and enabling Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling. All five are free and accessible through Settings or Task Manager.
How do I enable Best Performance mode in Windows 11?
Open Settings → System → Power & battery → Power mode → select Best Performance. This setting increases CPU and GPU clock headroom and works best when the laptop is plugged in.
How do I enable the Ultimate Performance power plan in Windows 11?
Open Command Prompt as administrator by typing "cmd" in the Start menu and selecting "Run as administrator." Enter the powercfg command to unhide the plan, then open Control Panel → Power Options → Show additional plans → select Ultimate Performance.
What is Efficiency Mode in Windows 11 Task Manager?
Efficiency Mode is a Windows 11 feature that deprioritizes a background process's CPU usage without closing it. To apply it, open Task Manager and right-click any process in the Processes tab. A leaf icon appears next to processes with Efficiency Mode active.
Does turning off visual effects make Windows 11 faster?
Yes, especially on mid-range or older hardware. Animations, shadows, and transparency effects consume CPU and GPU resources. Opening the Visual Effects panel and selecting "Adjust for best performance" reduces that overhead and makes the interface feel more responsive.
How do I stop background apps from slowing down Windows 11?
Two built-in tools help manage background apps. First, open Task Manager → Startup apps to disable high-impact programs that auto-launch at boot. Second, use Efficiency Mode in Task Manager to throttle active background processes. Do not disable antivirus software or Windows Security.
What is Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling and should I enable it?
Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS) lets the GPU handle its own scheduling instead of relying on the CPU. This reduces frame latency and frees CPU resources. Enable it on laptops with NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel Arc GPUs by navigating to Settings → System → Display → Graphics → Change default graphics settings.
Will these settings void my HP laptop warranty?
No. Every setting in this guide is a standard Windows 11 control. None involve BIOS changes, registry edits, or third-party software. Adjusting Power Mode, Efficiency Mode, or startup programs does not affect HP warranty coverage.
Conclusion
Windows 11 includes built-in performance controls that most users never open. These five settings take under ten minutes to configure and cost nothing. Small changes in software settings can meaningfully improve day-to-day speed, especially on laptops that are two to three years old. For more ways to optimize your setup, explore our guide to speeding up a slow PC or browse HP OmniBook laptops for a hardware upgrade.
About the Author
Beata Perzanowska is a technology writer covering AI, IT infrastructure, and business technology topics.
