Microsoft has issued a fresh advisory for Windows users, warning that two commonly used features in Windows 10 and Windows 11 could be silently dragging down system performance, especially on older or lower-end machines.
In a newly published support document offering “tips to improve PC performance in Windows,” the company acknowledged that even built-in features designed for convenience and aesthetics may come at a cost. Alongside the usual advice like keeping your system updated, freeing up disk space, and scanning for malware, Microsoft pointed to two features behind a PC’s slow performance. Read on to know more.
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The first feature that could be slowing down your PC is OneDrive’s automatic file synchronisation. Even though this is practical for backing up data and keeping files accessible across devices, the feature consumes both computing resources and network bandwidth. Microsoft confirmed this in its own documentation, saying, “Syncing can slow down your PC,” especially during periods of heavy use or when multiple apps are running.
The company suggests temporarily pausing OneDrive syncing to free up resources. Users can do this by clicking the OneDrive icon in the system tray, opening the Settings menu, and selecting “Pause syncing.” The feature allows a pause duration of two, eight, or twenty-four hours, which can provide an immediate improvement in performance, especially on older systems or those with limited RAM and CPU power.
Moreover, Visual effects could be another performance drain. While the sleek animations, transparency, and shadows of the Windows 11 interface add polish to the experience, they also consume memory and GPU bandwidth. “These effects look great, but they can also use additional system resources and slow down your PC,” Microsoft notes, adding that users with less than 8GB of RAM may notice the difference more acutely.
To disable these effects, users can search “performance” in the Start menu and open the “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows” option. From there, selecting “Adjust for best performance” under the Visual Effects tab will turn off non-essential animations and graphical flourishes.
For users still struggling with slow systems, the company’s support documentation also points toward other options, such as reducing startup apps, managing background processes, and keeping drivers up to date. These incremental tweaks can collectively help extend the life of older hardware, especially at a time when upgrading to new systems remains expensive for many users.
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