Windows 11 includes a feature called “Game Mode” which is enabled by default. When the operating system detects that you have launched a video game, Game Mode aggressively diverts CPU and GPU resources to the game. To achieve this, it halts background processes, prevents Windows Updates from installing, and throttles notifications and driver installations.
While great for maximizing framerates in demanding titles, Game Mode can be disastrous if you use your PC for multi-tasking. If you leave a 3D rendering job, a massive file download, or a video encoding process running in the background while you play a casual indie game in a window, Game Mode will throttle your background tasks, turning a 30-minute render into a multi-hour slog. You can disable Game Mode to ensure your background applications are never throttled.
How to Turn Off Game Mode in Windows 11
You can disable the resource management system directly from the Windows Settings app.
- Click the Start button and select the Settings gear icon (or press Windows Key + I).
- In the left-hand navigation pane, click on Gaming.
- In the main window on the right, click on Game Mode.
- You will see a single toggle switch labelled Game Mode.
- Click the toggle switch to turn it completely Off.
Windows 11 will no longer attempt to intelligently manage your CPU priorities when a full-screen application is launched. If you have a powerful multi-core processor, your background tasks (like compiling code or rendering video) will continue to run at full speed, completely unimpeded, even while you are actively playing a video game.