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In Windows 10, open Settings > Devices > Mouse > Additional Mouse Options. If it's been a while since you dove into your mouse's settings, there are a few things you might want to change. You've probably gotten used to how your mouse moves on screen, but certain settings are designed more for desktop work than gaming. (And turn off notifications so they don't bother you while you're playing.) Instead of hunting through the registry for obscure tweaks, you're better off focusing your attention on your hardware, drivers, and in-game settings. Many of the tips you'll find for doing so are outdated or straight-up useless. You might also try turning it off, as it has been known to cause problems (Opens in a new window) with certain games.Īpart from this, don't put too much stock in "slimming down" Windows for gaming. Game Mode is on by default in current versions of Windows 10 and 11, but it doesn't hurt to check-head to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode and flip the switch to On. It also prevents Windows Update from installing new drivers or sending restart notifications, which is a nice bonus.
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It dedicates more of your system to the game you're playing, so background processes can't steal precious CPU power.
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Windows' built-in Game Mode is designed to help with this as well. In general, closing those background programs is a good idea, but don't expect miracles. If you have hardware-hungry programs open in the background, they may prevent your PC from using its full potential in games-particularly if you have a lower-end PC with limited resources. How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.
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