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These two default Windows 11 features could be making your PC performance slow

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  Published in Humor and Quirks on Monday, November 3rd 2025 at 6:03 GMT by Neowin
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Windows 11’s Hidden Performance‑Hindering Features (and How to Fix Them)

Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 release promises a slick, modern interface and a host of new productivity tools, but for many users the default configuration can actually slow down everyday tasks. Two particular background services, often overlooked by the average PC owner, have been identified as significant culprits: SysMain (formerly Superfetch) and the Windows Search Indexer. Both services run automatically on most installations and, while they are designed to improve responsiveness in specific scenarios, they can consume a surprising amount of CPU, memory, and disk I/O on machines that are already under heavy load or that use mechanical drives.

1. SysMain – The “Smart‑Cache” Service

What It Does

SysMain is a Windows background service that preloads frequently used applications and files into RAM. By keeping a cache of hot data, it aims to reduce load times when launching programs or opening files. On Windows 10, SysMain was heavily promoted as a performance booster; however, the same logic does not always translate to better overall system performance, especially on low‑end hardware or older SSDs.

Why It Slows Down Windows 11

• Excessive Disk Access: On spinning hard drives, SysMain constantly reads from and writes to the disk, causing latency spikes that affect browsing, gaming, and media playback.
• Memory Hogging: SysMain can reserve a sizable portion of RAM for its cache. On systems with 4 GB or less, this leaves little memory for active applications, leading to increased paging to disk.
• Background Resource Drain: Even when not launching applications, SysMain keeps the CPU awake to manage the cache, generating a steady background load that can be noticeable in the Task Manager.

Turning It Off (If You Prefer a Smoother Experience)

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Locate SysMain, right‑click, and select Properties.
3. Change the Startup type to Disabled, then click Stop if the service is running.
4. Click Apply and OK.
5. Reboot the PC to confirm that SysMain no longer appears as a running service.

Alternatively, you can manage SysMain via PowerShell:
`powershell Stop-Service -Name SysMain Set-Service -Name SysMain -StartupType Disabled ` After disabling, you may notice a slight increase in application launch times for very large programs, but overall system responsiveness should improve, particularly during multi‑tasking or when running games that rely heavily on constant disk I/O.

2. Windows Search Indexer

What It Does

The Windows Search Indexer builds a searchable database of all files, emails, and application data on the PC. The idea is to deliver instant search results by pre‑parsing file contents, metadata, and properties. While this is useful for quick look‑ups, it can become a resource drain on older hardware.

Why It Slows Down Windows 11

• High CPU Usage: When the indexer is actively scanning new or modified files, it can spike CPU usage up to 30 % or more, temporarily stalling other processes.
• Disk I/O Intensive: Indexing writes a large amount of data to disk, creating competing read/write requests that delay other operations such as installing updates or loading large video files.
• Memory Consumption: The indexer holds a substantial amount of data in RAM to facilitate rapid searches. On machines with 4 GB of RAM or less, this can push the OS to swap to disk.

Managing the Indexer

Windows 11 offers several ways to reduce the impact of the indexer:

1. Exclude Drives or Folders
   - Open Settings → Privacy & security → Searching Windows → Advanced Search Indexer Settings.
   - Click Modify and uncheck any drives or folders that do not need to be indexed (e.g., external storage, large media libraries).
   - The index will be rebuilt without those items, significantly reducing background load.

2. Change Indexing Options
   - In the same settings panel, click Advanced.
   - Under the File Types tab, uncheck file extensions that you rarely search (e.g., .mp4, .jpg).
   - Reducing the number of file types indexed shortens the index build time and lowers memory use.

3. Set a Quiet Period
   - Still in the Advanced Search Indexer Settings, enable the Turn on quiet time option to pause indexing during a specific window (e.g., 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.).
   - This allows the indexer to run only when you’re not actively using the PC, ensuring that other tasks get priority.

4. Use Third‑Party Indexers
   - If you rely heavily on searching large directories, consider installing a dedicated indexing tool such as Everything (by Voidtools).
   - These tools use a lightweight, on‑the‑fly index that consumes far less CPU and memory than Windows’ built‑in service.

Additional Windows 11 Performance Tweaks

While SysMain and the Search Indexer are the most notorious default services that can throttle performance, Windows 11 also introduces several other background components that might affect the system:

• Windows Defender Real‑Time Protection: Continuous scanning can interfere with high‑intensity tasks. Adjusting the exclusions list or scheduling scans for off‑peak hours can help.
• Windows Update Automatic Restarts: The OS may attempt to reboot during idle periods, interrupting long‑running processes. Configuring Active Hours to match your work schedule prevents unexpected restarts.
• Game Mode: When enabled, Windows 11 attempts to prioritize resources for active games. For casual users, disabling this feature in Settings → Gaming can free up bandwidth for other tasks.

Practical Advice for Everyday Users

1. Monitor Resource Usage
   Use the built‑in Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) or Resource Monitor to spot which services are using the most CPU, memory, or disk I/O. A sudden spike can often be traced back to SysMain or the Search Indexer.

2. Update Your Hardware
   If you notice that these services consistently degrade performance, consider upgrading from a mechanical HDD to an SSD or increasing RAM. SSDs dramatically reduce the impact of disk‑intensive services, while more memory allows the OS to keep more cache in RAM without swapping.

3. Apply Windows Updates Responsibly
   While updates often bring security patches and new features, they also may tweak background service behavior. After a major update, run the Performance Troubleshooter in Settings → System → Troubleshoot to identify any newly introduced performance bottlenecks.

4. Custom Power Plans
   Create a custom power plan that sets Processor Power Management to “Maximum Performance” during gaming or content creation. This will keep your CPU from throttling, but be mindful that it can increase energy consumption.

Final Thoughts

Windows 11 is designed to feel fast and responsive, but its default background services can sometimes run counter to that goal. By disabling or fine‑tuning SysMain and the Windows Search Indexer, you can reclaim valuable CPU, memory, and disk resources, leading to smoother multitasking and quicker launch times. Combine these tweaks with regular system maintenance—cleaning temporary files, defragmenting mechanical drives, and keeping drivers up to date—to enjoy a Windows 11 experience that truly lives up to its promise of seamless performance.