This Windows 11 installation setting can cut your SSD performance in half. Here’s how to disable it.
Solid-State Drives (SSDs) have increasingly become the go-to storage option for modern computers. Known for their high speed and reliability, SSDs provide faster boot times, quicker file transfers, and smoother overall system performance. However, even the best SSDs can be hampered by certain software settings. One such setting can significantly diminish the performance of your SSD, but thankfully, it can be easily disabled in Windows 11.
The culprit here is a feature called “Superfetch.” Superfetch is a Windows service that is designed to anticipate and load frequently used applications into memory, improving system responsiveness. While this feature can be helpful on traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), it can actually hinder the performance of SSDs.
When Superfetch is enabled on Windows 11 with an SSD, it attempts to pre-load data from the drive into memory, but since SSDs already have extremely fast access times, this extra caching step can cause unnecessary delays. This means that rather than enhancing SSD performance, Superfetch can actually diminish it, effectively cutting your SSD’s performance in half.
Thankfully, disabling Superfetch is a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open the Start menu and search for “Services”.
Step 2: Click on the “Services” app that appears in the search results to open the Services Manager.
Step 3: In the Services Manager, locate and double-click on the “Superfetch” service.
Step 4: A window named “Superfetch Properties” will open. Under the “General” tab, you will see a “Startup type” dropdown menu.
Step 5: From the dropdown menu, select “Disabled”.
Step 6: Click on the “Apply” button to save the changes, and then click “OK” to exit the Superfetch Properties window.
Step 7: Restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.
By following these simple steps, you can disable Superfetch and potentially regain the full performance of your SSD. However, keep in mind that Superfetch might still provide benefits if you are using a traditional HDD. Therefore, it is recommended to disable this feature only if you are using an SSD.
It is worth mentioning that Superfetch has evolved into a similar feature known as “SysMain” in Windows 10 and Windows 11. If you are using either of these operating systems, you can follow the same steps outlined above to disable SysMain.
In conclusion, while SSDs are powerful storage devices, certain Windows settings can inadvertently limit their performance. Disabling the Superfetch (or SysMain) feature in Windows 11 can help maximize your SSD’s capabilities. By taking a few minutes to adjust this setting, you can significantly improve your system’s performance and enjoy the full benefits of your SSD’s speed and responsiveness.
