Are you gaming on a low spec Windows 10 PC? If so, you’ve probably experienced the frustration of lag, low FPS, or sudden stuttering in the middle of a gaming session. This can really ruin your experience – but don’t worry – you can avoid spending a ton of cash upgrading your PC just to play your most loved titles smoothly, which is the good news!
One quick fix that is absolutely free and often helps to solve gaming performance issues?
What is Game Mode in Windows 10?
Game Mode is a feature of Windows 10 that is built-in in the latest version of Windows to help boost your games performance. Game Mode shifts the focus of your computer system resources toward the game you are playing. All PC games may have different performance issues in regard to RAM, CPU, and GPU. Game Mode automatically gives a priority to the entire “game” process which ultimately directs more CPU, GPU, and RAM resources toward your game instead of wasting unnecessary resources on background processes.
In a nutshell: your PC is focusing more on gaming and shifting away from everything else.
What does Game Mode actually do?
- Reduces interruptions from background apps
- Helps stabilize frame rates (fewer drops and stutters)
- Minimizes lag
- Disables Windows updates and notifications during gameplay
So while it might not boost your maximum FPS dramatically, it smooths out performance—which can be a game-changer on low-end systems.
Windows 10 Game Mode Benefits
Before diving into how to enable it, here are some Windows 10 Game Mode benefits:
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Better FPS Stability
While it might not dramatically increase max FPS, it helps you improve FPS with Game Mode by reducing dips and stutters—keeping gameplay smoother overall.
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Lower Input Lag
By cutting down on non-essential background tasks, input response becomes quicker and more fluid.
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Reduced Background Distractions
Notifications and updates are minimized while gaming—letting you stay focused.
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Efficient Use of System Resources
This is especially valuable for low-end PCs, where every bit of RAM or CPU counts.
How to Enable Game Mode on Windows 10
Enabling this feature is very simple and takes less than a minute. Here’s how:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Click on Gaming.
- In the left panel, select Game Mode.
- Toggle the switch to On.
- That’s it. You’ve now activated the mode designed to boost gaming performance on Windows 10.
Combine Game Mode with Other Performance Boosts
To make the most of this feature, try combining it with other system tweaks:
Turn Off Background Apps
Go to Settings > Privacy > Background Apps and disable unnecessary apps running in the background. Less RAM usage means more power for your game.
Use a High-Performance Power Plan
- Go to Control Panel > Power Options
- Select High Performance
This tells Windows to prioritize speed over power savings.
Disable Visual Effects
- Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and hit Enter
- Go to Performance Settings under the Advanced tab
- Choose Adjust for best performance
These steps help your system focus all available resources toward your game, further enhancing the Windows 10 Game Mode benefits.
Improve FPS with Game Mode (And In-Game Settings)
While enabling Game Mode is a great start, tweaking in-game settings makes a massive difference—especially on low-end PCs.
Recommended Settings:
- Resolution: 1280×720 (720p)
- Shadows: Off
- Texture Quality: Low
- Anti-Aliasing: Low or Off
- V-Sync: Off (unless you face screen tearing)
This combination plus Game Mode helps deliver smoother gameplay.
When Not to Use Game Mode
Although useful, Game Mode isn’t perfect for every setup.
- If you’re streaming or running multiple background apps while gaming, Game Mode may conflict with those needs.
- On some high-end systems, the impact is minimal and could interfere with background tasks like voice chat, overlays, or monitoring tools.
But for low-end machines, it’s usually a win.
Final Thoughts
For a fast and effective way to improve gaming performance on Windows 10, the first thing to do is enable Game Mode on Windows 10. It’s free, it takes seconds to turn on, and it provides real value—especially for lower-end or older PCs.
Combine it with a few basic tweaks (like disabling background apps, cleaning up startup programs, and optimizing in-game settings), and you’ll have a noticeably smoother experience. No new hardware, no complicated installs—just smarter gaming.
optimize gaming experience on Windows. Boost your FPS. Enjoy lag-free games. All by flipping a switch.
Now that you know how to enable Game Mode on Windows 10—go ahead and unlock your PC’s gaming potential.
