- Windows 11 animations and transparencies consume resources and affect smoothness on modest computers.
- You can disable them from Accessibility or fine-tune them in System Properties to balance aesthetics and performance.
- The improvement is in perceived responsiveness: it doesn't increase FPS or raw power, but everything feels more responsive.
- The changes are safe and reversible; reactivate the effects whenever you want without affecting the system.
¿How to disable animations and transparencies to make Windows 11 run faster? Windows 11 is visually appealing with its modern look, smooth transitions, and translucent effects, but all of that comes at a performance cost, which is particularly noticeable on modest machines. If your PC barely meets the requirements or if you simply prefer a more responsive experience, disabling animations and transparencies can significantly improve system smoothness. It's a quick, reversible, and completely safe change.and it doesn't affect the functions or your applications, only how some visual effects are displayed.
It's important to clarify this from the start: these aesthetic options enhance the experience, but they demand CPU, GPU, and memory. By disabling them, the desktop and apps feel more responsive, and windows appear without any unnecessary embellishments. You won't gain FPS in games or experience miracles of power.But it does provide a sense of speed that reduces clumsiness when opening, moving, or minimizing windows. And if you change computers in the future or want to restore the effects, you can reactivate them in seconds.
Why do animations and transparencies affect performance?
Animations are those smooth transitions when opening, minimizing, or maximizing windows, and transparencies add a translucent touch to the interface. All very eye-catching, yes, but Those details require graphic and computational resources to calculate, render, and apply effects in real time. On a PC with 4–8 GB of RAM, an entry-level CPU, and integrated graphics, this extra work can result in slight delays and a feeling of sluggishness.
In fact, some users and experts have noticed that Windows 11 feels slower than Windows 10 for everyday tasks, even on powerful computers and high refresh rate monitors. The interface shines, but the transitions can "drag" the perception Regarding fluidity: even if the hardware is capable, the duration and number of animations add milliseconds that contribute to the overall effect.
It is important to emphasize a key point: disabling these effects does not make your processor run faster or your graphics card perform beyond its capabilities. It's an optimization of the visual experience, not an overclock.What you'll notice is that everything "enters" faster: less time wasted on animations and, therefore, a more direct response to the click or keyboard shortcut.
And, in case you're wondering, you don't lose any features: you'll still have the same start menu, the same apps, and the same taskbar. We only removed the embellishments. to prioritize speed. If you change your mind, simply reactivate the options and you're all set.
Disable animations from Settings: the quick way
If you want to get straight to the point and immediately trim the "makeup layer" of Windows 11, the shortest path is in the Accessibility panel. In just a couple of clicks you can disable animations and, if you want, transparencies as well.The changes are applied instantly, with no restarts or fuss.
- Open Settings (Windows + I) or right-click on the desktop and enter “Display settings”.
- In the side menu, go to “Accessibility”. This is the section that brings together visual and interaction settings.
- Go to “Visual Effects”.
- Turn off “Animation Effects”. The system will reduce transitions and movements in the interface.
- Optional: also disable “Transparency effects” so that translucent backgrounds transition to solid tones and save a little more resources.
As for the results, you'll notice it instantly: the windows stop "floating" and appear more directly, and when minimizing or maximizing, that small delay caused by the transitions is eliminated. It's an ideal fit for older or underpowered computers.and also for those who prioritize a quick response over visual appeal.
Adjust visual effects from System Properties: fine control
If you prefer a more granular approach, Windows 11 retains the classic "System Properties" panel with all the visual effects checkboxes. Here you can choose a preset or customize which animations and decorations to keep. Perfect if you want a balance between performance and aesthetics..
- Press Windows + R to open “Run”, type sysdm.cpl and accept. You can also search for “View advanced system settings” from the Start menu.
- On the “Advanced Options” tab, within the “Performance” section, click on “Settings…”.
- In “Visual Effects” you will see four options:
- Let Windows choose the most suitable configuration for the equipment.
- Adjust for best appearance, which activates all effects and shadows.
- Adjust for best performance, which disables the set of animations and visual embellishments.
- Customize now, which lets you select and deselect each effect individually.
If you choose “Adjust for best performance”, you will see a more understated interface: The letters will lose their shadows, the windows will appear without transitions And everything will feel more immediate. If you prefer "Customize," we recommend unchecking at least these boxes to maximize responsiveness without completely sacrificing the modern look:
- Animate controls and elements within windows.
- Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing.
- Animations on the taskbar.
- (Optional) Show shadows under windows and menus, if you want to add a few extra milliseconds.
This panel is ideal for fearless experimentation: try combinations, apply them, and observe how the system responds. There's no risk: you can change your mind and go back as many times as you like. If you later upgrade your PC to a more powerful one, simply select "Better appearance" to instantly restore the visual effects.
When should you disable these options?
It is especially recommended if your computer is running low on resources: less than 8 GB of RAM, entry-level CPU, integrated graphics, or not very fast storage. In these cases, removing animations and transparencies reduces the workload on the system. and reduces the visual "burden" that makes everything seem slower than it actually is.
Even if you easily meet the requirements, you might prefer a more responsive click. Some users with high refresh rate monitors (144 Hz or 240 Hz) say that the animations make Windows 11 feel "heavier" than Windows 10. Reducing the effects softens that feeling and provides immediacy. when moving around the desktop, opening Explorer, or switching between windows.
If you work with many apps at once, constantly open and close windows, or switch between virtual desktops, you'll notice the clearest benefit. These are repetitive actions where each transition adds up.Eliminating them translates into seconds gained throughout the day and a perception of greater agility.
Another typical scenario is the battle laptop with 4GB to 8GB of RAM: applying "Better performance" to visual effects can be a lifesaver. The change is immediate and requires no restart.If you later install more memory or upgrade your hardware, you can always revert to a more visually appealing setting.
Frequently asked questions and clarifications
Does this improve FPS in games or the raw performance of demanding apps? No. Desktop visual effects do not multiply the power of your CPU or GPUThe benefit lies in the perceived speed when interacting with the interface: windows and menus appear sooner because we eliminate transitions.
Can I "speed up" animations instead of disabling them, like on some mobile phones? Windows 11 doesn't offer animation speed control like Android's developer options. The practical way to make everything feel faster is to reduce or disable animations. through Accessibility or with the Performance panel in System Properties.
Will anything break if I remove the transparencies or animations? Not at all. The functions remain intact; only the decorations have changed.Apps, menus, and windows operate the same, only without transitions and translucent backgrounds. And remember: everything is reversible.
What's the difference between removing "Transparency" and enabling "Better Performance" in the classic panel? Disabling only Transparency preserves many animations but removes the translucent layer, which Reduce the graphic cost without removing all the flourishesWith "Better performance", on the other hand, you disable all visual effects at once to maximize agility.
How do I reactivate it if I'm not happy with it? Go back to Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects to reactivate "Animation effects" and "Transparency effects", or open sysdm.cpl and choose "Better appearance" or "Let Windows choose". Regaining a modern look is just two clicks awayIn addition to all this, if you're thinking of buying another laptop or PC to upgrade, we recommend this article: What to look for when buying an Ultra laptop: VRAM, SSD, TDP, and display
Alternative access routes and little tricks
If you're more comfortable using the Desktop, there's a convenient shortcut: right-click on the wallpaper, select "Display settings," and from the side menu, go to "Accessibility" and "Visual effects." For those nostalgic for the classic panelAnother useful path is Settings > System > Information (at the bottom), “Advanced system settings” and, under Performance, “Settings…”.
A practical tip: if you're torn between appearance and speed, start by disabling only "Animation Effects" and "Transparency" in Accessibility. It is the minimum dose with a visible impact.If you want to get a little more out of it, finish with "Animate controls and elements" and "Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing" in the classic panel.
After applying “Better performance”, it is normal to notice that the typography and menus look flatter: you have removed shadows and transitions. That is precisely what accelerates perceptionIf you miss any aesthetic touches, only activate the boxes that add value for you (for example, shadows under the pointer or font edge smoothing).
Those who use many virtual desktops or switch tasks often particularly appreciate this adjustment. Less animation means drier, faster transitionsThis adds to productivity when you're constantly switching between apps, documents, and browsers.
Additional tips for gaining agility
Besides animations, there are other factors that contribute to the system's feeling of lightness. In Windows 11, it's a good idea to review your startup apps and software you no longer use: Reduce bloatware and control what starts with the system It helps everything run more smoothly from the very beginning. It's not a requirement for the animations to be removed, but it's a plus.
Another point that might interest you, especially if your drive is an SSD: some users consider disabling BitLocker on computers where it's not needed. to squeeze a little more performance out of the unitThis is a decision with security implications, so weigh the pros and cons before making any changes. In any case, it's not essential to notice the improvement when removing animations and transparencies.
If after these changes you still notice that Windows 11 is running sluggishly, consider a small hardware upgrade (going from 4 GB to 8 GB of RAM, for example) or checking background processes. Visual optimizations are a good first stepbut they don't replace a system with balanced resources for your tasks.
One last idea for those looking for a middle ground: use "Customize" in the Visual Effects panel to keep just what adds aesthetic value (perhaps some shadows) and disable what slows down interaction the most (minimize/maximize animations and the taskbar). It's the way to have a beautiful Windows 11, but without the handbrake..
Quick guide: two ways to make Windows 11 faster
If you like to have your steps clearly marked, here are the two main routes. Note: you don't need to use both; one is enough. Choose the one that's most comfortable for you. and test how your team responds.
Method 1: Accessibility > Visual Effects
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects and turn off “Animation effects”. For an extra touch, turn off “Transparency effects”. You'll see the change instantly. when opening windows or moving them around the desktop.
Method 2: System Properties (sysdm.cpl)
Open Run (Windows + R), type sysdm.cpl, go to the "Advanced" tab > Performance > Settings… and check "Adjust for best performance". Or choose "Customize" and uncheck "Animate controls and items", "Animate windows when minimizing and maximizing", and "Animations in the taskbar". It's the balanced recipe for slimming down without leaving the interface bare..
For those who came from Windows 10 and find Windows 11 more sluggish, this combination of tweaks has proven to give it that missing bit of liveliness. These are changes that take less than a minuteThey are applied without restarting and do not compromise stability or compatibility.
By removing embellishments like transitions, shadows, and transparencies, Windows 11 gains a more responsive feel and reacts faster to your actions. It won't work magic on your FPS or with heavy calculationsBut it does reduce subtle wait times with each interaction. And as always, if you prefer the aesthetic finish, you can restore the effects whenever you want with a couple of clicks.
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