How to Increase FPS on Windows 11 in 2026: DLSS 4.5, FSR, XeSS & HAGS Guide (October Update)

Stutter in a ranked match or a slideshow in a path-traced single-player game usually has a fixable cause. This guide shows you how to increase FPS on Windows 11 using only settings that Microsoft, NVIDIA, AMD and Intel document themselves, and it reflects the state of things in October 2026: Windows 11 version 25H2, NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 and DLSS 5, AMD FSR “Redstone” with FSR Upscaling 4.1, and Intel XeSS 3.

Work through it in order, because knowing how to increase FPS depends on knowing what is slowing you down. First, measure; next, fix Windows; then update drivers; and finally, turn on upscaling. That way, you will know which change actually helped.

What Is FPS, and Why Does It Drop?

FPS (frames per second) is the number of finished images your PC sends to the monitor each second, so higher FPS means smoother motion and fresher information on screen. It drops when one part of the chain, usually the graphics card (GPU) or the processor (CPU), cannot keep up with what the game asks of it.

However, average FPS tells only half the story. The “1% low” figure, the frame rate of your slowest 1% of frames, shows stutter much better. Frame time, the milliseconds between frames, is the same idea in reverse: 60 FPS equals about 16.7 ms per frame, 144 FPS about 6.9 ms, and 240 FPS about 4.2 ms. As a result, a game that averages 140 FPS but spikes to 30 ms frame times will still feel choppy.

• GPU-bound: GPU usage sits near 100%. Lower resolution-heavy settings or turn on upscaling.
• CPU-bound: GPU usage is well below 100% while FPS is low. Lower CPU-heavy settings such as crowd density, or cap your frame rate for smoother pacing.
• Something else: background apps, an old driver, heat, or slow storage. The troubleshooting section below covers each.

How Do You Measure FPS Before Changing Anything?

Use a free overlay to record average FPS, 1% lows and GPU usage in the same scene before and after each change. Otherwise, any advice on how to increase FPS is guesswork.

1. Pick an overlay. NVIDIA owners can use the NVIDIA app overlay, which shows FPS, 1% lows, GPU and CPU utilization, and PC latency. AMD owners can use the performance stats in AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition. On any PC, press Windows key + G to open Xbox Game Bar and its performance widget.
2. Choose a repeatable test. Use a built-in benchmark, or the same 60-second route in the same map.
3. Write down three numbers. Average FPS, 1% low FPS and GPU usage.
4. Change one thing at a time. Then rerun the test and compare.

How to Increase FPS on Windows 11: 7 Settings to Check

Windows 11 handles most gaming optimization by default, but seven settings are worth checking by hand. Microsoft’s own advice is to confirm Game Mode is on and then review the Graphics page, where hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling, Optimizations for windowed games and Auto HDR live.

1. Turn on Game Mode

Game Mode tells Windows to prioritize the game you are playing. According to Microsoft’s Windows 11 gaming page, it should already be on by default, so this step is mostly a check.

1. Open Start > Settings > Gaming.
2. Select Game Mode and make sure the switch is On.

2. Enable hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling (HAGS)

Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling (HAGS) lets Windows hand most GPU scheduling work to dedicated hardware on the graphics card, which reduces load on your CPU. Microsoft’s DirectX team notes that the switch only appears if your GPU and its driver support it.

1. Open Start > Settings > System > Display > Graphics.
2. Expand Advanced graphics settings (older builds label this “Change default graphics settings”).
3. Turn on Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling.
4. Restart your PC so the change takes effect.

Results vary by system. Therefore, benchmark with HAGS on and off; if a specific game stutters with it on, turn it off and restart again.

3. Turn on Optimizations for windowed games

This setting helps DirectX 10 and DirectX 11 games that run in windowed or borderless windowed mode. According to Microsoft Support, it moves compatible games from the older “blt” presentation model to the newer “flip” model, which reduces frame latency and enables Auto HDR and variable refresh rate.

1. Go to Start > Settings > System > Display > Graphics.
2. Under Default settings, turn on Optimizations for windowed games.
3. Restart your game.

Note that turning on Auto HDR switches this on automatically. To turn it off for one game only, select the game under Custom options for apps, choose Options, flip the switch, and select Save.

4. Turn on variable refresh rate (VRR)

Variable refresh rate (VRR) lets a G-SYNC, FreeSync or VESA Adaptive-Sync monitor match its refresh rate to your frame rate, which cuts tearing and stutter. Windows’ own VRR switch also extends support to DirectX 11 full-screen games that lack VRR natively.

1. Open Settings > System > Display > Graphics and expand Advanced graphics settings.
2. Turn on Variable refresh rate. If it is missing, your display or driver does not support it.
3. Also enable G-SYNC (NVIDIA app or Control Panel) or FreeSync (monitor menu and AMD Software) for your display.

5. Run your monitor at its full refresh rate

Many 144 Hz or 240 Hz monitors ship running at 60 Hz. Consequently, your extra frames never reach the screen.

1. Go to Start > Settings > System > Display > Advanced display.
2. Next to Choose a refresh rate, pick the highest value. An asterisk means that rate will change your resolution.

6. Set Power mode to Best performance

Windows 11 now uses Power mode instead of the old power-plan list for most PCs. Microsoft says Best performance can help the CPU run faster when needed, although it raises power use and makes laptops run warmer.

1. Open Start > Settings > System > Power & battery.
2. Under Power mode, choose Best performance for Plugged in.
3. If the menu is grayed out, a custom power plan is active. In that case, open Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options, select Balanced, and try again.

7. Pick the right GPU and trim background apps

Gaming laptops often have two GPUs, and a game that lands on the weaker integrated chip will run badly. Meanwhile, startup apps quietly eat CPU time on every PC.

1. In Settings > System > Display > Graphics, select your game under Custom options for apps, choose Options, and set High performance.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, open Startup apps, and disable anything you do not need at boot.
3. Finally, install pending updates in Settings > Windows Update, including Advanced options > Optional updates, which can carry driver fixes.

On Windows 11 version 24H2 or later, you can also try Xbox mode, a full-screen, controller-friendly launcher (Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode, or press Windows key + F11). Microsoft says that on handhelds with “Enter Xbox mode on startup” turned on, Windows limits background processes to improve gaming performance.

Which GPU Driver Settings Actually Help?

An up-to-date driver from your GPU maker is the single easiest fix, because each release adds game-specific tuning and bug fixes. Always download it from NVIDIA, AMD or Intel directly, never from a third-party “driver updater.”

NVIDIA: NVIDIA app and Game Ready Drivers

The NVIDIA app installs GeForce Game Ready Drivers, which NVIDIA tunes with developers for launch day. It also offers one-click optimized game settings, DLSS Override to upgrade older games to newer DLSS models, and Smooth Motion frame generation for RTX 50 and RTX 40 Series cards.

1. Install or open the NVIDIA app and go to Drivers; install the latest Game Ready Driver.
2. Turn on NVIDIA Reflex (Reflex Low Latency) in any game that offers it; it reduces PC latency by syncing CPU and GPU work.
3. If you play in borderless windowed mode, note that the September 3, 2026 app update added Borderless Windowed support to Optimal Playable Settings.

AMD: AMD Software Adrenalin Edition

AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition handles drivers, game stats and FSR overrides in one app. In addition, AMD recommends turning on Radeon Anti-Lag 2 in games that support it when you use FSR.

Intel: Intel Graphics Software

Intel Arc drivers come with Intel Graphics Software, which is also where you switch on XeSS Multi-Frame Generation. Because Intel ships Arc drivers often, check for updates before you troubleshoot any game.

DLSS vs FSR vs XeSS (October 2026): Which Should You Use?

Use the upscaler made by your GPU’s vendor: DLSS on NVIDIA RTX, FSR on AMD Radeon, and XeSS on Intel Arc. Upscaling renders the game at a lower resolution and uses AI to rebuild a sharp image, so it is usually the biggest single FPS gain available. Frame generation then inserts AI-made frames between real ones for smoother motion.

Feature	NVIDIA DLSS	AMD FSR	Intel XeSS
Current version	DLSS 4.5 (DLSS 5 neural rendering since Sept 3, 2026)	FSR “Redstone” with FSR Upscaling 4.1	XeSS 3
AI upscaling	2nd-gen transformer model, all RTX 20/30/40/50	FSR Upscaling on RX 7000 and RX 9000; RX 6000 in 2027	XeSS Super Resolution, six modes from Ultra Performance to Native AA
Frame generation	RTX 40 and 50	ML Frame Generation on RX 9000; FSR 3 frame gen on RX 5000 and newer	Arc GPUs with XMX units
Max multiplier	6X on RTX 50 (Dynamic or Fixed)	Not stated as a multiplier	4X (2X, 3X, 4X modes)
Latency tool	NVIDIA Reflex	Radeon Anti-Lag 2	Xe Low Latency
Where to force it on	NVIDIA app, DLSS Override	AMD Software, Gaming > Graphics	Intel Graphics Software override

How to increase FPS with DLSS Override in the NVIDIA app

1. Update to the latest Game Ready Driver and NVIDIA app.
2. Open the NVIDIA app, go to Graphics, and select your game (or use Global settings).
3. Under Driver Settings, open DLSS Override – Frame Generation Mode.
4. Choose Fixed to pick a multiplier, or Dynamic with Max refresh rate so the app targets your monitor’s refresh rate.
5. Launch the game and enable DLSS Super Resolution and Frame Generation in its graphics menu.

How to turn on FSR Upscaling in AMD Software

1. Install a game with FSR 3.1 or newer (FSR 3.1.4 or newer for ML Frame Generation), and keep it closed.
2. Open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition, select the Gaming tab, then the Graphics sub-tab.
3. Turn on AMD FSR Upscaling and, on RX 9000, AMD FSR Frame Generation.
4. Enable Radeon Anti-Lag 2 if the game supports it.
5. Launch the game, switch on FSR 3.1 in its graphics menu, and pick a quality preset.

Quick Wins vs Advanced Tweaks

When you decide how to increase FPS on your own PC, start with the quick wins, because they are free, reversible and safe. Then move to advanced tweaks only if you still need more performance and understand the trade-off.

Tweak	Type	Time	Risk	Best for
Update GPU driver	Quick win	10 min	Very low	Everyone
Game Mode on	Quick win	1 min	None	Everyone
Monitor at max refresh rate	Quick win	2 min	None	High-refresh monitors
Power mode: Best performance	Quick win	1 min	More heat and power	Desktops, plugged-in laptops
Optimizations for windowed games	Quick win	1 min	None	Borderless DX10/DX11 games
DLSS, FSR or XeSS upscaling	Quick win	2 min per game	Slight image softness	GPU-bound games
HAGS on	Advanced	5 min plus restart	Rare stutter in some games	Test per system
Frame generation or MFG	Advanced	5 min	Artifacts; feels best from a decent base FPS	Single-player, high-refresh displays
DLSS or FSR driver overrides	Advanced	5 min	Game-specific glitches	Older titles
XMP or EXPO memory profile	Advanced	10 min in BIOS	Instability; AMD says it voids warranty	Builders comfortable in BIOS
Registry edits	Advanced	Varies	High without a backup	Only with a documented fix

What Are the Best In-Game Settings for Competitive Games?

For shooters like Valorant, Counter-Strike 2, Apex Legends or Marvel Rivals, prioritize low latency and clear visibility over eye candy. In practice, that means high, stable FPS with NVIDIA Reflex or Anti-Lag 2 on, and frame generation off.

1. Use full-screen or borderless mode at your monitor’s native resolution and max refresh rate.
2. Turn on Reflex, Anti-Lag 2 or Xe Low Latency wherever the game offers it.
3. Turn off motion blur, depth of field and film grain. They cost frames and hide detail.
4. Lower shadows, ambient occlusion and volumetrics first, since these effects are usually heavy for little competitive benefit.
5. Keep textures high if you have the VRAM, because texture quality mostly uses video memory rather than raw GPU power.
6. Switch off ray tracing in esports titles.
7. Use upscaling in Quality mode only if you are GPU-bound; lightweight esports games often run fast enough without it.

Still weighing a console instead of tuning a PC? Our PS5 Pro vs Xbox Series X comparison covers current prices and which one suits GTA 6.

Why Is My FPS Still Low? Troubleshooting Guide

If FPS is still low after the steps above, the cause is usually a missing setting, heat, memory speed or a CPU limit. Match your symptom below and try the fix.

Symptom	Likely cause	Fix
HAGS or VRR switch is missing	GPU, driver or monitor does not support it	Update the GPU driver; check the monitor’s spec sheet and on-screen menu
Can’t turn off Optimizations for windowed games	Auto HDR is on	Turn off Auto HDR first
Power mode is grayed out	Custom power plan selected	Control Panel > Power Options > Balanced, then retry
GPU usage low, FPS low	CPU-bound	Lower CPU-heavy settings, close background apps, cap FPS for even pacing
FPS falls after a few minutes	Thermal throttling	Check temperatures, clean dust filters, improve airflow; on laptops, use a hard surface
Laptop runs much slower than expected	Game is on the integrated GPU	Set the game to High performance under Custom options for apps
Stutter when entering new areas	Shader compilation or slow storage	Let the game finish shader prep; install it on an SSD
DLSS Dynamic mode ignores your frame cap	Older driver or Streamline	Install Game Ready 616.64 or newer, then reboot
Crash with XeSS MFG and an overlay	Known Intel issue with RTSS or CapFrameX	Install Arc driver 32.0.101.8991 or newer, or close the overlay
RAM shows a lower speed than its rating	XMP or EXPO profile off	Enable it in BIOS (see the safety notes below)

Is It Safe to Tweak Windows for More FPS?

Yes, as long as you stick to built-in settings and official vendor apps. The risks come from security trade-offs, overclocking and third-party “optimizer” tools.

Keep Memory integrity on

Memory integrity, also called Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI), makes it harder for malicious programs to hijack your PC through low-level drivers, according to Microsoft’s Core isolation guide. Some guides tell gamers to switch it off; we recommend leaving it on unless a specific, documented problem requires otherwise.

Back up before any registry edit

Avoid registry “FPS tweaks” copied from videos. If you must follow a documented fix, back up first, as Microsoft explains:

1. Select Start, type regedit.exe, and press Enter.
2. Select the key you plan to change.
3. Choose File > Export, name the file, and select Save.
4. To undo, open Registry Editor and use File > Import with that backup.

Skip “FPS booster” and driver-updater apps

Windows already includes the controls these apps toggle, while NVIDIA, AMD and Intel ship free tools that handle drivers and game settings. In contrast, unknown optimizers can bundle adware, disable security features, or install the wrong driver. Only download drivers from the GPU maker’s own site or app.

Understand XMP and EXPO before you flip them

XMP (Intel) and EXPO (AMD) are one-click memory profiles that run your RAM at its rated speed instead of a slower default. They can help frame rates, but AMD’s own fine print states that running memory outside AMD’s published specs voids the AMD product warranty, even when you enable it through AMD tools. So, if your PC becomes unstable, go back to default settings.

Once software is tuned, the next gain is hardware. Our 2026 gaming PC builds guide compares a budget and a high-end rig built around these same features.

Frequently Asked Questions