Windows 11: which background services slow down your PC and what to disable

⚡ The gist in 5 seconds - Windows 11 background services constantly run in the background and consume RAM and CPU resources, which can slow down the device. - How-To Geek explained which services can be disabled to speed up your PC, especially with a weak processor and 4–8 GB of RAM. - This isn't a universal fix: before disabling anything, it's important to understand what each service does — for example, Remote Desktop Services is needed for remote desktop, and Print Spooler for printing. ### 🔍 What was found According to a How-To Geek publication reported by Lenta.ru on September 30, 2026, many Windows 11 services run in the background by default, quietly consuming RAM and CPU resources. Portal editor Zunaid Ali stated that this can cause the device to lag — especially with a weak processor and only 4–8 GB of RAM. The journalist suggested disabling some services to reduce the load. First of all, he recommended turning off Windows Search, which indexes files for fast search: if disabled, search will still work but will be somewhat slower. According to Ali, Connected User Experiences and Telemetry, which collects diagnostic data and sends it to Microsoft, can be deactivated without any harm. Remote Desktop Services provides remote access to your computer, so the service is unnecessary for those who don't use remote desktop. You can also turn off Program Compatibility Assistant, which helps run older programs and warns about potential incompatibilities. If your computer lacks a fingerprint or face scanner, you can disable the Windows Biometric Service. Finally, if there's no printer, it's worth disabling Print Spooler, which manages the print queue and communicates with printers. ### 💡 Why it matters Disabling background services is one of the few ways to speed up a weak computer at no extra cost. Since these services constantly run in the background and consume resources, deactivating them can reduce the load and make the system more responsive. However, it's important to remember: disabling them is not a universal solution. For example, Remote Desktop Services is needed if you use remote desktop, and Print Spooler if you work with a printer. So before changing settings, figure out which services are truly unnecessary in your scenario. ### 🧩 Context Earlier, journalists at MakeUseOf named ways to speed up an old computer. They recommended turning off smooth window animation effects and disabling font smoothing. How-To Geek's recommendations complement this advice and concern Windows 11 background services.

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