For your streaming PC, you want an operating system that loads your programs quickly and is light on resources. Here's a quick guide on how to make an operating system work for you.
Windows 11
Windows 11 is the current version of the Windows operating system. Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 machines in October 2025, so plan accordingly if you're still using Windows 10.
You would no longer receive technical support, feature updates, or security flaws or patches.
You can make a few tweaks to Windows 11 so it runs smoothly and isn't filled with bloat.
Startup apps slow down performance and eat up performance. It's a good idea to disable any apps that run in the background that are not in use. Go to Settings > Apps > Startup.
You should see all the apps that start during the boot process. Click the toggle to Off to disable unnecessary apps.
Uninstall any unnecessary apps - Settings > Apps > Installed apps - to reduce system resource usage and improve performance.
Switch to the High-Performance power plan to prioritize performance over energy efficiency. This is found in Settings > System > Power > Power & Battery.
Make sure your machine is patched with the latest updates. Window updates contain patches that fix bugs and security flaws.
Major Windows updates do not need to be installed right away, but if there is a recent patch for the current one you are on, you should install it ASAP.
Use Linux!
If you don't want to deal with Windows at all, consider the switch to a Linux-based OS.
Why should you have to pay to use an operating system? Linux is completely free, no license key is required.
It doesn't take a super high-powered system to run Linux. So, if your build isn't top-of-the-line, there should be plenty of resources to handle Linux Mint or Ubuntu.
Linux is open source, so there is a large community of developers and users that help detect and fix vulnerabilities quickly.
Sometimes Windows can take longer than usual for them to patch vulnerabilities in future updates.
Windows will collect and track your usage history for profit. Outside of a web browser, there are no system-level tracking tools installed on Linux, unless you want to install them.
You can use Linux however you want. If you don't like Linux out of the box, there are different variants out there.
Numerous developers and organizations have come out with their custom versions - "distros" - of Linux.
Each distro allows you complete customization control - themes, apps, and more.
Wrapping Up
Optimizing Windows 11 requires tweaks and adjustments. Disabling unnecessary apps and software can improve performance.
In addition to Windows updates, check for driver updates. BIOS and chip updates are the most important.
Look for lighter software as well. Consider switching to browsers or streaming software that's light on resources.
Alternatively, consider switching to Linux for a free, open-source option with customization control and community-driven security.
If you've used mostly Windows on computers, Linux Mint is a great alternative. Linux Mint is a free and open-source OS based on Ubuntu.
Mint can run on just about any computer, and you can boot it from a USB if you want to test it out. It comes "out of the box" without the need to configure or install extra apps.