How to Disable Superfetch in Windows 11
Quickly disable Superfetch in Windows 11 by accessing the Services app, locating the SysMain service, and stopping it. Then, set it to disabled to ensure it doesn’t re-enable itself after a restart. This action can help improve system performance, especially if you’re experiencing high disk usage.
Step By Step Tutorial on How to Disable Superfetch in Windows 11
Disabling Superfetch, also known as the SysMain service, can help speed up your computer if it’s acting sluggish. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Step 1: Open the Services App
Press Windows + R
to open the Run dialog, type services.msc
, and hit Enter.
The Services app is where you can manage all the background processes on your computer. It’s like the control center for what’s running in the background.
Step 2: Find SysMain Service
Scroll through the list of services and find SysMain
.
SysMain is the updated name for Superfetch in Windows 11. It’s responsible for preloading apps into memory, which can sometimes cause high disk usage.
Step 3: Stop the SysMain Service
Right-click on SysMain
and select Stop
.
Stopping the service will immediately halt its operations. This can provide an instant boost in performance if SysMain was causing issues.
Step 4: Disable the SysMain Service
Right-click on SysMain
again, go to Properties
, then set the Startup type
to Disabled
.
By setting the startup type to disabled, you’re ensuring that SysMain doesn’t start up again the next time you boot your computer.
Step 5: Apply and Confirm Changes
Click Apply
and then OK
to confirm your changes.
This final step locks in your settings, so you don’t have to worry about SysMain starting up again unless you re-enable it.
After you complete these steps, your computer should run more smoothly, especially if Superfetch was causing high disk usage. You’ll likely notice faster boot times and improved system responsiveness.
Tips on How to Disable Superfetch in Windows 11
- Always create a system restore point before making changes to system services.
- If you notice any negative performance impacts, you can easily revert the changes by setting SysMain back to
Automatic
. - Regularly check for Windows updates, as Microsoft often releases patches that can improve system performance.
- Be cautious when disabling other services; not all of them are safe to turn off.
- Use disk cleanup tools to further optimize your system performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Superfetch or SysMain?
Superfetch, now called SysMain, is a Windows service that preloads commonly used apps into memory to speed up loading times.
Is it safe to disable Superfetch?
Yes, it’s generally safe to disable Superfetch. However, if you notice any performance issues after disabling it, you can always re-enable it.
Will disabling Superfetch improve my gaming performance?
Disabling Superfetch can potentially improve gaming performance if your system is experiencing high disk usage because of it.
Can I enable Superfetch again if I change my mind?
Yes, you can easily re-enable Superfetch by setting the SysMain service back to Automatic
in the Services app.
Does disabling Superfetch affect boot times?
Disabling Superfetch may slightly increase boot times because it won’t preload apps into memory. However, the trade-off can be worth it if it resolves high disk usage issues.
Summary
- Open the Services App: Press
Windows + R
, typeservices.msc
, and hit Enter. - Find SysMain Service: Scroll to locate
SysMain
. - Stop the SysMain Service: Right-click and select
Stop
. - Disable the SysMain Service: Right-click, go to
Properties
, setStartup type
toDisabled
. - Apply and Confirm Changes: Click
Apply
andOK
.
Conclusion
Disabling Superfetch in Windows 11 can be a quick and effective way to improve your computer’s performance, especially if you’re dealing with high disk usage. Although Superfetch is designed to speed up your system by preloading frequently used apps, it doesn’t always work as intended. Sometimes, it can actually slow down your computer, particularly if you have limited RAM or are running older hardware.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily disable Superfetch and see if it makes a difference for you. If you find that your system performance improves, great! If not, you can always re-enable it with a few clicks.
Remember, tweaking system services is like fine-tuning a musical instrument—it might take a little trial and error to get it just right. But once you do, your computer will be running like a well-oiled machine. If you’re interested in further optimizing your Windows 11 experience, consider reading more articles on system performance and maintenance. Happy computing!
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.