Windows 10 Game Mode offers enhanced performance and features for gaming on your system.
Windows 10 Game Mode offers enhanced performance and features for gaming on your system.
The latest creators update on Windows introduces a new configuration. Does the new Game Mode actually boost FPS or is it just a non-functional option? Have you used it before?
Relies on your device settings and how you use it. Game Mode doesn’t boost performance or unlock hidden power from your hardware. It actually:
- For UWP games: Removes many layers to make them run smoothly, especially on Win32 games. This is where Game Mode excels.
- For Win32 games: Gives priority to background tasks so frame rates stay stable. You get a smoother experience.
It makes your PC act like a gaming console, focusing all resources on the game. If other programs or tasks are demanding your CPU/GPU, they’ll slow down noticeably. Some games are built for heavy multitasking and aren’t fully optimized for single-threaded performance, which can cause lag when Game Mode is active.
For example, in a multi-process game, one process handles loading levels while another manages input. If Game Mode slows the texture or level load process, your game won’t run well, as it treats that process like the main game.
I haven't used it before since I'm still running Windows 10 Anniversary Update and haven't reached the Creators Update yet. It might help depending on your needs. For instance, Windows 10 tends to run random virus scans, and on older or weaker machines, turning on game mode could significantly impact performance, as scans usually consume CPU or hard drive resources. However, for gaming PCs I wouldn't anticipate any change. Check this article for more details.
It varies. For titles like Forza, Game Mode can be beneficial. In other cases, the results are inconsistent—sometimes performance improves slightly, other times it drops. My opinion is that unless your setup lacks strong gaming power, you don’t need to worry. Even high-end GPUs with strong CPUs usually handle most games well, though not at full capacity.
If your setup meets the requirements, it probably won’t change much or could even harm things a bit. I tested it on older hardware, only the C2D E7400 with an iGPU and a 5400RPM HDD saw improvements. In general, keeping it simple should work best. Just turn off virus scans, defragmentation tools, and updates—they consume a lot of resources. TL;DR: leave it alone unless you’re using Steam and don’t want games updating while playing.
Alternatively, try pressing Win+G in your game, then select Settings (gear icon) to toggle Game Mode. If this doesn’t work, the game might not be supported or the Game Bar could be off. To activate the Game Bar, navigate to Start > Settings > Gaming and enable "Record game clips, screenshots, and broadcast using Game bar."