If your PC feels sluggish when running apps, editing videos, or gaming, it might be time to unlock one of Windows 11’s hidden performance boosters — hardware acceleration.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how to enable hardware acceleration in Windows 11 step by step, understand what it does, when to use it, and how it can dramatically improve performance for gaming, video playback, and everyday computing.
Let’s dive in!
🧭 Summary: Key Takeaways
| Step | Task | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Understand Hardware Acceleration | Learn what it is and when to use it |
| 2 | Enable via Windows Settings | Use the System → Display → Graphics → Change default graphics settings path |
| 3 | Enable in Browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) | Boost web performance manually |
| 4 | Enable in Apps (Adobe, VLC, etc.) | Improve creative and media app performance |
| 5 | Update GPU Drivers | Ensure compatibility and avoid crashes |
| 6 | Verify It’s Working | Use Task Manager or app settings to confirm |
Table of Contents
-
Step 6: Enable Hardware Acceleration in Popular Apps (VLC, Adobe, etc.)
-
Hardware Acceleration vs. GPU Scheduling: What’s the Difference?
What Is Hardware Acceleration in Windows 11?
Hardware acceleration is a Windows feature that allows your GPU (graphics processing unit) to handle tasks normally managed by your CPU (central processing unit).
Think of it like this: your CPU is the “brain” of your computer, handling most operations. But when you turn on hardware acceleration, you give the graphics card permission to take over heavy visual or processing tasks — making your system faster and more efficient.
In Simple Terms:
Hardware acceleration lets your GPU help your CPU — so both can work smarter, not harder.
When Should You Enable Hardware Acceleration?
Not every task needs it, but enabling it is highly beneficial in many cases.
✅ Best Times to Enable It:
-
You play modern 3D games or use emulators.
-
You edit videos or graphics in Adobe Premiere, Photoshop, or DaVinci Resolve.
-
You stream 4K videos or use multiple monitors.
-
You use browsers like Chrome, Edge, or Firefox for multimedia tasks.
-
You want smoother animations and transitions in Windows.
How Does It Work?
When hardware acceleration is turned on:
-
Windows shifts resource-heavy graphics and video decoding tasks to your GPU.
-
The CPU is freed up to handle other background processes.
-
Apps that support GPU acceleration run faster and use less system memory.
Real-World Example:
Without hardware acceleration, your CPU might process a YouTube 4K video stream. With it enabled, your GPU takes over — resulting in lower CPU usage, smoother playback, and less stuttering.
Benefits of Hardware Acceleration
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| 🚀 Faster Performance | GPU handles demanding tasks for smoother operation |
| 🎮 Better Gaming | Improved frame rates and reduced lag |
| 📹 Smoother Video Playback | 4K/8K video decoding without stuttering |
| 🧠 Lower CPU Load | Frees up system resources for multitasking |
| 🔋 Improved Efficiency | Reduces power consumption and heat generation |
Step 1: Enable Hardware Acceleration in Windows 11 Settings
Here’s the easiest way to enable hardware acceleration globally in Windows 11.
🪟 Steps:
-
Press Win + I to open Settings.
-
Navigate to System → Display.
-
Scroll down and click Graphics.
-
Under Related settings, click Change default graphics settings.
-
Turn ON the toggle for Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling.
-
Restart your PC to apply changes.
💡 Tip: This option may not appear if your GPU or drivers don’t support it. Make sure you’re running the latest version of your GPU drivers.
Step 2: Enable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling
This feature is part of hardware acceleration, but it specifically lets your GPU manage its own memory more efficiently — improving performance in demanding apps and games.
To enable:
-
Go to Settings → System → Display → Graphics → Change default graphics settings.
-
Toggle Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling to ON.
-
Restart your system.
🧩 Note: This feature works best with NVIDIA (GTX 10 series and newer) or AMD Radeon RX 5000 series and newer cards.
Step 3: Enable Hardware Acceleration in Google Chrome
Even after enabling it in Windows, Chrome has its own toggle.
Steps:
-
Open Google Chrome.
-
Click the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner → Settings.
-
Go to System (left sidebar).
-
Turn ON the option “Use hardware acceleration when available.”
-
Restart Chrome.
✅ Check: Type
chrome://gpuin the address bar — under “Graphics Feature Status,” you should see Hardware accelerated next to most items.
Step 4: Enable Hardware Acceleration in Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge also supports this feature for smoother browsing and video playback.
Steps:
-
Open Edge.
-
Click the three dots (⋯) → Settings.
-
Go to System and performance.
-
Enable Use hardware acceleration when available.
-
Restart the browser.
🔍 To confirm, type
edge://gpuin the address bar. You’ll see “Hardware accelerated” next to GPU-related tasks.
Step 5: Enable Hardware Acceleration in Firefox
Mozilla Firefox allows GPU acceleration as well — though it’s disabled on some devices by default.
Steps:
-
Open Firefox.
-
Click the menu (☰) → Settings.
-
Go to General → Performance.
-
Uncheck “Use recommended performance settings.”
-
Check Use hardware acceleration when available.
-
Restart Firefox.
Step 6: Enable Hardware Acceleration in Popular Apps (VLC, Adobe, etc.)
Many apps offer their own GPU acceleration options. Here’s how to enable them in a few popular ones:
🖌️ Adobe Premiere Pro / After Effects
-
Open Project Settings → General.
-
Under “Renderer,” choose Mercury Playback Engine GPU Acceleration.
-
Apply changes and restart.
🎥 VLC Media Player
-
Go to Tools → Preferences → Input/Codecs.
-
Under “Codecs,” enable Hardware-accelerated decoding.
-
Save and restart VLC.
🖼️ Adobe Photoshop
-
Go to Edit → Preferences → Performance.
-
Check Use Graphics Processor.
-
Restart Photoshop.
How to Check if Hardware Acceleration Is Working
You can easily verify if your system is using GPU acceleration.
✅ Method 1: Use Task Manager
-
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
-
Click Performance → GPU.
-
Check Video Decode or 3D usage — if it increases during video playback or gaming, it’s working.
✅ Method 2: Browser Check
In Chrome or Edge, visit:
You should see “Hardware accelerated” listed for major features.
Common Problems and Fixes
| Problem | Possible Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Option missing | Outdated GPU drivers | Update via Device Manager or NVIDIA/AMD software |
| Crashes or freezing | Incompatible apps | Turn off hardware acceleration for that specific app |
| Video tearing or flicker | Outdated OS | Run Windows Update |
| Browser lags after enabling | GPU conflict | Clear cache or reset browser settings |
When to Disable Hardware Acceleration
Sometimes, enabling this feature can cause instability — especially on older GPUs.
You may want to disable it if:
-
Your screen flickers during video playback.
-
Apps or browsers crash unexpectedly.
-
You notice graphic glitches or slow response.
To disable, simply toggle the hardware acceleration setting back to Off in the relevant app or system setting.
Hardware Acceleration vs. GPU Scheduling: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Description | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware Acceleration | Lets GPU handle CPU-intensive tasks | App-level |
| GPU Scheduling | Allows GPU to manage its own memory | System-level |
In short: Hardware acceleration is per-application, while GPU scheduling enhances how Windows manages GPU tasks globally.
Conclusion: Speed Up Your Windows 11 Experience
And that’s it! You’ve now learned how to enable hardware acceleration in Windows 11 — and in your favorite apps and browsers.
Once enabled, you’ll notice faster graphics, smoother video playback, and improved system responsiveness across the board.
Just remember to:
-
Keep your GPU drivers updated.
-
Restart your PC after enabling changes.
-
Disable the feature if you experience crashes or graphical issues.
⚙️ Pro Tip: Combine hardware acceleration with Game Mode (Settings → Gaming → Game Mode) for an even better performance boost.
Enjoy a faster, smoother Windows 11 experience!
FAQs
1. What does hardware acceleration do in Windows 11?
It allows your GPU to handle heavy tasks like video rendering and graphics, reducing CPU load and improving performance.
2. Is hardware acceleration good or bad for performance?
It’s generally good — it boosts performance and efficiency. However, if your GPU is old or unstable, it can cause glitches.
3. How do I check if hardware acceleration is enabled?
Open Task Manager → GPU tab, or type chrome://gpu in your browser. If you see “Hardware accelerated,” it’s enabled.
4. Does hardware acceleration help with gaming?
Yes. It can improve frame rates, reduce lag, and enhance overall smoothness — especially with GPU scheduling enabled.
5. Can I enable hardware acceleration without admin rights?
You’ll need administrator access to enable it system-wide, but browsers and apps may allow per-app activation.
✅ Key Takeaway:
Turning on hardware acceleration in Windows 11 helps your GPU share the workload, delivering a faster, smoother, and more efficient experience — especially when gaming, streaming, or multitasking.