Superfetch, now known as SysMain in Windows 11, is designed to enhance system responsiveness by preloading frequently used applications into RAM. While intended to speed up app launching, it can sometimes lead to increased CPU usage and a slower system, particularly on computers with less RAM or older processors. We’ve found that, in certain scenarios, disabling Superfetch may indeed improve overall system performance.
If you’re experiencing sluggishness or want to allocate more RAM to resource-intensive tasks, turning off Superfetch might be beneficial. On Windows 11, this can be particularly relevant when you’re running heavy applications or games that demand more from your system resources. We’ll guide you through the process without delving into unnecessary complexities, ensuring a smooth and accessible experience.
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Understanding Superfetch
Superfetch is a system feature that anticipates which applications you will use next and pre-loads them into your RAM to improve system response time.
Benefits of Superfetch
- Reduced load times for frequently used applications
- Better overall user experience due to preloading of applications
Superfetch vs. Prefetch
| Superfetch (SysMain) | Prefetch |
| Proactively loads programs into RAM based on usage patterns. | Caches needed files of programs at boot, making them quicker to start after booting. |
| Learns and adapts to user behavior over time for more personalized performance. | Does not adapt to user behavior but speeds up the boot process. |
| Can be beneficial for systems with an HDD where read speeds are slower. | Mostly beneficial for systems with an SSD, where file access is faster. |
By understanding the implications of Superfetch on our system’s performance, especially on systems with HDDs, we can make informed decisions on whether enabling or disabling this feature will serve our needs best. Prefetch complements Superfetch by managing how programs are loaded at startup rather than during general usage.
Steps to Disable Superfetch
Let us explore the methods to stop Superfetch to potentially speed up your Windows 11 PC. Disabling Superfetch can help reduce system resource usage if you’re experiencing lag or high disk usage.
Through Services App
Accessing Services:
- Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
- In the Services window, scroll down to find SysMain.
- Double-click SysMain to open its properties.
Disabling Superfetch:
- In the properties window, click the dropdown menu next to Startup type.
- Select Disabled from the list.
- Click Stop to halt the service immediately.
- Click OK or Apply to apply the changes.
Using Windows Registry
Modifying Registry:
- Open the Run dialog with Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters. - Double-click on the EnableSuperfetch entry. If it does not exist, right-click, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it as such.
- Set the value to 0 to disable Superfetch and click OK.
With Command Prompt
Command Line Approach:
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator by searching for cmd in the Start menu, right-clicking on it, and selecting Run as administrator.
- Type
sc stop "SysMain"and press Enter to stop the service temporarily. - Type
sc config "SysMain" start= disabledand press Enter to disable Superfetch from starting up with Windows.
Potential Impact on System Performance
When we disable Superfetch on our Windows 11 systems, we must be aware of the potential impacts on system performance, particularly in terms of boot and load times, as well as RAM and CPU utilization.
Effect on Boot Times and App Loading
App Loading: If we frequently use certain applications, Superfetch helps load them faster by preloading them into memory. Without Superfetch, these apps might take longer to open as they have to be fully loaded each time they’re launched.
RAM and CPU Usage Considerations
CPU Usage: With Superfetch active, we might observe brief spikes in CPU usage, as it requires computational resources to analyze usage patterns and preload apps. Once Superfetch is disabled, these spikes may disappear, potentially leading to a modest reduction in overall CPU utilization.
Troubleshooting Post-Disabling Issues
After disabling Superfetch, sometimes you may encounter residual issues such as high disk usage or a slowdown in system response. We’ll guide you through identifying and addressing these concerns to ensure optimal PC performance.
Identifying High Disk Usage
Even after Superfetch is turned off, you might notice your disk usage spiking at odd intervals. It’s important we scrutinize the Task Manager to pinpoint which processes are consuming excessive disk space.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on the ‘Processes’ tab.
- Sort the list by the ‘Disk’ column to see which tasks are using the disk the most.
If “Service Host” processes are to blame, a deeper look into Windows services is warranted. If a specific application is causing high disk usage, consider updating or reinstalling it.
Addressing Slower System Response
With Superfetch disabled, some systems might experience a lag in performance. We need to ensure that our PC isn’t running out of memory or overloaded with unnecessary startup applications.
| Action | Purpose |
| Check memory usage in Task Manager | To verify available system resources |
| Disable unnecessary startup applications | To free up resources and enhance startup times |
| Run Disk Cleanup | To remove temporary and unnecessary files |
| Defragment the hard drive (for HDDs) | To optimize data arrangement and access times |
| Increase virtual memory | To provide more resources for processing if physical RAM is low |
By managing resources effectively and keeping an eye on system demands, we can counteract sluggishness and maintain a smooth computing experience.