Getting Windows 11 Ready for Music Production: Practical Tips That Make a Difference
Let’s be honest — if you’re into making music on Windows 11, you’ve probably run into some annoying latency issues, glitches, or just sluggish response that mess with your workflow. It took me ages to get everything running smoothly, and some settings can be buried deep or change unexpectedly after updates. Here’s what finally made a difference for me, and hopefully it can save you some frustration too.
Turn Off System Sounds
This might seem minor, but I noticed Windows system sounds can cause interruptions during recording or mixing. So, I went into the Control Panel (just type “sound” in the search bar), then clicked on Sound. Under the Sounds tab, I set the Sound Scheme to No Sounds — it’s a tiny tweak but makes a real difference. I also turn off Play Windows sounds in Settings > System > Sound > Advanced sound options. Removing these audio cues doesn’t eliminate all glitches, but it helps reduce distractions and odd pops, especially when I’d get notifications during critical moments. Sometimes, after Windows updates, the sound scheme resets, so I have to do it again. Small hassle, but worth it.
Switch to High Performance Power Plan
Most people leave their PC on the default Balanced plan, but that’s a problem for real-time audio work. To get more performance, open Control Panel > Power Options or run powercfg.cpl. Then select High Performance. If it’s not visible, you might need to create a custom plan. I also set the processor minimum and maximum to 100%, and disable CPU power-saving features like Intel SpeedStep or AMD’s Precision Boost in the BIOS. This keeps the CPU running at full tilt, avoiding sudden slowdowns that cause pops and latency spikes. Just a heads-up: Windows sometimes switches back to Balanced after updates, so double-check your selected plan before mixing. This tweak made a huge difference on my gaming laptop, which normally downclocks under load.
Disable USB Selective Suspend
This one was a game-changer — I kept losing my audio interface mid-session until I disabled USB selective suspend. For my setup, I went into Device Manager (devmgmt.msc), expanded Universal Serial Bus controllers, then right-clicked on each USB Root Hub and Generic USB Hub to check their properties. Under the Power Management tab, I unchecked Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. Doing this across all hubs prevented Windows from suspending my audio interface randomly, which was a nightmare during recordings or monitoring. Sometimes, I had to reboot or redo the setting, as Windows doesn’t always retain it after driver updates. Still, this simple change noticeably improved connection stability — especially for MIDI controllers and audio interfaces.
optimise USB Controller Settings
I took it further by going into each USB Root Hub (USB 3.x) in Device Manager, then to Properties > Power Management, and unchecking that “allow” box again. I verified the Device Instance Path to make sure I was adjusting the right device — it’s a bit fiddly. This extra step helped prevent devices from unexpectedly sleeping even after disabling selective suspend. Updating your chipset drivers from your motherboard or laptop manufacturer’s website can also improve stability, especially if USB ports seem flaky or drop out during heavy use. On my older ASUS laptop, I even traced and cleaned up some hidden device IDs, which made a difference.
Close Unnecessary Background Apps
Honestly, background apps can sneakily hog resources, and I didn’t realise how much CPU and RAM they were using until I started experiencing glitches with my DAW. I pressed Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, then headed to the Startup tab to disable apps I don’t need running in the background. I also went into Settings > Apps > Installed Apps to restrict background activity for some applications. For extra peace of mind, I checked Services.msc and disabled some services like Windows Update or Telemetry temporarily — but be careful, as disabling the wrong services can cause issues. The idea is to free up resources and reduce CPU load, which helps prevent glitches. I keep a backup just in case I need to revert, because Windows can be unpredictable with these changes.
Pause Windows Updates During Recording Sessions
This one’s a no-brainer — Windows 11 loves to check for updates at the worst possible moments, which can cause dropped recordings or glitches. In Settings > Windows Update, I just clicked Pause for 7 days. You can extend this if needed, or switch to a metered connection in Network & Internet to limit update downloads. I also use tools like the Wushowhide utility to block problematic updates, especially driver updates that tend to cause issues. It might sound paranoid, but preventing Windows from restarting unexpectedly during a session has saved me plenty of headaches.
Update Graphics and Audio Drivers First
Old drivers are sneaky troublemakers — they can cause latency spikes, audio glitches, and visual artefacts without you realising until you update. I always check the latest graphics drivers on NVIDIA or AMD’s official sites, and for audio interfaces, I visit the manufacturer’s website or use their driver utilities (like Focusrite Control or RME Driver Utility). Sometimes, I do a clean install using tools like Display Driver Uninstaller for graphics or by uninstalling and reinstalling drivers for audio interfaces. Firmware updates can also improve latency stability. Just remember to back up your current setup or create a restore point before updating, as new drivers can introduce bugs sometimes.
Set Sleep and Hibernation to Never
Nothing kills a recording session faster than Windows unexpectedly going to sleep. In Settings > System > Power & Sleep, I set both options to Never. For more control, I go into Additional Power Settings, then select Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings. I disable Allow hybrid sleep and turn off USB selective suspend. On my high-end laptop, I also disable wake timers and set the device to stay awake during recording. These steps ensure my system won’t cut out mid-take, especially during long sessions.
Admittedly, Windows 11 still has quirks, especially after updates and driver changes. I’ve learned to tweak, test, and tweak again. The key is to set your power plan to High Performance, disable USB suspend, pause Windows updates, and keep your drivers up to date. Hopefully, these tips save you some headaches — it took me way too long to figure them all out. Good luck, and happy producing!