How to Disable Superfetch Windows 11

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Superfetch, a service designed to improve the performance of your Windows operating system, has been a discussion point among users, especially with the release of Windows 11. It works quietly in the background, prefilling the system’s RAM with frequently used applications to enable quicker access. While this feature can enhance performance, it can also lead to high disk usage, which may frustrate some users. If you’ve been experiencing system slowdowns or increased disk activity and believe Superfetch to be a contributing factor, this guide will walk you through how to disable it in Windows 11.

Understanding Superfetch

Before we dive into the methods of disabling Superfetch, it’s important to understand what Superfetch is and how it operates. Superfetch, now known as SysMain in Windows 10 and Windows 11, is a memory manager that preloads applications into memory based on your usage patterns. By anticipating which applications you will use next, it aims to decrease startup times and improve system responsiveness.

The Benefits of Superfetch

The Downsides of Superfetch

However, the benefits of Superfetch can come with certain drawbacks:

Given these potential issues, disabling Superfetch can be beneficial for some users.

How to Disable Superfetch

Disabling Superfetch in Windows 11 can be accomplished through several methods, including the Services application, the Command Prompt, and the Registry Editor. Below, we outline each method in detail.

Method 1: Using the Services Application


Access the Services Application

:

  • Press

    Windows + R

    to open the Run dialog.
  • Type

    services.msc

    and press

    Enter

    .


Locate the SysMain Service

:

  • In the Services window, scroll down to find

    SysMain

    (the revamped name for Superfetch).


Stop the Service

:

  • Right-click on

    SysMain

    and select

    Stop

    to immediately halt the service.


Disable the Service

:

  • Right-click on

    SysMain

    again and select

    Properties

    .
  • In the Properties window, find the

    Startup type

    dropdown and change it to

    Disabled

    . This will prevent the service from starting again after a reboot.


Apply Changes

:

  • Click

    OK

    to save your changes.

Method 2: Using the Command Prompt

For those who prefer the command line or need to disable Superfetch quickly via scripts, the Command Prompt is a great alternative.


Open Command Prompt as Administrator

:

  • Press

    Windows + X

    to open the Quick Access menu.
  • Click on

    Windows Terminal (Admin)

    or

    Command Prompt (Admin)

    .


Disable the SysMain Service

:

  • Type the following command to stop the service:

    net stop sysmain
  • Then, to disable it from starting automatically, use:

    sc config sysmain start= disabled


Exit Command Prompt

:

  • Once you see the confirmation messages, you can close the Command Prompt.

Method 3: Using the Registry Editor

The Registry Editor provides another route to disable Superfetch for advanced users comfortable making system-level changes.

Editing the Registry can have unintended consequences. It’s always a good idea to back up your Registry before making changes. You can do this by selecting

File > Export

, and then saving the backup in a safe place.


Open Registry Editor

:

  • Press

    Windows + R

    , type

    regedit

    , and hit

    Enter

    .


Navigate to SysMain Key

:

  • Go to the following path:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesSysMain


Modify the Start Value

:

  • Find the

    Start

    entry in the right pane.
  • Double-click on

    Start

    and set its value to

    4

    to disable the service.


Close the Registry Editor

:

  • After making the changes, you can close the Registry Editor.


Reboot Your Computer

:

  • Restart your PC to apply the changes.

What to Do After Disabling Superfetch

After disabling Superfetch, observe your system’s performance. You may notice improvements in disk usage, especially if you were previously dealing with high activity associated with the Superfetch service.

If you find that disabling Superfetch does not result in a perceived performance improvement, you can always re-enable it by following the same steps and changing the settings back to their original state.

To re-enable via the Services app, change the Startup type for SysMain back to

Automatic

and start the service again.

Performance Monitoring

Evaluating your Windows 11 system’s performance after these changes is crucial. Here are a few ways to monitor the impact:

Conclusion

Disabling Superfetch in Windows 11 is a straightforward process that can effectively mitigate high disk usage for some users. The methods outlined above provide versatile options whether you prefer graphical interfaces or command-line solutions. Remember to closely monitor your system’s performance post-disablement, as results can vary significantly based on individual usage patterns and hardware configurations.

Understanding the intricacies of services like Superfetch/SysMain can empower you to customize your computing experience, potentially alleviating performance issues and leading to a more responsive computer. If you encounter further issues or have specific needs, consider additional optimization strategies or consult community forums for tailored advice.

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