How to Increase Your Windows 11 Internet Speed! 2026 (Best Settings), by Brett In Tech on YouTube. 8 min 19 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 19 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Run a speed test with Speedtest by Ookla in your browser before changing anything. Note the download, upload and ping numbers so you can compare later.
Open Settings, go to Windows Update, then Advanced options and Delivery Optimization. Turn on the limits for download and upload bandwidth so updates do not hog your connection.
In Settings, open Network and internet and check your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. Turn off the metered connection switch if it is on, since metered mode can pause updates and limit some traffic.
Restart your computer and your router. A fresh start clears stuck network processes and often restores normal speeds.
Open Network and internet, then your adapter's DNS server assignment and set it to Manual. Enter a fast public DNS such as 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1, or 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, then save.
Go to Settings, Apps and Startup, and turn off apps you do not need at login. Then in Settings, Privacy and security, check background app permissions and stop apps that run and sync in the background.
Run a full scan with Windows Security or your antivirus. Remove any threats found, since malware can slow your connection.
Run the speed test again and compare it with your first result. If speeds are still low, test with an Ethernet cable to see if Wi-Fi is the bottleneck.
Tips and common mistakes
Change one setting at a time and retest so you know what actually helped.
DNS changes can improve browsing response but will not raise your plan's raw download speed.
Too many background apps and cloud sync tools are a common hidden cause of slow internet.
If wired speeds are fine but Wi-Fi is slow, move closer to the router or change the Wi-Fi channel.
Questions
Will changing DNS make my downloads faster?
Usually not much. DNS mainly speeds up looking up website addresses, so pages may open quicker but large downloads stay limited by your plan.
How do I know if my slow speed is Windows or my provider?
Test on another device and with an Ethernet cable. If other devices are also slow, the problem is likely your router or internet provider.
Does turning off metered connection help speed?
It can. Metered mode may pause updates and limit background data, so turning it off lets Windows behave normally on an unlimited connection.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
