Windows 11 lag when playing Battlefield

SJMaye · Oct 13, 2025

This is something I can live with, but I am just curious. I have been playing Batttlefield for 20 years. Often during the game or between rounds I will minimize BF and check email or look Facebook or something. They all worked seemlessly together. Since the installation of Windows 11 that has changed. Not only with BF2042, but now with BF6. When I minimize the game to check email I get significant lag between button clicks as response.

Has anyone else experienced that?

Helmut · Oct 13, 2025

I go back 35 years never experienced games running seamlessly with other applications. Not surprising with the single core processors of those days.

Windows whatever version going back 10-12 years defaults to Game Mode, which is primarily used for maximising resources, priority to games, thus other Applications are side lined, switched off etc.
You can change that if you wish.
Settings > Gaming > Game Mode > On/Off.

Probably Off would suit your scenario.

Also windowed games
Settings > System > Display > Graphics > Optimisations for windowed games.

No idea about this one for your scenario, but the option is there.

SJMaye · Oct 13, 2025

Yep. I have always been able to alt+tab out of the game and check email, surf the web etc without issue until Win11. I am embarrassed to say I did not even know there was a Game Mode setting. I have turned it off. I will give it a try next weekend when I play again. Thanks!

andrew129260 · Oct 13, 2025

SJMaye said:
When I minimize the game to check email I get significant lag between button clicks as response.

Most people have dual monitors for this. Might be worth looking into a crappy second monitor for basic stuff like that. I haven't minimized a game in forever. Just a suggestion. There are lots of games that don't like to be minimized and its not just cause of windows 11 or whatever.

SJMaye · Oct 13, 2025

I could, but I don't have the desktop space for one and it doesn't explain why BF2042 never had these issues with Win10, but did once I installed Win11. Could be the Game Mode was disabled by default with Win10. Thanks for the thought, though. All ideas are welcome.

bjammin7d · Oct 13, 2025

I would try Borderless Windowed mode. The game when in fullscreen does not like to be minimized, or really any game. :)
I was having the same thing and switching to Borderless Windowed Mode helped a lot.

bjammin7d · Oct 13, 2025

Also if you dont have a lot of desk space, Monitor arms are your friend.

https://www.amazon.com/HUANUO-Dual-Monitor-Stand-Adjustable/dp/B07T5SY43L/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=SHCMOE3MSVES&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-mBv0oxKxD_KYyyVPB3_t1Lv3A4A6JsiErLNzXTaekK9I7-5Rc9TJCkvNE7wLq--DuwKoF6sJRAbzINxdVVr5twEyIl-ZbrrnAmhA3xBVmk-8JfMi9RA7876vztMi-xDP3qHJQBE5Tp59tTyixwrby2etxUK0up0nYTMNazc9qU81bTfWjP7NOWl3Fgop7g0k08fJwiJn4JlXh5FjMTYySPODlv8O9n-PNg5IyIrmx8.gzcrGSqgSsgDXP3T3Rs1thyQuscKz47dSZ72tLhf8cQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=2%2Bmonitor%2Barm&qid=1760360895&sprefix=2%2Bmonitor%2Barm%2Caps%2C144&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

SJMaye · Oct 13, 2025

bjammin7d said:
I would try Borderless Windowed mode. The game when in fullscreen does not like to be minimized, or really any game. :)
I was having the same thing and switching to Borderless Windowed Mode helped a lot.

I actually run in borderless mode.

SJMaye · Nov 10, 2025

SJMaye said:
Yep. I have always been able to alt+tab out of the game and check email, surf the web etc without issue until Win11. I am embarrassed to say I did not even know there was a Game Mode setting. I have turned it off. I will give it a try next weekend when I play again. Thanks!

It has been nearly a month since I disabled game mode. It made no difference. While BF6 is loaded, if I try looking at email or other web traffic there is noticeable lag. It is just something I will deal with.

Windows 11 lag when playing Battlefield

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