How to Run RDR2 Smoothly on Windows 11 – Tips & Fixes?

Upvote

Downvote

Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) is a critically praised action-adventure game created by Rockstar Games that immerses players in the lives of outlaw Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang in 1899 America. Since its debut, RDR2 has sold over 17 million copies and received various awards, including “Best Narrative” and “Critics’ Choice”.

For Windows 11 users, optimizing RDR2 can improve playability.

Enable game mode: Activating Windows 11’s Game Mode allows you to more efficiently allocate system resources for gaming.
Adjust Graphics Settings: Lowering Shadow Quality and removing V-Sync can boost performance.
Update Drivers: Keeping graphics drivers up to date will help prevent accidents and improve stability.
Use Vulkan API: Enabling Vulkan in the game’s options may improve performance.

Which optimization techniques have you found to be the most effective for RDR2 on Windows 11? Please share your experiences and tips in the comments section below!

Saul Chapa

Participant

May 14, 2025 at 5:18 pm

Game’s still beautiful and huge in 2025. Optimization isn’t perfect, but it’s doable. Honestly, just roaming on horseback at dusk with no HUD is peak gaming.

James Welch

May 14, 2025 at 5:17 pm

Is anyone using G-Sync or FreeSync with this? I just turned on FreeSync and it smoothed out those nasty screen tears I kept getting in snowy areas.

Collin Mcdaniel

May 14, 2025 at 5:16 pm

I got the best boost by doing a clean reinstall of Windows 11 and only installing essential drivers + RDR2. No bloat = max FPS. No regrets.

Jhon Bradford

May 14, 2025 at 5:15 pm

Did anyone try playing on Steam Deck with Windows 11 installed? It works surprisingly well with Vulkan and a 30fps cap. Portable RDR2 is a dream come true!

Richard Kinney

May 14, 2025 at 5:14 pm

Honestly, Rockstar should’ve optimized better for PC. Amazing game, but my RTX 4080 still struggles at 1440p Ultra with everything maxed. How is that even possible?

Maryellen King

May 14, 2025 at 5:13 pm

For those with 8GB RAM, consider using Intelligent Standby List Cleaner (ISLC). It keeps RAM optimized and prevents microstutters—especially helpful on Windows 11 with background apps eating memory.

Earl Cannon

May 14, 2025 at 5:12 pm

Fellas, don’t forget BIOS updates. I updated mine (ASUS B450M) and saw a bump in stability and boot time. Definitely helps overall system synergy with Windows 11 and newer GPUs.

James Tucci

May 14, 2025 at 5:11 pm

I think the audio engine in RDR2 is underappreciated. Best tip: use spatial audio with Dolby Atmos or DTS Headphone:X. It’s next-level immersion during ambushes.

Linda Givens

May 14, 2025 at 5:10 pm

My game used to freeze during rainstorms—turns out my drivers were outdated. Installed latest WHQL from NVIDIA’s site instead of using GeForce Experience auto-updates. Boom, fixed.

Rabecca Dozier

May 14, 2025 at 5:09 pm

Not sure why, but disabling HAGS (Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling) actually improved performance for me. Anyone else try this?

Bessie Knowles

May 14, 2025 at 5:08 pm

DLSS: Yes (NVIDIA RTX only). FSR: Yes (AMD + supported cards). Use either depending on your GPU. Both make a massive impact without sacrificing quality.

Kathern Edwards

May 14, 2025 at 5:07 pm

Does this game support DLSS or FSR yet?

Jhon Pease

May 14, 2025 at 5:06 pm

I installed a few optimization mods from Nexus: no intro, LOD tweaker, and shadow scaling. Gained 20 FPS with all three. Highly recommended for low-end rigs!