Slow PC after Windows 11 Update: 5-Step Solution

You install the latest Windows 11 update hoping for improvements, but your PC inexplicably slows down. It's a frustrating and common problem. We'll guide you step-by-step through the most effective solutions to restore your computer's performance.

It's one of the most frustrating problems for millions of Windows users: after installing a security or feature update, their once perfectly functioning computer begins to experience exasperating slowness. Apps take a long time to open, boot times take forever, and productivity plummets. If this happened to you with the latest Windows 11 update, you're not alone. Fortunately, there are several proven solutions to diagnose and resolve these performance issues.

Before resorting to drastic measures, follow this step-by-step guide, ordered from the simplest to the most complex solution.

Slowness issues are often caused by minor issues that can be resolved with basic maintenance.

* Restart your computer (properly): This isn't the same as shutting it down and restarting it. A hard restart clears RAM and closes processes that may have been left hanging after the update. Go to Start > Power Button > Restart.

* Disable unnecessary startup programs: Many applications are configured to start with Windows, consuming resources from the first second.

* How to do it: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Go to the Startup tab and disable all applications you don't need to start with the system. Look at the "Startup Impact" column to identify the heaviest ones.

* Delete temporary files: Windows accumulates temporary files that can become corrupted and slow down your system.

* How to do it: Press the Windows key + R, type %temp%, and press Enter. In the folder that opens, select everything (Ctrl + A) and delete the files (skip any that can't be deleted).

Windows 11 includes tools specifically designed to troubleshoot update issues.

* Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter: This tool can automatically detect and fix many common problems.

* How to do it: Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Search for Windows Update and click Run. When it's finished, restart your computer.

* Run System File Checker (SFC): This command scans and repairs corrupted system files, a common cause of post-update slowness.

* How to do it: Search for Command Prompt or CMD in the Start menu, right-click, and select Run as administrator. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. The process will take a few minutes.

Tip: A GIF showing the process of running the sfc /scannow command in Command Prompt.

A Windows update can cause conflicts with outdated hardware drivers, especially those for your graphics card.

* How to update the graphics card driver:

* Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.

* Expand the Display Adapters section.

* Right click on your graphics card (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and select Update driver.

* Choose Search automatically for drivers.

* Alternative: It is even more advisable to directly visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD or Intel) and download and install the latest drivers designed for your specific model.

Windows 11 is visually appealing, but its transparencies and animations consume resources.

* Turn off transparency effects: Go to Settings > Personalization > Colors and turn off Transparency Effects.

* Adjust for best performance:

* Search for View advanced system settings in the Start menu.

* On the Advanced tab, under “Performance,” click Settings.

* Select Adjust for best performance.

If your computer has been running for a long time without restarting, or if it doesn't have enough free hard drive space, you may experience sudden slowness. These are the first things to check.

If none of the above works and you're sure the update is the culprit, you can "uninstall" it.

* Option 1: Uninstall the specific update:

* Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history.

* Below, select Uninstall updates.

* Find the latest update (identified by a KBXXXXXXX code), select it, and click Uninstall.

* Option 2: Roll back to the previous version of Windows:

* Important: This option is only available for 10 days after a major feature update.

* Go to Settings > System > Recovery and click Restore. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Getting your PC back up to speed after a failed update is often a process of elimination. By following these steps, you're likely to find the culprit and get your machine back to its optimal state.