Question
Issue: How to fix Windows 11 is slow after an update?
I upgraded to Windows 11 a few months ago, and everything was working fine until recently. I have noticed that Windows 11 became slow after updating it with the latest patch that was launched automatically. Now I notice freezes and random lags. Please help me to solve this – it's really annoying.
Solved Answer
People did not anticipate receiving a new version of Windows 10, and many were surprised by Microsoft's announcement to go for Windows 11. Since then, many users have been eagerly waiting for its release, as it included modern UI[1] elements and plenty of improvements to usability, as well as the security of the OS.
Unfortunately, just like with any other Windows version, Windows 11 release was not extremely smooth, and users began complaining about changed features – icon grouping, for example, made people annoyed by the fact that they had to click twice in order to access a particular window of a selected program. Some users also noticed strange shut-down boxes, the inability to bring windows to the foreground, and many other bugs[2] affecting the operating system.
Windows 11 being slow after an update is another issue people were complaining about. Some people reported having random slowdowns and freezes that happen occasionally, others complained that the issues are very persistent. The common trait among the complaints is that the problem happened after installing the latest Windows update.
While reduction of PC performance can be an indication of a failing hardware or malware[3] infection, it can also be caused by bugs or file corruption within the operating system itself. There could be external issues related to it as well, for example, incompatible drivers or applications.
Since there are plenty of different reasons why Windows 11 is slow after an update, we recommend first performing a full system scan with a powerful PC repair tool FortectMac Washing Machine X9. It can target the broken components on the operating system and replace them with brand new ones using a unique technology. It can also remove already installed malware, clean browser caches, and remove junk/leftover files for better computer performance.
Solution 1. Check a troubleshooter
If the lag and slowdowns in Windows 11 started occurring after an update, it could be that the update is buggy. You can check that with the built-in troubleshooter:
- Open Settings and go to the System section
- On the right side of the window, click Troubleshoot
- Select Other troubleshooters
- Here, pick Windows update and click Run
- Continue using on-screen instructions and, once done, restart the system.
We also recommend running additional available troubleshooters, such as the Program Compatibility troubleshooter.
Solution 2. Run SFC and DISM
Corrupted system files can be one of the main reasons for freezes and crashes. You can repair them by using an elevated Command Prompt.
- In Windows search, type cmd
- Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator
- When User Account Control shows up, click Yes
- In the new window, use the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow - Once done, use the following commands, pressing Enter after each:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth - When complete, reboot your system.
Solution 3. Uninstall the latest update
If the update was buggy, you should uninstall it. Note that this is not available after a long time has passed.
- Press Win + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog
- Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter
- Go to View Installed updates
- Sort the updates by date
- Right-click the most recent update and select Uninstall
- Follow on-screen instructions and restart your device
- After a reboot, update Windows.
Solution 4. Check your startup section/uninstall some apps
Third-party applications might sometimes hog a lot of resources. Some antivirus applications are known to become incompatible with Windows after one or the other is updated. Therefore, if the issues started after a Windows update and you are using third-party anti-malware, try uninstalling it and see if that helps.
You can also try to disable startup items that could be causing excessive load on your machine:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager
- Go to the Startup tab
- Here, go through various third-party apps
- Right-click on each of them and select Disable.
Solution 5. Downgrade to Windows 10
If none of the methods helped or the issue started occurring right after upgrading to Windows 11, you can opt to downgrade to Windows 10 for the time being. Many users decided to do so until the performance of the newest Windows iteration is improved by Microsoft.
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Ugnius Kiguolis is the founder and editor-in-chief of UGetFix. He is a professional security specialist and malware analyst who has been working in IT industry for over 20 years.
- ^ Interface (computing). Wikipedia. The free encyclopedia.
- ^ Software Bug. Techopedia. Defining complex tech jargon to exploring the latest tech trends.
- ^ Josh Fruhlinger. Malware explained: How to prevent, detect and recover from it. CSO Online. Security news, features and analysis about prevention.
