If your Windows 11 system has become slow after an
update, there could be various reasons for the performance drop. Below is a
step-by-step guide to help identify the potential causes and provide
resolutions.

Possible Reasons for Slow Performance After a Windows 11
Update:

1. System
   Resource Usage: After an update, some processes or services may be
   using too much CPU, RAM, or disk space.
2. Outdated
   or Incompatible Drivers: The update might have introduced
   compatibility issues with hardware drivers.
3. Background
   Processes: New features or settings may have triggered
   resource-intensive background tasks.
4. Windows
   Updates Not Fully Installed: The update may not have completed
   properly, leaving certain system components unfinished.
5. Startup
   Programs: New or updated programs that start with Windows may be
   consuming resources.
6. Fragmented
   or Full Disk: A full or fragmented hard drive can slow down
   performance.
7. Power
   Settings: Power-saving settings can limit CPU performance, especially
   on laptops.
8. Corrupted
   System Files: Some system files could have become corrupted during the
   update.

Step-by-Step Resolution Guide:

Step 1: Check Task Manager for Resource Usage

1. Open
   Task Manager: Right-click on the Start button and select Task
   Manager, or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
2. Check
   CPU, Memory, and Disk Usage:
• Look
  for processes using high CPU, RAM, or disk usage.
• If
  you find a particular process consuming too many resources, right-click
  and choose End Task to stop it temporarily.
• If
  the culprit is a system process or something critical, proceed to the
  next steps.

Step 2: Check for Pending Windows Updates

1. Open
   Settings: Press Windows + I to open the Settings window.
2. Navigate
   to Update & Security: Click Windows Update.
3. Check
   for Updates: Click Check for updates. If there are pending
   updates, install them and restart the computer.

Step 3: Update Device Drivers

1. Open
   Device Manager: Right-click on the Start button and select Device
   Manager.
2. Update
   Drivers:
• Expand
  categories like Display adapters, Network adapters, and Sound,
  video and game controllers.
• Right-click
  on your device and select Update driver.
• Select
  Search automatically for updated driver software and let Windows
  search for newer versions.
• Restart
  your PC after updating.

Step 4: Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs

1. Open
   Task Manager: Right-click on the Start button and select Task
   Manager.
2. Go
   to the Startup Tab: This shows a list of programs that start when your
   computer boots.
3. Disable
   Unnecessary Programs:
• Right-click
  on programs you don’t need at startup and select Disable.
• Disabling
  unnecessary startup programs can significantly improve boot time and
  system performance.

Step 5: Check for Full or Fragmented Disk

1. Check
   Disk Space: Go to Settings > System > Storage
   and check how much space is available on your hard drive.
• If
  your disk is almost full, delete unnecessary files or move them to an
  external drive.
2. Defragment
   the Disk (if using HDD):
• Press
  Windows + S, type Defragment, and select Defragment and
  Optimize Drives.
• Select
  your C: Drive and click Optimize (Note: This is only for
  HDDs; SSDs don’t need defragmentation).

Step 6: Adjust Power Settings

1. Open
   Settings: Press Windows + I.
2. Go
   to System > Power & Battery.
3. Select
   Power Mode: Change the power mode to Best Performance (Note: On
   laptops, this may consume more battery).

Step 7: Run System File Check (SFC)

1. Open
   Command Prompt as Admin: Press Windows + S, type Command
   Prompt, right-click, and choose Run as administrator.
2. Run
   SFC Command:
• In
  the Command Prompt window, type:

bash

CopyEdit

sfc /scannow

• Press
  Enter and wait for the scan to complete.
• If
  any corrupt system files are found, the tool will attempt to fix them.

Step 8: Disable Background Apps

1. Open
   Settings: Press Windows + I.
2. Go
   to Apps > Apps & Features.
3. Disable
   Background Apps:
• Scroll
  down and click on the app you don’t need running in the background.
• Turn
  off Let this app run in the background.

Step 9: Check for Malware

1. Run
   Windows Security: Press Windows + I, go to Privacy &
   Security, then click Windows Security.
2. Run
   a Full Scan: Under Virus & Threat Protection, click Quick
   Scan or Full Scan to check for malware or viruses that could be
   slowing your system.

Step 10: Reset Windows 11 (Last Resort)

If the issue persists after trying all the above steps, you
can reset Windows 11 while keeping your files intact:

1. Open
   Settings: Press Windows + I.
2. Go
   to System > Recovery.
3. Select
   Reset this PC: Click Get started and choose Keep my files
   (this will remove apps and settings but retain personal files).
4. Follow
   the on-screen instructions to reset the system.

Additional Tips:

• Check
  for Overheating: Overheating can cause the system to slow down. Ensure
  that the cooling fan is working properly, and clean any dust from the
  system.
• Remove
  Bloatware: After an update, some pre-installed apps may be using
  system resources. Uninstall unnecessary apps via Settings > Apps
  > Apps & Features.
• Consider
  Upgrading Hardware: If your PC is older, a hardware upgrade (like
  adding more RAM or switching to an SSD) can help improve performance.

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