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:
- System
Resource Usage: After an update, some processes or services may be
using too much CPU, RAM, or disk space. - Outdated
or Incompatible Drivers: The update might have introduced
compatibility issues with hardware drivers. - Background
Processes: New features or settings may have triggered
resource-intensive background tasks. - Windows
Updates Not Fully Installed: The update may not have completed
properly, leaving certain system components unfinished. - Startup
Programs: New or updated programs that start with Windows may be
consuming resources. - Fragmented
or Full Disk: A full or fragmented hard drive can slow down
performance. - Power
Settings: Power-saving settings can limit CPU performance, especially
on laptops. - 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
- Open
Task Manager: Right-click on the Start button and select Task
Manager, or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. - 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
- Open
Settings: Press Windows + I to open the Settings window. - Navigate
to Update & Security: Click Windows Update. - Check
for Updates: Click Check for updates. If there are pending
updates, install them and restart the computer.
Step 3: Update Device Drivers
- Open
Device Manager: Right-click on the Start button and select Device
Manager. - 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
- Open
Task Manager: Right-click on the Start button and select Task
Manager. - Go
to the Startup Tab: This shows a list of programs that start when your
computer boots. - 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
- 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. - 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
- Open
Settings: Press Windows + I. - Go
to System > Power & Battery. - 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)
- Open
Command Prompt as Admin: Press Windows + S, type Command
Prompt, right-click, and choose Run as administrator. - 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
- Open
Settings: Press Windows + I. - Go
to Apps > Apps & Features. - 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
- Run
Windows Security: Press Windows + I, go to Privacy &
Security, then click Windows Security. - 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:
- Open
Settings: Press Windows + I. - Go
to System > Recovery. - Select
Reset this PC: Click Get started and choose Keep my files
(this will remove apps and settings but retain personal files). - 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.