Windows 11 Running Slow After Update: Troubleshooting Guide
Experiencing sluggish performance after a Windows 11 update is a common frustration. Updates, while intended to improve the operating system, can sometimes introduce conflicts or strain system resources. Here’s a practical guide to troubleshoot and resolve the slowdown.
Initial Checks and Quick Fixes
- Restart Your Computer: This simple step often resolves temporary glitches. Make sure to fully restart, not just shut down and turn on.
- Check CPU and Memory Usage: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. Observe the CPU and Memory columns. High usage (above 80%) consistently indicates a problem. Identify the processes consuming the most resources.
- Close Unnecessary Programs: If Task Manager reveals high usage by specific applications, close them. Even background processes can contribute to slowdowns.
Advanced Troubleshooting Steps
Disk Optimization and Cleanup
- Run Disk Cleanup: Search for "Disk Cleanup" in the Start menu. Select your primary drive (usually C:) and check the boxes for temporary files, thumbnails, and recycle bin. Running this can free up significant disk space, especially after an update.
- Defragment Your Hard Drive: If you're using a traditional HDD (Hard Disk Drive), defragmenting can improve performance. Search for "Defragment and Optimize Drives" and select your drive. If it's fragmented above 10%, optimize it. SSDs (Solid State Drives) do not need defragmentation.
- Check Disk Health (SFC): Open Command Prompt as administrator (search for "cmd" and right-click to run as administrator). Type `sfc /scannow` and press Enter. This will scan for and attempt to repair corrupted system files, which can contribute to performance issues. This process can take upwards of 15 minutes.
Update Drivers and Rollback Updates
- Update Drivers: Outdated drivers, especially for graphics cards, can cause performance problems. Open Device Manager (search for it in the Start menu), expand each category, and right-click on devices to update drivers. Consider downloading the latest drivers directly from the manufacturer's website (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel).
- Consider Rolling Back the Update: If the slowdown started immediately after a specific update, consider uninstalling it. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates. Select the problematic update and click Uninstall. This should only be done as a last resort.
By systematically following these steps, you can often identify and resolve the issues causing Windows 11 to run slowly after an update. Remember to be patient and methodical in your approach.