If your PC suddenly feels sluggish after a Windows 11 update, you’re not alone—and no, it doesn’t mean your laptop is “getting old” overnight. Many users notice slower boot times, laggy apps, stuttering animations, or unusually high CPU and disk usage right after an update is installed. This happens because Windows updates often reset background services, re-index files, change power settings, or introduce driver conflicts without making it obvious to the user.
The important thing to understand is this: most post-update slowdowns are temporary and fixable. In many cases, Windows is still finishing background tasks like indexing, optimization, or syncing. In other cases, a single misconfigured setting or outdated driver is enough to drag performance down significantly.
Windows 11 Running Slow After Update? Here are the 10 fixes:
In this guide, we’ll walk through practical, real-world fixes that normal users can apply—no technical jargon, no risky tweaks, and no third-party “optimizer” software. Start from the first fix and work your way down. You don’t need to try everything. In most cases, one or two of these steps are enough to bring Windows 11 back to its normal speed.
1. Give Windows Some Time After the Update:
Major Windows updates don’t finish everything the moment your desktop appears. In the background, Windows continues indexing files, optimizing system components, and syncing services. During this phase, temporary slowness is normal and often resolves on its own.
Right after a major update, Windows 11 runs several background processes:
File indexing
System optimization
App updates
Security scans
During this time, your system may feel slow even though nothing is actually broken.
What to do:
Keep your PC plugged in
Let it sit idle for 30–60 minutes
Restart once after that
If the slowdown continues even after a few hours, move on to the next steps.
2. Restart Your PC (Yes, It Still Matters):
A proper restart clears stuck background services that may not shut down correctly after an update. Many performance issues disappear simply because Windows finally applies pending changes during a clean reboot.
Best approach:
Click Start → Power → Restart
Avoid “Fast Startup” restarts for now
A proper restart clears stuck services and temporary memory issues.
3. Check Task Manager for Resource Hogs:
Sometimes the slowdown isn’t Windows itself but a single process behaving abnormally. Task Manager helps you quickly identify apps or services consuming excessive CPU, memory, or disk resources after the update.
Steps:
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc
Go to the Processes tab
Look for unusually high CPU, Memory, or Disk usage
If something like:
Windows Update
Antimalware Service
A third-party app
is constantly maxing out resources; that’s your slowdown source.
Tip: If it’s a third-party app you don’t need, disable it from startup (next fix).
4. Disable Unnecessary Startup Apps:
Windows updates can silently re-enable startup programs you previously disabled. Too many background apps launching at boot can slow down startup time and make the system feel heavy even when idle.
How to fix it:
Open Task Manager
Go to the Startup apps tab
Disable apps you don’t need immediately (chat apps, launchers, auto-updaters)
This alone can dramatically improve boot time and overall responsiveness.
5. Switch Power Mode to Best Performance:
After updates, Windows may switch your power profile to a balanced or power-saving mode. This limits CPU performance and can make even basic tasks feel laggy, especially on laptops.
Steps:
Open Settings → System → Power & battery
Under Power mode, select Best performance
Restart your PC
This is especially important for laptops.
6. Update Graphics and Chipset Drivers:
Windows updates sometimes conflict with older drivers, leading to stuttering, lag, or UI delays. Keeping graphics and chipset drivers updated ensures Windows communicates properly with your hardware.
What to do:
Open Device Manager
Update:
Display adapters
Processor / chipset
Storage controllers
For best results, download drivers directly from:
Intel / AMD / NVIDIA
Your laptop manufacturer’s website
Avoid random driver updater tools.
7. Check Storage Space (Windows Needs Breathing Room):
When your system drive is nearly full, Windows struggles to manage temporary files and virtual memory. This can slow down everything from boot time to app launches.
Rule of thumb:
Keep at least 15–20% free space on drive C:
Use:
Settings → Storage → Cleanup recommendations
Disk Cleanup tool
Deleting temporary update files can free several GB instantly.
8. Turn Off Visual Effects (Safe and Reversible):
Animations and transparency effects look smooth, but they do consume system resources. Disabling unnecessary visual effects can make Windows feel noticeably faster without affecting functionality.
Steps:
Press Windows + R, type
sysdm.cplGo to Advanced → Performance → Settings
Choose Adjust for best performance
(or customize manually)
This makes Windows feel snappier immediately.
9. Check for Another Windows Update (Yes, Again):
It may sound repetitive, but Microsoft often releases quick follow-up patches to fix performance bugs introduced by earlier updates. Installing these can instantly resolve slowdowns.
Ironically, many slowdowns are fixed by a follow-up patch.
Go to:
Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates
Install any pending cumulative updates and restart.
10. Scan for Corrupted System Files:
Occasionally, system files get damaged during the update process. Running a system scan helps Windows detect and repair these files before they cause long-term performance issues.
Steps:
Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Run:
Let it finish and restart
This is safe and often overlooked.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q-1: Why does Windows 11 slow down after updates?
Answer: Because updates reset services, drivers, power settings, and background tasks. The slowdown is usually temporary or caused by one misconfigured setting.
Q-2: How long should I wait after an update before worrying?
Answer: Give it at least an hour and one restart. If performance doesn’t improve, start troubleshooting.
Q-3: Will reinstalling Windows fix the slowdown?
Answer: In most cases, no. The fixes above solve the problem without reinstalling or losing data.
Q-4: Can low-end PCs handle Windows 11 updates?
Answer: Yes, but they’re more sensitive to background tasks and visual effects. Disabling startup apps and animations helps a lot.
Final Thoughts:
A slow PC after a Windows 11 update is frustrating—but it’s rarely permanent. In most cases, the issue comes down to background tasks, reset settings, or driver mismatches rather than serious hardware problems.
Take it step by step. Don’t rush into reinstalling Windows or buying new hardware. With the fixes above, most systems return to normal—or even better—performance.