What to Do When Your Computer Is Slow After an Update

After a major update, a computer can feel slower for a while. Often this is temporary, but sometimes it needs attention.

Give it time

After an update, Windows may re-index files, update apps in the background and optimise itself. Leave the computer on and plugged in for a few hours and restart it once or twice.

Check what is running

Open Task Manager and look for processes using high CPU, memory or disk. Updates from Windows or other software may be busy in the background.

Install remaining updates

Check Windows Update again for further patches or driver updates. A fix is sometimes released soon after a larger update.

Update drivers

Graphics, chipset and storage drivers can be reset or become outdated after an update. Download current versions from your device manufacturer.

Check startup programs and settings

Updates occasionally re-enable startup programs or change power settings. Review the Startup apps list and make sure the power mode is set to Balanced or Best performance.

Free up space

Updates leave temporary files behind. Use Storage settings or Disk Cleanup to remove them, including previous Windows installation files if you do not need to roll back.

Roll back if needed

If problems continue, you can uninstall the latest update in Settings, then Windows Update, then Update history, then Uninstall updates. For major version upgrades, Windows offers a limited time to go back to the previous version under Settings, then System, then Recovery.

Run system checks

Run sfc /scannow in an administrator Command Prompt to repair system files, and scan for malware.

Still slow?

See our guide on speeding up a slow Windows PC, and check whether storage or memory upgrades are due.

This article is for general information only and is not professional advice. Features, prices and menu names may change between software versions. See our disclaimer.