How to Fix System Feels Slow After a Feature Update

🔧Step-by-Step Fixes

Fix 1: Wait for Background Processes to Complete

This is the most important first step:

1. After the update finishes, let your computer sit idle for 30 minutes
2. Windows is likely reindexing files, optimizing components, and updating security definitions
3. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
4. Look for processes like "Windows Modules Installer Worker", "Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser", or "Windows Search"
5. If these show high CPU or disk usage, they're still working - let them finish
6. Restart your computer once more after everything settles

Many "slow after update" problems resolve themselves if you just give Windows time to finish its post-update tasks.

Fix 2: Check and Disable Re-enabled Startup Apps

Windows updates sometimes re-enable startup programs you had previously disabled:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. Click the Startup tab
3. Look at the Status column - anything marked "Enabled" will start with Windows
4. Disable programs you don't need immediately (Adobe updaters, Spotify, Zoom, etc.)
5. Click Disable for each unnecessary program
6. Restart your computer

Fix 3: Adjust Power Settings

Updates can reset your power plan to "Balanced" which may slow down your system:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings
2. Go to System > Power & battery (or Power in Windows 10)
3. Set Power mode to Best performance
4. For more control, click Additional power settings
5. Select High performance plan (you may need to click "Show additional plans")
6. This uses more battery on laptops but improves performance

Fix 4: Update Drivers

Old drivers designed for pre-update Windows can cause slowdowns:

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager
2. Expand Display adapters
3. Right-click your graphics card and select Update driver
4. Choose Search automatically for drivers
5. Also update Network adapters and any devices with yellow warning icons
6. Better yet, visit your computer manufacturer's website and download the latest chipset, graphics, and network drivers directly
7. Restart after installing driver updates

Fix 5: Run System File Checker

Updates can sometimes corrupt system files:

1. Press Windows + X and select Terminal (Admin)
2. Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter
3. Wait for completion (10-15 minutes)
4. Then type sfc /scannow and press Enter
5. Wait for this to complete (another 10-15 minutes)
6. Restart your computer

Fix 6: Check for Known Update Issues

Microsoft's January 2026 updates had several reported problems:

1. Search online for "Windows [version] [update KB number] problems" (find the KB number in Settings > Windows Update > Update history)
2. Check if others are reporting the same slowdowns
3. If it's a widespread issue, you can uninstall the problematic update:
4. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history
5. Click Uninstall updates
6. Find the recent update and click Uninstall
7. Wait for Microsoft to release a fixed version

Fix 7: Disable New Features You Don't Use

Updates sometimes enable new features that consume resources:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings
2. Go to Privacy & Security
3. Review each section and turn off features you don't use
4. Pay special attention to Background apps - disable apps you don't need running constantly
5. Also check System > Notifications and turn off Show me tips about Windows

Fix 8: Clean Up Temporary Files

Updates can leave behind temporary files that slow things down:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings
2. Go to System > Storage
3. Click Temporary files
4. Check all boxes including "Previous Windows installation(s)" and "Windows Update Cleanup"
5. Click Remove files
6. This frees up space and removes update residue