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Slow computer

Laptop slow after a Windows update

Laptop slow after a Windows update? Why it happens, how long to wait, and quick fixes for drivers, power mode, and startup apps.

Difficulty
Easy
Time
15-60 min
Steps
7
Updated

Sounds like this?

  • Everything got slow after an update
  • Fan runs constantly for a while
  • High CPU from 'Antimalware Service Executable' or 'Windows Search'

Step by step

  1. Give it a few hours plugged in. After big updates, Windows re-indexes files, scans for malware, and optimizes apps in the background.
  2. Restart once more and check Settings › Windows Update for pending restarts or more updates.
  3. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) › Processes, and sort by CPU, Memory, and Disk to see what's busy.
  4. Update graphics and chipset drivers from the maker's site. New Windows builds sometimes need newer drivers.
  5. Check power mode: Settings › System › Power & battery › Power mode › Balanced or Best performance.
  6. Disable unneeded startup apps: Settings › Apps › Startup.
  7. If it's still slow after a few days, uninstall the most recent update (Update history › Uninstall updates) and report it.

Quick answers

When should I stop and get professional help with "Laptop slow after a Windows update"?

Stop and get help if: Disk stays at 100% all the time on an older hard drive (see our SSD guide). The laptop is also hot to the touch or shutting off. It's slow even in Safe Mode. Boise Computer Care can diagnose it for a $60 fee; call 208-996-3508.

How long does this fix take and how hard is it?

Plan on 15-60 min. Difficulty: Easy.

Is it safe to try this myself?

Mostly, if you follow these precautions: Plug in laptops and let background tasks finish; don't force shutdowns during indexing or updates.

Still stuck?

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