How to fix Windows 11 computer running slow after installing new software or drivers

Installing new software or updating drivers on Windows 11 can sometimes lead to noticeable performance issues, such as slow boot times, laggy applications, or high CPU usage. This guide will help you identify the culprit and restore your computer’s performance using built-in Windows tools and safe troubleshooting methods.

Quick Fix Steps

If you need a fast resolution, try these steps in order. Most performance issues caused by recent installations can be fixed here.

1. Restart your computer — a simple reboot can clear temporary files and stop runaway processes.
2. Uninstall the recently added software via Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
3. Roll back a recently updated driver using Device Manager.
4. Check for Windows updates — Microsoft may have released a fix.
5. Run a quick scan with Windows Security to rule out malware bundled with new software.

Detailed Instructions

1. Identify the recently installed program or driver

Before making changes, determine what was installed or updated around the time the slowdown began.

1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Apps > Installed apps.
3. Click the Sort by drop-down and select Install date.
4. Note the most recent entries at the top of the list.
5. For drivers, press Windows key + X and select Device Manager. Look for devices with a yellow warning triangle, which may indicate a problematic driver update.

2. Uninstall the recently added software

If a newly installed application is causing the slowdown, removing it is the most direct solution.

1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Find the recently installed program in the list.
3. Click the three-dot menu next to it and select Uninstall.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the removal.
5. Restart your computer and test performance.

3. Roll back a recently updated driver

Driver updates can introduce compatibility problems. Rolling back to the previous version often resolves slowdowns.

1. Press Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand the category for the device you suspect (for example, Display adapters for graphics drivers or Network adapters for network issues).
3. Right-click the device and select Properties.
4. Go to the Driver tab.
5. Click Roll Back Driver. If the button is greyed out, no previous driver is available.
6. Follow the prompts and restart your computer.

4. Use System Restore to undo recent changes

If multiple changes were made around the same time, System Restore can return your computer to a previous state without affecting personal files.

1. Press Windows key, type recovery, and select Recovery from the results.
2. Under Advanced recovery, click Open System Restore.
3. Click Next and choose a restore point dated before the software or driver installation.
4. Click Scan for affected programs to see what will be removed.
5. Click Next, then Finish to begin the restore process.

5. Check for Windows updates and optional driver updates

Microsoft frequently releases patches that address performance issues caused by third-party software or drivers.

1. Open Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates.
3. Install any available updates and restart if prompted.
4. After the restart, go back to Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates.
5. Expand Driver updates and review any listed drivers. Install only those from reputable manufacturers.

6. Perform a clean boot to isolate the cause

A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This helps determine whether a background service from the new software is causing the slowdown.

1. Press Windows key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
2. Go to the Services tab.
3. Check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.
4. Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
5. In Task Manager, disable all startup items by right-clicking each and selecting Disable.
6. Close Task Manager and click OK in System Configuration.
7. Restart your computer.

If performance improves in clean boot, re-enable services and startup items in small groups until the culprit is identified.

Troubleshooting Specific Scenarios

High CPU or memory usage after installation

Some software installs background processes that consume excessive resources.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Click the Processes tab and sort by CPU or Memory.
3. Identify any process related to the recently installed software.
4. Right-click the process and select End task to test if performance improves.
5. If the process returns after a restart, uninstall the software or disable its startup entry.

Slow boot after driver update

A driver that loads during startup can delay the boot process significantly.

1. Open Device Manager and roll back the driver as described above.
2. If rollback is not available, boot into Safe Mode and uninstall the driver from there.
3. Restart normally and let Windows install a generic driver automatically.

Graphics or display issues after driver update

Display drivers are a common source of performance problems. If you experience screen flickering, lag, or poor rendering:

• Roll back the display driver via Device Manager > Display adapters.
• Download the latest stable driver directly from the GPU manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) rather than using Windows Update.
• Use the Clean installation option during driver setup if available.

Preventative Measures

• Create a System Restore point before installing new software or drivers.
• Download software only from official vendor websites or the Microsoft Store.
• Pause automatic driver updates if you rely on specific hardware configurations. Go to Settings > System > About > Advanced system settings > Hardware > Device Installation Settings and select No.
• Regularly review installed programs and remove anything you no longer use.

If you have followed all the steps above and your computer is still running slowly, you may need to investigate broader performance issues. See our guide on Computer running slow for additional troubleshooting. If the problem persists, Open a Ticket and our support team will assist you.