Windows 11 Slowing Down Your PC? Here’s What Might Be Going On

By Kim Fourteen| Techwise PH

Posted: July 28, 2025

If you’ve noticed your PC running slower after a recent Windows 11 update, you’re not imagining it. From sluggish File Explorer windows to unusually high memory usage, performance drops are becoming a common complaint—especially among users with mid-range laptops and desktops.

Below, we break down the most reported slowdowns and what you can do to fix (or at least minimize) the issues.

High CPU or RAM Usage After Updates

After installing cumulative updates like KB5039302 or KB5037894, some users have noticed their systems suddenly using excessive CPU or memory—even while idle.

Common culprits:

  • Windows Defender real-time scanning

  • SearchIndexer.exe running wild

  • BackgroundTasksInfrastructure.exe misbehaving

  • Constant Telemetry or “Compatibility Telemetry” activity

Quick fixes:

  • Turn off real-time protection temporarily (Settings > Windows Security)

  • Disable Windows Search Indexing (if not needed)

  • Run msconfig and disable unnecessary startup apps

  • Use Task Manager > Startup Impact to spot memory hogs

File Explorer Becoming Laggy or Unresponsive

File Explorer is at the core of Windows productivity—but in some cases, it’s become painfully slow. Users have reported:

  • Delayed folder loading

  • Context menu freezing

  • Tabs (a new feature) slowing down responsiveness

What’s likely causing it:

  • Shell extensions from third-party apps (like Dropbox or antivirus)

  • New tabbed interface bugs introduced in 23H2 and 24H2 previews

  • Caching issues or outdated Quick Access folders

Solutions to try:

  • Reset File Explorer settings via Folder Options > View > Restore Defaults

  • Clear Quick Access history:
    C:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Recent

  • Temporarily disable third-party extensions with ShellExView

SSD Speed Reduction: Indexing or Memory Leaks?

One of the sneakier issues involves SSD performance degrading after updates. This affects boot times, app launching, and even basic file transfers.

Possible triggers:

  • Windows constantly re-indexing files after updates

  • Memory leaks from Explorer or background processes

  • Misconfigured prefetch or Superfetch settings

What you can do:

  • Pause or limit Indexing (Settings > Search > Searching Windows)

  • Disable Superfetch (SysMain) if your SSD is acting up:

    sc stop "SysMain"
sc config "SysMain" start=disabled

  • Use CrystalDiskMark to test SSD performance before/after changes

Final Word from Techwise PH

Windows 11 has some great features—but behind the flashy UI, performance issues are real. If your PC suddenly starts acting like it’s 5 years older, don’t panic—it’s often fixable. Keep an eye on updates, tweak indexing and startup apps, and don’t be afraid to roll back a patch that causes more harm than good.

Need hands-on help?
Techwise PH offers remote PC cleanup and optimization services. Message us anytime for a fast diagnosis.

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