Why Is Windows 11 Slow? Troubleshooting, Updates & Performance Fixes in 2025

For many Windows 11 users—particularly those running older hardware or struggling with resource constraints—complaints of sluggish performance have become all too familiar. Despite a modern user interface and ambitious AI features, Windows 11 has in some configurations felt less responsive than its predecessor, Windows 10. In a crucial move, Microsoft is now reaching out for help: the company is encouraging participants in its Windows Insider program to submit detailed system logs whenever they experience slowdowns or system stutters, aiming to identify root causes and deliver meaningful fixes within future builds. This renewed emphasis on diagnostic transparency and user-driven troubleshooting, alongside broader improvements expected in the Windows 11 25H2 update, marks a decisive chapter in Microsoft’s evolving quest to balance innovation with the real-world performance needs of its massive user base.

Why Is Windows 11 Running Slow? Unpacking the User Experience​

Since its debut in 2021, Windows 11 has captured headlines for its redesigned, visually rich interface and powerful under-the-hood enhancements. Yet, an undercurrent of criticism persists, especially among power users and those with non-cutting-edge systems. Forums across the web, including WindowsForum.com, are full of user stories: the Start Menu lags, File Explorer freezes, Settings open with a visible delay, and system updates sometimes introduce new bottlenecks rather than eliminating old ones. For a sizeable cohort, Windows 11’s baseline responsiveness fails to meet the expectations set by years of smooth Windows 10 usage.
Notably, even PCMag’s own comparative benchmarks found Windows 11 to be “largely equal to Windows 10 in terms of raw performance on traditional synthetic benchmarks.” This parity, however, isn’t what every user reports—especially outside lab conditions and with older or barely-compatible hardware. For many, day-to-day use feels measurably slower. Strict hardware requirements, like the need for TPM 2.0 and newer processors, have furthered frustration, making some users question whether upgrading was worth it.

The Feedback Hub and Microsoft’s Log Collection Initiative​

The key development in 2025 is Microsoft’s introduction of a transparent “slowdown logging system.” In the latest preview builds, anytime a Windows Insider encounters sluggish performance, logs are created and stored locally. Should the user opt to provide feedback—by selecting the Desktop > System Sluggishness category in Feedback Hub—these logs are then sent directly to Microsoft’s engineering teams. The stated aim is simple but ambitious: empower engineers to “root cause issues faster” by examining ground-level details that aren’t always visible from automated telemetry.
Crucially, this automated log collection and submission process is available only to those enrolled in the Windows Insider program, not to users on the stable release. Ordinary users’ data remains unaffected unless they join Insider builds and proactively submit feedback. This privacy-respecting approach means only those intentionally participating in early testing will have their slowdown logs analyzed by Microsoft.
From a technical perspective, this marks a significant expansion of Microsoft’s user partnership model. Feedback Hub, previously a catch-all for bug and suggestion reports, will now double as a conduit for deeply technical diagnostics. What’s changing is more than how feedback is collected—it’s the promise that users’ real-world slowdowns, which often evade lab benchmarks, are finally being systematized, categorized, and sent straight to engineering, potentially accelerating bug fixes and performance tuning.

How the New Logging System Works​

• Local Log Collection: Logs detailing system behavior during slowdowns are captured automatically on the device while the user is active in a Windows Insider preview.
• User-Driven Submission: Data is not sent automatically or in the background. Instead, users must open Feedback Hub, select the “System Sluggishness” category, and submit feedback for the logs to be transmitted to Microsoft.
• Engineering Analysis: Once received, these logs enable Microsoft engineers to correlate anecdotal sluggishness reports with concrete system data—ranging from resource utilization spikes and driver conflicts to low-level scheduling anomalies.

This workflow addresses one of the oldest barriers in operating system maintenance: converting subjective user reports (“My PC feels slow!”) into actionable, reproducible engineering insights. For organizations supporting large Windows deployments, the capacity to relay precise diagnostic material could reshape enterprise troubleshooting and L1 support escalation paths.

Performance Problems: What Exactly Goes Wrong?​

Windows 11’s performance woes stem from a range of well-documented issues:

• Heavy UI Animations: Modern visual effects and translucency—while attractive—can strain older GPUs and integrated graphics, leading to laggy window movement and menu animations.
• Excessive Startup Programs: Many third-party apps sneak onto the startup list, lengthening boot times and devouring valuable RAM even before you start working.
• Bloated Temporary Files and Caches: As temporary files, caches, and system logs pile up, they slowly erode performance. In extreme cases where SSD/HDD space falls below 30%, both boot and app launch times degrade sharply.
• Update-Induced Bugs: Notably, recent updates like KB5048652 and KB5048667 have triggered widespread slowdowns, allegedly due to changes in the CPU scheduler and other core systems.
• Driver Compatibility Issues: Legacy or incompatible drivers, especially graphics drivers, can cause stutters and freezes—sometimes resolved only after manual updates or rollbacks.

Is Windows 11 Actually Slower Than Windows 10?​

Synthetic benchmarks generally show parity between Windows 10 and 11 under controlled conditions, as corroborated by PCMag’s tests. But real-world feedback often diverges from these numbers. This gap appears to be exacerbated on hardware at the lower end of the compatibility list, or when running insider preview builds and major feature updates.
For example, the Windows 11 24H2 update introduced critical bugs that led to performance safeguides (update blocks) on certain systems, and although Microsoft has been quick to patch, anecdotal user complaints about persistent “jankiness” and resource spikes persist.

Common DIY Solutions to Speed Up Windows 11​

The Windows community has cataloged a host of pragmatic fixes. Here are some of the most widely validated tips:

1. Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs​

• Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
• Navigate to the Startup tab.
• Right-click and disable any application not required on boot.

Startup software is a stealthy performance killer—disabling non-essentials can cut 10-30 seconds from boot times and reduce idle RAM/CPU usage.

2. Adjust or Disable Visual Effects​

• Visit Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects or search for “Performance Options.”
• Turn off animation effects and, optionally, other visual flourishes.

While some users love the polish, others gain substantial speedups from disabling these effects—especially on underpowered or integrated graphics systems.

3. Regularly Clean Temporary Files and System Caches​

• Use Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense (Settings > System > Storage).
• Remove old Windows installations, update remnants, and large temp files.

Users report reclaiming up to 10GB of space and boosting responsiveness with this approach.

4. Keep Windows and Drivers Updated​

• Check for Windows Updates and install optional driver updates (Settings > Windows Update > Advanced Options > Optional Updates).
• For GPU drivers, check manufacturers’ websites for the latest releases.

Updates can introduce both fixes and new bugs, so staying current helps—provided you also know how to roll back problematic updates if needed.

5. System Health Check and Virus Scanning​

• Run Windows PC Health Check to ensure hardware meets minimum requirements.
• Use up-to-date antivirus software for regular scans. Malware can significantly drag down performance.

6. Consider Power Plan Tweaks​

• For desktops or plugged-in laptops, switch to the “High Performance” power plan via Settings > System > Power & battery.
• Note: This increases energy draw but unlocks maximum CPU and disk speeds.

7. Deactivate Resource-Consuming Features​

• Features like Transparency Effects, suggestions, and notification banners all nibble at resources.
• Turn these off in Settings > Personalization > Colors/Notifications/Device Usage.

Troubleshooting Update-Specific Performance Issues​

Recent cumulative updates—particularly KB5048652 and KB5048667—have been major culprits in performance slowdowns. Users have described temporary relief via reboot, only for sluggishness to reappear. Some root causes point to problems within the CPU scheduler, especially on hybrid architectures (Intel’s P/E cores, AMD’s latest chips). If you suspect an update is to blame:

• Run “sfc /scannow” and “DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth” from an elevated Command Prompt to repair system file corruption.
• Consider uninstalling the problematic update via Settings > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates.
• Disable Fast Startup under Power Options, which can sometimes induce longer-than-usual boot times post-update.

If rolling back the update restores your performance, report this directly via Feedback Hub—Microsoft is tracking such incidents closely in their new logging system.

The Upcoming Windows 11 25H2 Update: Hope for a Faster Future?​

Windows 11 25H2 is on the horizon, with its public release expected later this year. Early details highlight a focus on:

• Expanded AI features (such as Copilot+ for AMD and Intel systems).
• Enhanced accessibility tools, now including richer AI-generated image descriptions, even on non-Snapdragon hardware.
• Key performance log improvements: Windows will automatically log instances of system sluggishness and link this directly to user-submitted Feedback Hub reports, accelerating engineering response times.
• Tweaks and bugfixes aimed at stability, multi-monitor support, File Explorer reliability, and overall UI responsiveness.

The combination of broad AI adoption and a new log-driven approach to diagnosing performance issues could represent a watershed moment for Microsoft’s feedback culture. IT professionals, in particular, may find faster turnaround on user complaints and more automated troubleshooting pathways.

Critical Analysis: Strengths, Risks, and User Privacy​

Notable Strengths​

• User-Driven Diagnostics: By harvesting real-time slowdown logs with each specific feedback incident, Microsoft dramatically shortens the distance between a user’s problem and engineering’s eyes. This could eliminate much of the ambiguity previously plaguing bug triage.
• AI-Enabled Self-Improvement: Coupled with a robust Feedback Hub and Copilot-driven troubleshooting, Windows 11’s self-diagnostic powers are evolving rapidly.
• Stable Foundations for Most Users: For those not affected by recent update bugs or hardware quirks, Windows 11 continues to provide strong performance parity with Windows 10.
• Community Engagement: The Insider initiative underscores Microsoft’s recognition that operating system design must evolve hand-in-hand with community needs and real-world diagnostics.

Potential Risks​

• Privacy Concerns: Though logs are only uploaded with user consent, users remain wary of any system that collects detailed operational metadata. Microsoft stresses that logs are neither collected automatically nor tied to stable builds, but transparency about what’s inside those logs and how long they’re retained is paramount.
• Update Reliability: As evidenced by the fallout from KB5048667 and other large updates, even well-intentioned fixes can introduce new slowdowns. Microsoft’s safeguard holds temporarily prevent some users from updating, but broader QA improvements remain sorely needed.
• Hardware Fragmentation: Improved performance for the newest chipsets sometimes comes at the expense of uncanny bugs for legacy hardware. Some users may remain perpetually stuck between a rock and a hard place—unable to upgrade or unwilling to downgrade.

Cautionary Points​

When offering diagnostic logs, users should carefully read any privacy prompts and stay abreast of Microsoft’s published privacy policies. Those uncomfortable with any level of telemetry or log sharing can continue using the stable channel, which, as of now, does not collect these additional system logs.

Table: Quick Reference—Key Steps to Improve Windows 11 Performance​

Step	Details
Disable Startup Programs	Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable unnecessary entries
Adjust Visual Effects	Settings > Accessibility > Visual effects > Toggle off animations
Clean Temp Files	Disk Cleanup/Storage Sense (Settings > System > Storage)
Update Drivers & Windows	Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates
Virus & Malware Scan	Use Microsoft Defender or reputable third-party antivirus
High Performance Power Plan	Settings > System > Power & battery > High performance
Rollback Troublesome Updates	Settings > Windows Update > View Update history > Uninstall

Looking Ahead: The Future of Windows 11 Performance​

While frustrations over sporadic slowdowns and update-induced setbacks remain, Microsoft’s embrace of user-submitted logs through the Feedback Hub represents a meaningful step forward. For those eager to see real performance improvements, participation in the Insider program offers a chance to directly influence the OS’s evolution. As the 25H2 update nears release, the entire Windows community will be watching closely—its success will be measured not by headline-grabbing features, but by the everyday speed and responsiveness it can finally deliver.
For ongoing tips, troubleshooting guides, and first-hand performance reports, WindowsForum.com is your hub for collective wisdom and latest news on all things Windows 11. Whether you’re a tinkerer squeezing the last frames from an aging laptop or an IT admin rolling out the next big feature wave, your feedback—and your logs—are central to shaping a faster, smarter, and more reliable Windows experience.

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Source: PCMag Windows 11 Running Slow? Microsoft Wants to See Your Logs to (Maybe) Fix It