New Windows 10 update making everything slow

Stay away from feature update 20H2!

Like everyone else, my laptop (HP Pavillion) was failing to install any more updates due to reasons, so I bought a SDD for it, installed a fresh copy of WIN10 and it has been flying since. I ended up installing the 20H2 feature update and it is like this thing is trying to push electrons through molasses!

I have yet to decide on what to do with this PC, though I will probably blow it away again and give linux a whirl. I just hope the new PC I bought with WIN10 on it will give me a few days of operating joy. Until the next patch cycle I guess.

I can't help but think whether M$ is onto the same operating standards as Apple, by slowing down older devices and reducing battery life #conspiracytheory

fml.

Hi Koopuh. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 year Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator here to help you.

1. If this was caused by Windows Update(s) then you can check which were installed at Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update under Update History, then uninstall them from the link there, and immediately check for these again and hide with the Hide Updates tool explained here: https://www.howtogeek.com/223864/how-to-uninsta...

You can also use System Restore from within Windows to get back before the problem began, then check for Updates with the Hide Update tool and hide them: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-system-r...

2. Update your drivers and BIOS/UEFI firmware from PC or motherboard maker's Support Downloads web page, using the full model number, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

Updating drivers from the Device Manager or Windows Update is rarely enough. The most basic thing we need to learn to maintain a PC is keep the latest manufacturer's drivers installed from their Support Downloads web page.

3. Go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

4. If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, by installing Media Creation Tool, open tool and choose to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows while keeping files, programs and most settings in place, and is also the most stable method to advance to the latest version. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Actually, this is helpful at some point. Thanks for the detailed steps and advices. But, uninstalling updates don't work well. For example, I had the 2018 update installed. Around 5 times, I had to uninstal it. Because windows has some kind of problem. Yeah, I do understand that Microsoft is thinking about our safety and they care about out comfort. But what Microsoft actually does is to force us till some point, and when we don't update, the system updates by itself. This causes issues and I once almost missed my classes due to this issue. I'd be happy if you cound help about a solution except for deleting system files or uninstalling the windows update. Also if you want to know the update I have done, it's the 20H2 update. And, 1909 or whatever is it update also has the same issues. It basically makes everything laggier and I can't do things that I could easily do before.

I did all of these things even defraged, cleaned up. I'm ready to through this computer in the garbage, it was fine before.

Why would these companies update these programs only to make them worse and lose customers? 

Why don't they try these updates on their home computer first and find out how crappy they are!

Helll Lil Lee

I am so sorry to hear that your having to deal with MS Update mess. I am not affiliated with MS in anyway, other then to say I use their products. On a laptop, depending on your machines internal setup, like the processor speed and other things will determine how long it takes for your system to go through the restore process. I will say, being a laptop owner myself, when my laptop got screwed up as a result of the MS Updates, it took me hours, and I mean hours, if not almost the entire day for my system to restore to the previous setup. I can only share from my experience, it's not to say, your going to have the same experience, although it's not out of the realm of possibilities. 

I sit behind 3 completely different editing rigs and 8 monitors and I own one laptop. Each one of my rigs has gotten bomb blasted by the MS Updates, it's happened so often, rather then try to rush to get all my systems back to 100%, I have been taking my time. Do to the fact, the last time I was approx 85% of the way done, only to have MS release another update which once again, messed my system up so bad. Then when I did finally get it restored or rolled back, I was so happy when it finally rebooted, only to learn the 30 minute wait time to log back in WAS NOT RESOLVED, so I spent two additional days trying to figure out, why it was taking 30 minutes for my systems to log back. The problem was buried so deep in the computer, that I never figured it out, even as I followed the instructions from the MS tech here on this website. But I will say this, I finally got my systems back to 100%, all 3 of my Editing Machines are now back up and running. 

I will share with you, what I ended up having to do, simply because, nothing and I mean nothing these guys here suggested worked. So I ended up, unplugging my extra internal hard drives that I have all my personal files on, if you system does not have extra internal or external HD drives. I suggest you purchase one and back all your personal files on to it. Once you do, as in my case I ended up formatting all 3 of my machines and then reinstalled Windows 10 Pro, I also included all the updates and I installed all update until there wasn't anymore updates to be had. When I restored my machines this way, pretty much empty other then the operating system. All three of my Rigs came back running at 100%, I will say, that before I wiped the machine, I even tried to roll back Windows keeping My Personal Files and allowed my software to remain in the "C - Drive", all to no avail. I tried this on all 3 rigs, because we have the option, of keeping personal files & software, but again, it did not work for me. You can try it that way, but it did not work for me. Not until I took and reformatted the primary drive and installed the (OS) Windows 10 Pro with all the updates, did all 3 of my Movie Editing Rigs come back to 100%, I know and understand it's probably not what you wanna hear, but again, nothing the folks here on this MS Website suggested worked for me, I mean nothing and I spent about 2 to 3 days trouble shooting, because I had just gotten my systems back up from the first screw up, which I think it was the 1909 Update, then it happened again with the, what is it 2020 or 2002, I forget the version number. But the second time my 3 rig got messed up again with MS updates, I didn't even hesitate, to unplug my extra drives and I instantly wiped my primary drive and I did the same thing, I reinstalled Window Pro 10 with the all the updates and then Reinstalled all my software and I was up and ruining in no time. It's really very sad, and I was mad as ****, I even started looking at different operating systems, because I am fed up with MS and their updates. But for me, its not that easy, 3 editing machines, means I would have to purchase all new software, HUH!!  

In closing, I just wanted to share how I fixed my systems, because as far as I can see, as a result of the two most recent updates, I spent approx 4-5 days in total, trying to correct the problem, all to no avail, until I just reformatted all my primary dives on each machine. The key is, don't load anything into the machine, just the operating system, with all the updates, before you reinstall any of your personal software. 

I really sorry for your trouble and I'm sorry that I don't have a better fix, but between all the research here at this site, I have never read or even seen anyone of MS techs suggest that the quickest fix is to wipe your hard drive and reinstall the Windows 10 System (OS), it would save everyone so much time. All I can ask of MS is, please get it together!!

I got hit by this update trash update too, in October. Then I somehow restored it back to 1909. And today, all of a sudden, now of my programs seem to open, if i install from an .exe file. So i have reached Windows support and after wasting a whole day of mine, they advised me to install an in place upgrade so they can assist me in resolving the issue, as i am running an older version of windows. I told him the last time I have upgraded this rendered it in a bootloop and a stuck on lock screen,but he insisted on updating and i did update. Now it booted up just fine, like the last time and after restarting it is where the problem rises up like a phoenix, the same stuck lock screen for hours is Back !!!. Looks like linux is the way to go:(

I think the problem with the frustration here is that, apparently, Microsoft Updates just come with "names" that look like they're in a foreign language.  Yes, you can look up the code name for the update and Microsoft will explain its significance, but one should not have to be a high-level programmer to be able to understand what impact a particular MS update is going to have on one's PC.  Everyone uses their computers for different things... some of us use them for work, some of us use them for hobbies, some use them for gaming, etc.  For my own part, I rely heavily on my computers for my work... and, in my off-time, I enjoy using a high-end Alienware for gaming and simulation.  Perfect example at hand, since the new Windows 2020 was installed (which, by the way, included a MASSIVE number of updates0, MS Flight Simulator 2020 runs horribly.

How do I know which one (or two, or three, or what combination[s]) of those updates is/were the culprit?

Therein, I believe, lay the frustration with your response.  Believe me, it's not that anyone of us isn't appreciative of the time you take to answer these questions, or even that your informative and comprehensive responses may, to some of us, seem like an insurmountable task or degree in computer science is required in order to fix the original problem --- to which end, it seems to us that we now have MORE problems than we first thought.  Especially, at night, when all of our computer-savvy friends are asleep, and we're pulling out our hair. ;) 

As for the rating that was given to your response, I think it was more of a reflection of Koopuh's frustration with the way in which MS Updates are distributed, and I don't believe it was personally directed at you, Greg.   When we download and install MS Updates, we think we're doing the right thing --- a good thing --- because we all know how important it is to keep our operating systems up-to-date AND, in this day and age, secure... but, some of the updates are actually harmful to the purposes for which certain of us have for our computers.

For me, it appears that an entirely new version of Windows 10 is on my PC, whereas I originally had the PC built with Windows 10 Pro x64 version (whatever), and version 2004 has turned it into a $4,000 paperweight for Flight Simulator, Rainbow 6, etc.  Luckily for me, I have a Windows Image (something MS are trying to phase OUT of their operating systems) with which I can restore my PC back to its original version of Windows.

NOW COMES THE REAL FRUSTRATION... how to figure out which updates apply to the original operating system, and how to prevent version 2004 from EVER installing on this computer again.  

Respectfully,

-Joe