Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Windows 10 April 2017 update

Apr 15, 2017 9:32AM PDT

Anyone have suggestions as to where to go to look for answers when your PC games slow down to a craw after a windows update? I uninstalled the update but the games are still slow. Fact: The games ran fine prior to the update, ran slow after the update but did not return to normal by uninstalling the update?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Check your Display Drivers
Apr 15, 2017 10:12AM PDT

Found solution to my own question. In the last update, Windows wiped out my NVIDIA driver and replaces with with their generic windows driver.

Also anyone else with NVIDIA driver, this youtube video is excellent on how get just the drivers and do a "clean" re-install.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ulQYC_HP9s&t=309s

- Collapse -
Not Just Display Drivers
Apr 15, 2017 10:50AM PDT

Whenever Windows does an update, whether it be the standard monthly Windows updates or especially the large "upgrade" types like the Anniversary Upgrade or the new Creators Update, they will frequently install the "Windows choice" for the correct driver on your computer. As you've found, they don't always work like they should. As such, after performing the update be sure to check ALL your drivers to see if they've installed something you don't want.

And just in case you aren't aware, it IS possible to prevent drivers from updating automatically in Windows 10. To do so, open the Control Panel, then the "System" icon, then the "Advanced system settings" link on the left side, then the "Hardware" tab, then the "Device Installation Settings" button, then select "NO (your device might not work as expected" box, choose "Apply", then OK.

The above option generally prevents drivers from updating automatically but if it doesn't for you, there is a "Show or Hide Updates Troubleshooter" tool that Microsoft provides. Although I've not needed to use it, here's Microsoft's link about it:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/3073930/how-to-temporarily-prevent-a-driver-update-from-reinstalling-in-windows-10?utm_source=twitter%3Futm_source%3Dtwitter

Hope this helps.

Grif

Post was last edited on April 15, 2017 10:51 AM PDT

- Collapse -
Yes but the original poster
Apr 17, 2017 4:01AM PDT

said it's specifically when running games so that would point to the most likely reason being graphics driver.

- Collapse -
Yep, And He Answered His Own Question.... But...
Apr 17, 2017 10:02AM PDT

..if Windows Update changed one driver,( in this case the OP noticed a problem with games FIRST), it could also have changed another driver which might cause a problem with another program later.

It's always worth watching to see what those updates are doing and here, we also block Windows from updating those drivers. It's why I made both points in the previous response.

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
Update options
Apr 17, 2017 11:45PM PDT

I hope the next update wouldn't the same, especially if there are multiple programs installed that might get affected with those automatic change of drivers.

- Collapse -
As Mentioned Earlier... Disable The Auto Driver Update
Apr 18, 2017 2:18PM PDT
"it IS possible to prevent drivers from updating automatically in Windows 10. To do so, open the Control Panel, then the "System" icon, then the "Advanced system settings" link on the left side, then the "Hardware" tab, then the "Device Installation Settings" button, then select "NO (your device might not work as expected" box, choose "Apply", then OK."

It shouldn't automatically "download manufacturer's apps and icons for devices".

Hope this helps.

Grif