How to Fix FPS Drops After the Windows 11 Anniversary Update: Step-by-Step Guide

Experiencing FPS drops after updating to the Windows 11 Anniversary Update can be frustrating, especially when gaming or using graphic-intensive applications. These performance issues often occur due to changes in system settings or outdated drivers. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can follow to improve your FPS and enjoy a smoother experience.

This guide will walk you through easy-to-follow methods to fix FPS drops, starting from the most basic checks to more advanced troubleshooting. Each step includes clear explanations so you understand why it matters.

Whether you’re a casual user or a gamer, these tips will help you restore your system’s performance without needing technical expertise. Let’s get started!

Before diving into solutions, make sure to follow the quick note section below for some easy prerequisites.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Basic Checks

Restart your PC: Sometimes, a simple restart clears temporary glitches causing FPS drops.
Check your internet connection: If playing online games, a poor connection may affect performance.
Close unnecessary applications: Running many programs can consume resources and lower FPS.
Ensure Windows 11 is fully updated: Open Settings > Windows Update and install any pending updates.

Step 1: Update Your Graphics Drivers

Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers are a common cause of FPS drops. Drivers help your operating system communicate efficiently with your graphics card.

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Expand the Display adapters section.
Right-click your graphics card and select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
Follow the prompts to install any found updates.

If Windows can’t find a new driver, visit your GPU manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest driver manually. Keeping drivers updated ensures compatibility with Windows 11 and optimizes performance.

Step 2: Adjust Power Settings for Performance

Windows power plans can limit CPU and GPU performance to save energy. For gaming or intensive tasks, you want to prioritize performance.

Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
Go to System > Power & battery.
Under Power mode, select Best performance.
If you don’t see this option, open Control Panel, go to Power Options, and select High performance.

This step allows your system to use more resources for better performance, reducing FPS drops caused by power-saving features.

Step 3: Disable Fullscreen Optimizations

Fullscreen optimizations in Windows 11 can sometimes cause stuttering or FPS issues in games.

Navigate to the folder where your game is installed.
Right-click the game’s executable file (.exe file) and select Properties.
Go to the Compatibility tab.
Check the box for Disable fullscreen optimizations.
Click Apply and then OK.

Disabling this feature often improves game stability and smooths out frame rates.

Step 4: Adjust Graphics Settings in Your Game

Sometimes, the default graphics settings after an update may be too high for your system to handle smoothly.

Open your game’s settings menu.
Lower options such as resolution, shadows, texture quality, and anti-aliasing.
Enable V-Sync only if you experience screen tearing, otherwise disable it for better FPS.
Save the settings and restart the game.

Reducing in-game graphics demands can significantly improve FPS, especially on mid-range or older hardware.

Step 5: Disable Background Apps and Startup Programs

Background applications can consume CPU, memory, and disk resources, impacting game performance.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Go to the Startup tab.
Disable programs that you don’t need running at startup by right-clicking and selecting Disable.
Next, in the Processes tab, identify and close heavy applications that are not needed while gaming.

Keeping background processes minimal ensures more system resources are dedicated to your game.

Step 6: Adjust Virtual Memory (Paging File) Settings

Virtual memory acts as extra RAM using your hard drive. If it’s too low, FPS drops can occur during heavy workloads.

Press Windows + S, type Advanced system settings, and open it.
In the System Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
Under Performance, click Settings.
Go to the Advanced tab again and click Change in the Virtual memory section.
Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
Select your system drive (usually C:), choose Custom size, and set:

Initial size: Equal to your RAM size in MB (e.g., 8192 MB for 8GB RAM)
Maximum size: 1.5 to 3 times your RAM size (e.g., 12288 MB to 24576 MB)

Click Set and then OK to save changes.

This adjustment helps your PC handle memory-intensive tasks more efficiently, reducing FPS drops.

Step 7: Use Windows Game Mode and GPU Scheduling

Windows 11 includes features designed to boost gaming performance.

Open Settings and go to Gaming > Game Mode.
Make sure Game Mode is turned on.
Next, go to Settings > System > Display > Graphics.
Enable Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling if available.

Game Mode prioritizes system resources for games, and GPU scheduling helps reduce latency and improve frame rates.

Alternative Methods and Advanced Options

If the basic steps don’t fully resolve FPS drops, consider these advanced options:

Rollback Windows Update: If problems started immediately after the Anniversary Update, you can uninstall it by going to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.
Clean Install Graphics Drivers: Use tools like Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to remove old drivers completely before reinstalling the latest ones.
Check for Malware: Run a full system scan to ensure no malware is affecting your system performance.
Adjust Registry Settings: Only for advanced users, tweaking certain registry keys can optimize performance but should be done carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why did my FPS drop after the Windows 11 Anniversary Update?

The update may have changed system settings, installed new drivers, or introduced compatibility issues with some hardware, causing reduced performance.

Is updating my graphics driver really necessary?

Yes, updated drivers ensure your hardware works optimally with the latest Windows version and games, fixing bugs and improving speed.

Can disabling fullscreen optimizations cause other issues?

Generally, no. It mostly improves game performance, but if you notice other problems, you can re-enable it anytime.

Will lowering game graphics settings reduce visual quality?

Yes, but it’s a trade-off for smoother gameplay. You can adjust settings gradually to find a balance between visuals and FPS.

How do I know if my PC’s hardware is the bottleneck?

Use tools like Task Manager or third-party software (e.g., MSI Afterburner) to monitor CPU, GPU, and RAM usage during gaming.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and still face FPS drops, consider the following:

Contact Microsoft Support: Visit the official Microsoft support site for assistance.
Visit your PC or GPU manufacturer’s support: They may have specific fixes or firmware updates.
Consider reinstalling Windows 11: As a last resort, a clean install can fix corrupted system files causing performance issues.
Upgrade hardware: If your system is older, hardware limitations might be causing low FPS, and an upgrade may be necessary.

Conclusion

FPS drops after the Windows 11 Anniversary Update are a common issue but usually fixable with a few simple steps. Start by updating your graphics drivers and adjusting power and game settings. Disabling fullscreen optimizations and managing background processes can also make a big difference.

For more stubborn cases, tweaking virtual memory and enabling Windows-specific gaming features often restore smooth performance. Always remember to keep your system updated and monitor your hardware health.

By following this guide in order, you can systematically improve your FPS and enjoy a better gaming experience on Windows 11.