Windows Update slows down computer.

Before the Update, my computer was super fast. Every application I opened showed up almost instantly. After the update, the same applications that used to show up instantly take a lot longer to show...
1) How do I disable Automatic Updates for Hardware/Drivers?
2) I think I uninstalled the updates I downloaded yesterday... But my computer still isn't at its normal speed. How do I get it to be fast again?

Edited by Iamazn, 03 February 2011 - 08:11 PM.

1. Your best option is to change the way how Windows updates are installed.
Go Start>Control Panel
Double click on "Windows updates".
Click "Change settings" in left pane.
Set updates to:
Check for updates but let me chose whether to download and install them
Indeed, updates for non-Microsoft devices through Windows updates should NOT be ever accepted.
Unfortunately, MS has a history of screwing those.

2. In Control Panel double click on "Programs & Features", then "View installed updates" in left pane.
From there you'll have an option to uninstall any update, you want.

3. See, if uninstalling last update(s) will help.

1. Your best option is to change the way how Windows updates are installed.
Go Start>Control Panel
Double click on "Windows updates".
Click "Change settings" in left pane.
Set updates to:
Check for updates but let me chose whether to download and install them
Indeed, updates for non-Microsoft devices through Windows updates should NOT be ever accepted.
Unfortunately, MS has a history of screwing those.

2. In Control Panel double click on "Programs & Features", then "View installed updates" in left pane.
From there you'll have an option to uninstall any update, you want.

3. See, if uninstalling last update(s) will help.

Uninstalled lastest updates, and after reboot, speed was a bit faster, but still not as fast as before (before yesterday).

OK, how do you measure computer speed and what exactly is slow?

Please, post some computer info:
- processor type, amount of RAM (hold Windows logo key , hit Pause/Break key)
- hard drive size/free space (open "My Computer", right click on hard drive letter, click "Properties")
- security programs in use (antivirus, firewall)

Edited by Broni, 03 February 2011 - 08:19 PM.

OK, how do you measure computer speed and what exactly is slow?

Please, post some computer info:
- processor type, amount of RAM (hold Windows logo key , hit Pause/Break key)
- hard drive size/free space (open "My Computer", right click on hard drive letter, click "Properties")
- security programs in use (antivirus, firewall)

My computer was really fast (when I opened something, it was almost instant). After the update, it was really slow. After removing the update, it was faster, but still not as fast as yesterday.
4GB RAM
2.1 GHz AMD Phenom X4 Processor. N950
Avira Free
250GB/450GB free.

Were there any non-MS updates among those, you just uninstalled?

When exactly did you install those updates?
Updates usually come on 2nd Tuesday every month.

Were there any non-MS updates among those, you just uninstalled?

When exactly did you install those updates?
Updates usually come on 2nd Tuesday every month.

Downloaded it yesterday (Computer was running super fast), but installed it today. (left computer on overnight)
How do I tell if there were any non-ms updates?

To view recently installed updates, navigate to Control Panel > System And Security > Windows Update. Then look towards the second text label under the update box. It should say "Updates Were Installed Yesterday at [Time]". Click on View Update History.

I'm little bit confused.
I assumed, you had Windows updates set to Auto, correct?
How come did you install some updates yesterday?
There were no updates yesterday.

I'm little bit confused.
I assumed, you had Windows updates set to Auto, correct?
How come did you install some updates yesterday?
There were no updates yesterday.

Windows Update was set so that it would Notify me, but I chose to download or update.

Go Start<All Programs>Windows Updates
Since you uninstalled some updates, those updates should be listed again.
See, if you have any non-Microsoft updates listed.

Go Start<All Programs>Windows Updates
Since you uninstalled some updates, those updates should be listed again.
See, if you have any non-Microsoft updates listed.

Looks like there's only Microsoft updates.

I suggest, you install them anyway.
You should be always current with Windows updates.
You may have some other issues.
Believe me, if it was some botched Windows update, Google would be buzzing about it.

After you do that.....

Go Start>Run (Start Search in Vista), type in:
msconfig
Click OK (hit Enter in Vista).

Click on Startup tab.
Click Disable all
IMPORTANT! In case of laptop, make sure, you do NOT disable any keyboard, or touchpad entries.

Click Services tab.
Put checkmark in Hide all Microsoft services
Click Disable all.

Click OK.
Restart computer in Normal Mode.

NOTE. If you use different firewall, than Windows firewall, turn Windows firewall on, just for this test, since your regular firewall won't be running.
If you use Windows firewall, you're fine.

Same slowness?