Windows 11 Install Failed, PC Running Really Slow Now

Ensuring a Smooth Transition: Troubleshooting Windows 11 Installation Failures and Post-Update Performance Issues

Upgrading your operating system can be an exciting step towards leveraging new features and improved security; however, it sometimes presents unexpected challenges. If you’ve attempted to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 and encounter installation failures or subsequent performance problems, understanding the common issues and appropriate troubleshooting steps is essential. This article explores a typical scenario where a Windows 11 upgrade fails silently, and the PC begins to operate sluggishly, providing guidance on how to address these issues effectively.

Scenario Overview

Imagine a user attempting to upgrade a family member’s PC from Windows 10 to Windows 11. The update notification appeared in the Settings menu, prompting the user to proceed with the upgrade. After installing multiple pending updates along with the Windows 11 upgrade, the user rebooted the system. However, the upgrade did not seem to complete successfully—no warnings appeared, and upon restart, the PC continued to run Windows 10 as usual.

Unexpected Post-Update Symptoms

Following the attempted upgrade, several anomalies were observed:

Application Reinstalls and Sign-Outs: Popular applications like Google Chrome appeared signed out, with some extensions reinstalled or reset.
Missing Files: Numerous documents that were previously stored locally went missing.
Decreased System Performance: The PC became significantly slower, struggling to open applications such as Chrome, despite Task Manager indicating minimal CPU and memory usage.

These symptoms suggest the upgrade may not have completed correctly, leading to system inconsistencies and performance degradation.

Key Considerations and Troubleshooting Steps

Verify the Upgrade Status:
Confirm whether Windows 11 was installed successfully by navigating to Settings > System > About and checking the Windows edition and version.
Use the “System Information” tool (Win + R, type “msinfo32”) for detailed OS data.
Check for Partial Installation or Rollback:
Sometimes, systems revert to Windows 10 if the upgrade encounters issues. Review Windows Update history for any failed or pending updates.
Look for notifications about “Rollback” or “Reverting changes” during startup.
Assess System Integrity:
Run built-in tools such as System File Checker (sfc /scannow) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) commands to repair any corrupted system files.
Review Background Processes and Drivers:
Outdated or incompatible drivers