Nvidia confirms Windows 11 25H2, 24H2 replace is hurting gaming efficiency, releases a brand new driver

Nvidia says it’s conscious of a problem the place some video games may have “lower performance” after current Windows updates, and it’s rolling out a brand new show driver (model 581.94) to handle it.

Nvidia confirmed that when KB5066835 (October 2025 Update) or newer (KB5068861, November 2025 Update) is put in, a bug may cut back FPS. This concern was first noticed in our exams in October when the Patch Tuesday replace shipped, and Nvidia has lastly confirmed our reviews.

KB5066835 is a Patch Tuesday launch, and it’s mechanically utilized on PCs operating Windows 11 25H2 or 24H2 (these two are the identical platform, so that you’re affected regardless). Even in the event you skipped Windows 11 KB5066835 one way or the other, you’re nonetheless going to expertise efficiency points as a result of newer releases additionally embody these modifications.

How to verify if you’re affected by the Windows 11 25H2 / 24H2 gaming efficiency concern?

1. Open Settings > System > About.
2. Locate Device specs.
   
3. If the Build quantity is 26200.6899 (OS model 25H2) or newer and 26100.6899 (OS model 24H2) or newer, you’re affected. In my case, I’ve put in Build 22000.717, which is newer and sure affected.

It’s truthful to imagine that gaming efficiency points are largely remoted to GeForce drivers, as solely Nvidia has acknowledged the difficulty up to now. However, our exams beforehand confirmed that even AMD or Intel PCs may run into sluggish efficiency. Windows Latest understands that there might be two separate points affecting some PCs.

In a support document first noticed by Windows Latest, Nvidia says just some video games can have ‘lower performance,’ which may seek advice from decrease FPS, however we don’t know what number of video games are affected. We additionally don’t have a listing of affected video games, but it surely’s seemingly vital as a result of Nvidia has issued an emergency replace.

Download the GeForce Display Driver model 581.94 to repair efficiency points

Nvidia has printed Display Driver model 581.94, which you’ll be able to obtain from their website. This fixes all potential efficiency points.

Some customers instructed me that the driving force replace fixes a decrease FPU concern in video games like Assassin’s Creed: Shadows and CS2. On supported GPUs, you would possibly expertise smoother gameplay, however all different points with the Nvidia driver stay unresolved. For instance, the taskbar would possibly nonetheless immediately drive the show to drop to 60Hz with seen flicker on some PCs.

Recent Windows updates have been a hell of a journey

Once shortly, there are particular “cursed” updates that always break too many options, and the October 2025 Patch (KB5066835) is a kind of unlucky releases.

Localhost points

KB5066835 began rolling out on October 13, 2025, and as quickly as we put in the patch throughout our 100+ take a look at machines, we seen that it by accident broke localhost. Later, Microsoft confirmed our report and admitted {that a} bug affected HTTP.sys, which powers options like Internet Information (IIS). When IIS goes tough, localhost doesn’t work.

If you have been affected, you’ll have run into “Connection reset – error…” or different alerts in Edge or different regionally hosted apps. Localhost is generally utilized by builders or enterprises, and Microsoft shortly addressed this concern through a server-side patch.

BitLocker alert

The identical replace, which is inflicting efficiency points on Nvidia PCs, has additionally triggered BitLocker restoration on some PCs. This implies that affected customers have been requested to enter the restoration key, which is usually synced to their Microsoft account. However, those that didn’t have the restoration key have been required to wipe their drives and begin over once more.

Other points affecting Windows 11 since October 2025

In our exams, we discovered that Microsoft additionally broke WinRE (Windows Recovery), as we have been unable to make use of the mouse or keyboard throughout the restoration course of. That means it will be inconceivable to recuperate a pc if it’s caught on the restoration display until you’ve a PS keyboard/mouse.

After outrage, Microsoft issued an emergency replace for KB5070773 to patch WinRE issues.

Last however not least, the October 2025 Update additionally turns off the preview panel in File Explorer for web downloaded recordsdata, as a part of safety measures.

What about you?

The October 2025 Update has been a hell of a journey. On the opposite hand, the November 2025 Update has been comparatively calm, and we don’t count on Windows to run into issues in December 2025 or January 2026, as Microsoft’s builders can be away because of the holidays. Microsoft may also not launch elective updates in December 2025.

Over to you. How are current Windows updates treating your PC? Let me know within the feedback beneath.