If you're seeing unexplained stuttering while gaming, you may want to roll back the latest Windows 11 update

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The documentation of Microsoft's known issues in Windows 11 version 22H2 has been updated to include "lower than expected performance in some games." Specifically, impacted games will experience stuttering or large framerate drops, with some users reporting screen tearing as well. Microsoft states that "affected games and apps are inadvertently enabling GPU performance debugging features not meant to be used by consumers."

So this is a function of Windows 11 meant for developers to use when optimizing games, and somehow games are going into this mode independent of user input. The issue is present in version 22H2, but you shouldn't rush to roll back the update unless you're experiencing those distinct graphical glitches and have ruled out other potential culprits. I've had 22H2 installed since the end of September, and haven't run into anything like what's been reported by Windows Central or members of the PC gaming subreddit.

If you are experiencing issues like precipitous frame rate drops that occur independent of heavy onscreen action, Microsoft suggests "updating your games and gaming related apps to the latest version available." Alternatively, you can revert to the previous version of Windows 11 by going to your system settings, scrolling down to "Recovery," and selecting the option to roll back the update.

This option does disappear a certain amount of time after a system has updated⁠—it's not clear to me exactly how long, but similar previous rollback options from Microsoft have had a 10-day limit. If you're already out of the menu-based recovery window, the situation's a bit tricker. You'll have to revert to a recovery image (if you had the foresight to make one) or else make a clean install of Windows.

Ted has been thinking about PC games and bothering anyone who would listen with his thoughts on them ever since he booted up his sister's copy of Neverwinter Nights on the family computer. He is obsessed with all things CRPG and CRPG-adjacent, but has also covered esports, modding, and rare game collecting. When he's not playing or writing about games, you can find Ted lifting weights on his back porch. You can follow Ted on Bluesky.