Windows 11’s persistent issues continue with the latest update, version KB5074109 which was rumored to have brought with it performance regressions for Nvidia GPUs.
While performance regressions shouldn’t really surprise anyone using Windows 11 in modern times, what should alert you is the fact that Nvidia has recently confirmed the same, which does not bode well for Windows users.
In a way, this narrows down the performance gap between Windows and Linux for Nvidia users, even if the method was rather unintentional.
Nvidia Confirms Performance Regressions With Windows January 2026 Patch
Nvidia has confirmed that the Windows 11 update KB5074109 has introduced some kind of performance regression with it, resulting in its GPUs exhibiting lesser rendered frames than usual.
This was spotted by users across the Nvidia forums, where an Nvidia spokesperson Manuel came along to prove everyone’s suspicions correct. The only way to fix it happens to be uninstalling KB5074109, which is out of reach for most people.
Uninstalling components is not something a beginner can (or should be expected) to do, and it’s amazing how many ‘band aid’ fixes are required for keeping Windows up and running.
Microsoft is no stranger to performance regressions, and the encroachment of forced AI code into the system has made it unbearably buggy and unreliable to drive daily. With Windows 11 being encroached with adverts, online only shenanigans and the occasional weird glitch that causes it to become entirely unusable, now might be a good time for many to jump into alternative operating systems.
Linux is a particularly enticing choice, and Nvidia cards are a lot more approachable on the system than you’d think.
Interestingly enough, Linux has always lagged behind in terms of performance against Windows for Nvidia cards, but this particular update brings the gap closer than ever before in a massive slip up.
