New Windows update ruins Nvidia GeForce GPU performance – reports claim
Windows 11 Update KB5074109 reportedly nerfs Nvidia’s gaming performance
Windows 11’s update KB5074109 has arrived, and it is controversial. While the new Windows update delivers a huge number of security updates, users have reported lowered gaming performance on Nvidia graphics cards.
Update KB5074109 should have been a good update for Windows users. 114 security vulnerabilities have been addressed by this update. This makes this update critical for anyone who takes security seriously. It also fixes a bug on PCs with NPUs, improving the battery life of so-called “AI PCs”.
Following the release of this update, several GeForce GPU users have reported drops in gaming performance. One user reported FPS drops of 15-20 FPS. By using a pre-update system restore point, this user reportedly restored their system’s lost performance. So far, almost all users reporting performance issues use Nvidia graphics cards. However, it is possible that users of other GPUs are affected.
Warning Critical Issues and Reported Bugs
Despite the improvements, this update has caused severe problems for specific user groups.
- Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Failure: This is the most critical issue. Users report a fatal authentication failure with error code 0x8008005 when trying to connect via AVD. This completely halts workflows for professionals who rely on this service. The only current workaround is to uninstall the update.
- Gaming Performance Drops: Numerous users 1 2, particularly those with NVIDIA graphics cards, have reported a significant drop in gaming performance, with frame rates decreasing by approximately 20 FPS after installation.
- USB Formatting Bug: A strange issue has emerged where Windows may fail to format USB flash drives with the FAT32 file system.
– Report by TechnetBooks
This is not the first time that a Windows update has harmed the gaming performance of many PCs. Windows 11’s October 2025 update is infamous for lowering the performance of Nvidia GPUs in some games. It is currently unknown what the exact cause of KB5074109’s performance issues is, or if it can be fixed with a driver update.
Microsoft recently claimed it is working on the “performance fundamentals” of Windows 11. Clearly, Microsoft has a lot of work to do to make Windows faster and more efficient.
You can join the discussion on Windows 11’s newest security update reportedly lowering game performance on the OC3D Forums.
