Office Performance Issues

Fix Microsoft Office 2016 Freezing or Running Slowly After Windows Update

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user is experiencing severe performance degradation and unresponsiveness in Microsoft Office 2016 following a recent Windows operating system update.

Product: Microsoft Office 2016
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to use Microsoft Office applications immediately after installing new Windows system updates.
Observed behavior: Office 2016 programs run noticeably slower, become completely unresponsive, or freeze unexpectedly during normal operation.

Before you start

Make sure to save your current work and close all open Office applications. You may also want to verify that you have your Microsoft Office product key or account credentials available in case a full reinstallation is required.

Solution 1Recommended

Uninstall the Recent Windows Update

If the performance issues started immediately after an update, rolling back that specific Windows update is the most direct way to resolve the software conflict.

Sometimes new system updates introduce compatibility bugs with older software versions like Office 2016. Removing the latest patch can temporarily bypass the issue until Microsoft releases a permanent fix.

Open Windows Settings

Click the Start menu and select the gear icon to open your Windows Settings, then click on Update & Security.

Access Update History

Navigate to the Windows Update tab on the left sidebar and click on 'View update history'.

Uninstall the Update

Click on 'Uninstall updates' at the top of the page. In the new window, locate the most recently installed update under the Microsoft Windows section, right-click it, and select 'Uninstall'.

Temporarily Pause Updates: After uninstalling the problematic update, consider pausing Windows updates for 7 days in the Settings menu to prevent it from automatically reinstalling immediately.

Solution 2

Repair the Microsoft Office Installation

Windows updates can occasionally corrupt shared application files, which a quick built-in repair tool can easily resolve.

Solution 3

Reinstall Microsoft Office 2016

If uninstalling updates and repairing the software do not work, performing a clean reinstallation will replace all core files and resolve deep-seated corruption.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Faster, Freeze-Free Experience

If Microsoft Office 2016 continues to struggle with performance issues or compatibility bugs on your Windows system, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a highly optimized, lightweight alternative that runs smoothly even on older hardware and avoids the bloated update issues common in older suites.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and click the download button to get the free installation package.
2. Install Quickly: Run the installer. The lightweight design ensures it installs in just a few minutes without slowing down your PC.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files with perfect formatting preservation.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptxExtremely lightweight and consumes minimal system resourcesFree to download and use with a highly familiar user interfaceFewer background update conflicts ensuring stable daily performance

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a Windows update cause Office 2016 to freeze?

Windows updates can occasionally introduce system changes, alter core device drivers, or inadvertently corrupt shared registry files that older software versions like Office 2016 rely on to function properly.

Will repairing Office 2016 delete my documents or emails?

No. Running the built-in repair tool from the Windows Control Panel only replaces or fixes the application's program files. Your personal documents, spreadsheets, and Outlook data files will remain completely untouched.

What should I do if uninstalling the Windows update doesn't fix the lag?

If rolling back the update does not resolve the issue, try disabling hardware graphics acceleration within the Office applications by going to File > Options > Advanced. If that fails, proceed with a full online repair or a clean reinstallation.

Is Microsoft still releasing bug fixes for Office 2016?

Microsoft Office 2016 is currently in its extended support phase. This means it only receives critical security updates, but it no longer receives active feature updates or targeted performance optimizations for newer Windows builds.

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