Very poor NVME Performance using latest Microsoft NVME driver on Samsung 990

Hello, I've recently been having very bad performance issues in Windows 11 with my Samsung 990 NVME. When I originally installed it in my Laptop about 9 months ago I had excellent performance and benchmarks in Windows 11 using CrystalMark and the Samsung Magician Software. Today I could barely edit a video and ran a benchmark and noticed my performance dropped significantly! Almost to the point where I couldn't even use the OS! I confirmed the issue is isolated to Windows 11 because when I booted into Linux I got the same/good benchmarks I had when I first installed the drive. I confirmed Trim is turned on in Windows 11. So, this issue is isolated to Windows since Linux still works fine.

I believe this issue started happening after I used CCleaner to update to the latest driver from 6/11/25. I have no way to roll this driver back and don't know how I can get the older driver that worked great!?? This driver has made my Windows 11 perform terrible and I can barely do anything as a result. I used Samsung Magician software and updated the firmware but the issue persist. I also confirmed Samsung does not make a drivers for this since they stopped making drivers after the 970.

Here's some screen shots of my driver in use that caused my problems

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And here's after I first installed this NVME into my Laptop back in October of last year when it worked excellent.


This is the terrible performance I'm getting with this new driver that CCleaner installed!


Diskmark (Terrible performance)


Also, I do not have VMD enabled in the BIOS and noticed if I enable that it says it will wipe the drive. I guess that's the only way I could use Intel RST drivers as an alternative.
Appreciate any help!

But be careful

What build of Windows 11 are you running? (Type winver in the search box.) 22621.5415 seems to be an old 22H2 version.

abactuon said:

But be careful

Recommended AHCI/RAID and NVMe Drivers

Preliminary notes: Many AHCI and RAID users are unsure or don’t even know, which AHCI/RAID driver will give them the best results regarding stability and performance. They either don’t have the time or are not interested to do intensive tests comparing the different types and versions of the...

winraid.level1techs.com

Click to expand...

Thanks for this info. However, I don't have a “IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers” section in Device manager for my Laptop. I managed to get this fixed. It was driving me nuts all day long! I was thinking I was going to have to re-install Windows while trying to retain my dual boot. What I managed to do is mount and old .pdb file from a backup I did with EaseUS backup from back in November. I then retrieved the original driver out of the Windows drivers directory and some other associated drivers. It was a PITA since no matter what I did in Windows (safeboot, command prompt as admin,etc) I could NOT over write the newer drivers. And when I tried to tell Windows to use the older driver(s) through Device Manager it would just say you're already running a new driver. BLAH/BLAH/BLAH! So, I copied the old drivers to my USB and booted into Linux, deleted the offending new drivers and put the old driver file back in it's place. Booted up and it's back on the old driver finally. And my benchmark is back up! That's the last time I trust CCleaner to update ANY storage drivers! I've been using CCleaner for driver updates forever and it's always worked great but I NEVER plan on updating this DRIVER!

Old Driver back.
Benchmark Good


However, my video editing software is still running like crap so not sure why. Something still might be off but my all my benchmarks (CrystalMark, Disk Mark, Samsung Magician) show MUCH better speeds so hopefully I'm good. Thanks

bobkn said:

What build of Windows 11 are you running? (Type winver in the search box.) 22621.5415 seems to be an old 22H2 version.

Click to expand...

I'm running this build. Thanks for any other input but I should be good now hopefully.

well done.

funny i have just finished checking in my duel boot Ubuntu 24.04 LTS system how to remove driver files in Windows.
looks like you beat me to it.

ps. i have had some very bad experiences with ccleaner and drivers in the past
thats why i have ccleaner blocked in the firewall as i just use ccleaner as a cleaner.

best of luck, Steve ..

I probably meant that, but whatever.

BOOSTEDI5 said:

I believe this issue started happening after I used CCleaner to update to the latest driver from 6/11/25. I have no way to roll this driver back

Click to expand...

When you were in Device Manager did you check to see if you had the option to rollback to the older driver? Unless CCleaner changed something you should of had that option.

Out of curiosity, I tested it on a KingstonNV2 drive (Phison version).
It seems to be a little better.

Winuser said:

When you were in Device Manager did you check to see if you had the option to rollback to the older driver? Unless CCleaner changed something you should of had that option.

Click to expand...

Yeah, for sure, no rollback option! I was stuck in a BIG way! I'm actually amazed I was able to find a solution since one did not appear to exist on the Internet.

BOOSTEDI5 said:

Yeah, for sure, no rollback option! I was stuck in a BIG way! I'm actually amazed I was able to find a solution since one did not appear to exist on the Internet.

Click to expand...

Ubuntu can be a very powerful tool in keeping Windows running
but there is also Driver Store Explorer which may of helped as well.

if you do use please use it with care.
best of luck, Steve ..