Serious lag time, slow opening files after Mac 15.6.1 update.

Today 08/22/2025 I did the requested update on my Mac (M1 Max). Now I'm having serious lag issues with non-Apple applications. Examples:

1. Microsoft Office recent files do not initially appear, whereas before they did.
2. Applications slow to open.
3. When importing a file into an app I get the spinning beachball.
4. Dropbox suddenly updating hundreds of files and taking forever...it's not my internet speed.

What caused me to do the update was my screen suddenly had a different appearance/look to it. After update, I think it's back to normal. Haven't installed anything else in a long time.

No problems prior to update.