Summary
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Low latency profile briefly boosts CPU to speed up booting, searching, and launching apps; Currently it only works on some PCs.
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Faster store downloads, search results after 2 characters, multi-app camera, audio sharing, and NPU monitoring are also part of this latest update.
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Microsoft fixed 206 security vulnerabilities in Windows 11, ranging from critical to serious.
Microsoft’s plan to fix Windows 11 has been in full swing for several weeks now. We have seen a remarkable rollback in AI Copilot integrationas well as confirmation that long-requested features such as the ability to reposition the taskbar, cleaner Windows Update implementations, a less busy Start menu, and a Control Panel update are on the way.
However, one of the most interesting updates coming to the operating system works entirely behind the scenes and has already arrived as part of Windows 11’s latest Tuesday patch (via neowin). In the Windows 11 Settings app, you will see the update as KB5094126 OS Builds 26200.8655 and 26100.8655.
Windows 11 Low Latency Profile is a special performance mode that aims to make the operating system snappier and more responsive by increasing the processor’s clock speed to the maximum during specific actions, such as launching apps, opening the Start menu, changing quick settings, and more. Then it slows down again to its normal speed until you perform one of those actions again.
Low latency profile seems to work only with some PCs
The only way to know if the feature is working is to check your CPU speed in Task Manager.
Details are somewhat scarce, and the update’s release notes don’t say much beyond “speeds up app launch and core shell experiences like the Start menu, Search, and Action Center.” At least now, Low Latency Profile appears to work only with those specific elements of Windows 11. It’s worth noting that Low Latency Mode may not be enabled on your PC by default, and the only way to know for sure if it’s running is to see a live view of your CPU speed in Task Manager (or a third-party app) to see if your device is experiencing a brief CPU spike. It seems that the feature is also designed only for specific PC models.
Other features of this update include downloads and installations from the Windows Store that no longer take forever. Windows Store downloads have always been painfully slow for me, so I definitely appreciate this update. Windows Search should also be faster because results will appear after you’ve typed just two characters.
Other updates include multi-app camera support, which lets you be on a Meet call while taking selfies (because everyone does that, right?), and Shared Audio, which lets Windows connect to two Bluetooth LE headsets or headphones. There are also new NPU monitoring tools in Task Manager if you own a PC with a dedicated AI chip.
Finally, Microsoft says it fixed 206 security vulnerabilities in Windows 11 ranging from critical to severe.
