Trending Now - Windows 11 Set to Receive Major Performance Enhancements

WHO:

CNET - Microsoft is the organization involved in the development of Windows 11.

The Verge - Scott Hanselman is the vice president of technical staff for CoreAI, GitHub, and Windows.

WHAT:

The Verge - Windows 11 testers have been trying out the new unannounced "Low Latency Profile" feature over the past week, noticing significant speed improvements launching File Explorer, the Start menu, and apps like Outlook, the Microsoft Store, and Paint.

The Verge - The new boost mode can result in up to 40 percent faster app launch times for Microsoft’s own apps and up to 70 percent faster for the Start menu and context menus throughout Windows 11.

CNET - A new feature called "Low Latency Profile" is rumored to be included in the upcoming Windows 11 update.

The Verge - The "Low Latency Profile" feature is designed to improve app launch times and responsiveness of the Start menu.

The Verge - Early testing shows up to 40 percent faster app launch times for Microsoft’s own apps and up to 70 percent faster for the Start menu and context menus.

WHY:

The Verge - The speed boost is part of broader changes aimed at improving performance, reliability, and user experience in Windows 11.

The Verge - Some online commentators criticized Microsoft for the method of using CPU bursts, prompting a response from a Microsoft executive.

HOW:

The Verge - Microsoft is using a common practice to dynamically scale a CPU to prioritize interactive tasks, similar to methods used by macOS and Linux.

The Verge - The "Low Latency Profile" feature ramps up CPU frequency in short bursts to enhance speed for high-priority tasks, similar to methods used by macOS and Linux.

The Verge - Scott Hanselman defended the use of CPU bursts, stating that it is a common practice and that "your smartphone already does this."

(UPDATED May 11, 2026 23:19 UTC)

Windows 11 testers have been experiencing a new feature called "Low Latency Profile," which has shown impressive speed improvements when launching key applications like File Explorer, Outlook, and the Microsoft Store. This boost mode can lead to app launch times that are up to 40 percent faster for Microsoft’s own apps and an astonishing 70 percent quicker for the Start menu and context menus. Microsoft is implementing this enhancement by dynamically scaling the CPU to prioritize interactive tasks, a technique that mirrors practices used in macOS and Linux.

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(UPDATED May 11, 2026 21:24 UTC)

Microsoft is set to introduce a new feature called "Low Latency Profile" in an upcoming update for Windows 11, which aims to enhance app launch times and the responsiveness of the Start menu. Early testing indicates that this feature could lead to app launch times being up to 40 percent faster for Microsoft’s own applications and up to 70 percent faster for the Start menu and context menus. Scott Hanselman, the vice president of technical staff for CoreAI, GitHub, and Windows, defended the use of CPU bursts to achieve these speed improvements, noting that this technique is already common in smartphones.