What KB5089573 Changes in Windows 11 Performance
The Windows 11 performance update KB5089573 is an optional system patch that introduces a Low Latency Profile to make shell elements and applications respond faster, delivering measurable gains in system flyouts and app launch times while also bundling reliability fixes and quality-of-life improvements. According to Windows Central’s testing, system flyouts such as Start, Search, and Action Center respond up to 70 percent faster, while app launches can be up to 40 percent quicker with the update in place. Microsoft positions KB5089573 as the first major release in its K2 initiative, which focuses on core responsiveness rather than new features. This means the headline change is not a new app or interface, but a reworked performance model aimed at reducing the sluggish feel many users reported. Alongside the speed gains, the update brings over two dozen tweaks that refine setup, authentication, hardware behavior, and management tools.
How the Low Latency Profile Delivers Speed Gains
Low Latency Profile is the engine behind the KB5089573 speed improvements, designed to make Windows 11 feel faster during common interactive tasks. It briefly grants short CPU bursts, typically one to three seconds, when users perform high-priority actions like opening the Start menu, triggering system flyouts, or launching apps. By front‑loading CPU resources at those moments, the system can reduce UI lag without permanently increasing processor load. Testing cited in the sources links this behavior to up to 70 percent faster menus and 40 percent faster app launches. Scott Hanselman describes the feature as Windows prioritizing interactive work so everyday tasks finish sooner. The approach does not aim to accelerate all workloads equally; instead, it targets the latency users perceive most, such as menu responsiveness and initial launch delays, while leaving long-running or background tasks largely unchanged.
Why Your PC Might Not Feel Faster Immediately
Even after installing the Windows 11 performance update, some users will not see faster app launches or menus right away. KB5089573 arrives as an optional preview through Windows Update and the Update Catalog, so users must either select it under Optional updates or enable the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle. Beyond that, Microsoft is applying a Controlled Feature Rollout, which separates feature activation from the base update. In practice, that means the Low Latency Profile switch can remain off on eligible systems for days or weeks, or activate partially so menus speed up before apps do. Some advanced users bypass this delay by forcing the feature with ViveTool and command id 58989092, but Microsoft treats that as an unofficial workaround. For most people, the safer path is to wait for the automatic Low Latency Profile activation on their specific configuration.
Additional Features Bundled with KB5089573
While faster app launches and menus lead the messaging, KB5089573 includes around 30 other improvements that affect daily Windows 11 use. Windows Hello now keeps face or fingerprint as the default sign-in method, even if users previously chose another option, and sticks with PIN entry after three failed attempts until changed manually. Bluetooth audio sharing arrives via Bluetooth LE Audio broadcast, allowing two listeners to share the same PC audio stream at once on supported hardware. Setup gains a long-requested option to choose a custom user folder name on the Device Name page. On the hardware side, displays connected via USB4 docks should resume more reliably from standby, and USB3 stack recovery is improved for unexpected faults. Task Manager adds expanded NPU monitoring, Dev Drive creation accepts sizes in gigabytes, Windows Search can find files from two-character queries, and clipboard history opens faster.