What the KB5089573 Update Changes in Windows 11
The KB5089573 update for Windows 11 is an optional preview release that focuses on faster app launches, lower latency system flyouts, and smoother core shell interactions such as Start, Search, and Action Center, forming the first big public step in Microsoft’s new K2 performance initiative to make the operating system feel more responsive in everyday use. According to Microsoft’s changelog, the update “accelerates app launch and core shell experiences such as Start menu, Search, and Action Center.” Windows Central’s testing confirms that system flyouts, like quick settings and notification toasts, now open up to 70 percent faster, while app launch times improve by around 40 percent. These gains target long‑standing complaints that Windows 11 felt slower than previous versions, shifting attention from adding features to improving baseline responsiveness and UI fluidity across the desktop.
Under the Hood: Low Latency Profiles and Shell Optimizations
The KB5089573 update is tied to Microsoft’s K2 initiative, which focuses on foundational performance rather than surface‑level tweaks. At the center of this release is a new Low Latency Profile system that gradually rolls out after installation. Instead of one sweeping change, Microsoft is enabling performance profiles over time, so some users may notice the Windows 11 performance boost days or even weeks later. These profiles fine‑tune how the shell schedules work, prioritizing system flyouts and Start menu rendering so that interface elements draw and respond faster. Microsoft also refined background behavior for Search, Action Center, and other core shell components, cutting UI delays that made Windows 11 feel sluggish. This under‑the‑hood work explains why everyday actions like opening quick settings, searching for an app, or dismissing notifications feel snappier even though visual design remains the same.
Beyond Speed: Quality-of-Life Improvements in KB5089573
While system flyouts speed and app launch faster behavior are the headline items, KB5089573 also includes about 30 reliability and quality-of-life changes. Windows Hello now keeps face or fingerprint sign‑in as the default even if users previously picked a different method, making biometric login more consistent. If someone enters their PIN three times in a row, Windows sticks with PIN until the user switches back, preventing frequent sign‑in method prompts. Bluetooth audio sharing arrives through Bluetooth LE Audio broadcast, allowing two people to listen to the same PC audio at once. During Windows Setup, users can now pick a custom user folder name from the Device Name page, a long‑requested tweak. On the hardware side, displays connected through USB4 docks should wake more reliably, USB3 stack recovery is more tolerant of hardware faults, and power handling tweaks reduce battery drain from sensor hubs during standby.
New Tools for Power Users and Security Enhancements
Power users and developers get several meaningful improvements through the KB5089573 update. Task Manager now offers expanded NPU monitoring, displaying neural engines integrated into the GPU on the Performance page so users can track AI‑related workloads more easily. Dev Drive creation has been refined to accept drive sizes entered in gigabytes instead of only megabytes, simplifying configuration of performance‑tuned storage for development tasks. Windows Search becomes more flexible, able to find files using as few as two characters, while clipboard history opens faster and Task Scheduler now remembers column width adjustments between sessions, trimming friction in daily workflows. On the security side, Microsoft improves the rollout of new Secure Boot certificates by using better targeting data, helping more eligible devices receive replacements for the 2011 certificates that are set to expire in late June, reducing the risk of boot issues later.
How to Install KB5089573 and Verify Performance Gains
Because KB5089573 is an optional preview update, it does not install automatically for everyone. Users can find it under Windows Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates, or by enabling the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” toggle for automatic delivery ahead of the next Patch Tuesday. To check whether the Windows 11 performance boost shows up on a specific PC, users can time how long Start, Search, and quick settings flyouts take to appear before and after installation, or measure how quickly frequently used apps open. Tools like Task Manager’s Performance tab can help confirm smoother system behavior, while the faster clipboard history, more responsive Windows Search, and consistent Windows Hello sign‑ins provide practical signs that the Low Latency Profile features have activated and the system is benefiting from the shell and app launch improvements.