What KB5089573 Changes About Windows 11 Performance
The Windows 11 performance update KB5089573 is an optional system release that uses a new Low Latency Profile to speed up everyday actions like opening system menus, launching apps, and interacting with core interface elements so the operating system feels more responsive during normal use. According to Windows Central’s testing, system flyouts such as Start, search, and Action Center respond up to 70% faster, while app launches improve by around 40%. Microsoft describes the update as one that “accelerates app launch and core shell experiences such as Start menu, Search, and Action Center.” KB5089573 targets versions 25H2 and 24H2 and upgrades builds to 26200.8524 and 26100.8524. It is listed as an optional Windows 11 performance update for now but is expected to roll into a future mandatory cumulative release after broader testing and feedback from early adopters.
Inside Low Latency Profile: How Windows Cuts Interface Lag
Low Latency Profile is the core technology behind the KB5089573 Low Latency gains, and it changes how Windows 11 uses the CPU during short, interactive bursts. As reported by PCMag, the feature pushes the processor to its maximum boost frequency for roughly 1–3 seconds when users open apps or trigger shell components like the Start menu, search, or Action Center. This brief spike is enough to trim the hesitation that many people feel when opening menus or switching tasks, without keeping the CPU pinned at high clocks. For now, Microsoft says these Windows 11 speed improvements focus on native shell experiences rather than third‑party apps, with broader support promised in a future update. The company has framed this as part of its 2026 “crusade” to improve core performance after criticism that Windows 11 felt slower than earlier versions.
Real-World Experience: Where You’ll Notice the Speed Gains
In daily use, KB5089573’s Low Latency Profile aims to reduce the small delays that add up during a workday. Start menu and search open more quickly, Action Center appears with less stutter, and clipboard history pops up faster. Windows Search can now locate files with as few as two characters, so results surface earlier while you type. These faster app launches and snappier shell elements help Windows feel more immediate when jumping between tools or multitasking. File Explorer also benefits from reliability fixes, helping reduce freezes or slow folder views that can undermine perceived performance. Microsoft’s focus isn’t only raw speed; the update also targets excessive power drain and modern standby behavior, so laptops can feel both quicker and more efficient. Together, these changes show a shift from headline features to everyday usability improvements that people notice dozens of times per session.
Beyond Speed: Over 30 Fixes, AI Visibility, and Setup Tweaks
KB5089573 bundles more than 30 changes beyond Windows 11 speed improvements. Windows Hello now treats face and fingerprint login as the default sign‑in options, even if other methods were set earlier, while PIN entry behavior is adjusted after repeated attempts. Bluetooth Shared Audio (or audio sharing) arrives, allowing two Bluetooth LE Audio devices to listen to the same PC output at once. Task Manager gains expanded NPU monitoring so users can see neural processing workloads alongside CPU and GPU activity. Camera improvements enable multiple apps to use the same feed at once, which helps with conferencing or diagnostics. Setup has a quality‑of‑life change: you can choose a custom user folder name on the Device Name page instead of living with an auto‑generated one. There are also fixes for theme switching, input handling, and power issues that kept sensor hubs active during standby.
Rollout Limitations, Installation Issues, and How to Get It
Despite the promising numbers, not every system will feel faster the moment KB5089573 is installed. Microsoft is enabling the Low Latency Profile in stages, so the full benefits may appear weeks after you apply the update. Some users may also see installation rollbacks, a recurring problem Microsoft is trying to reduce by bundling Servicing Stack Updates with the cumulative package to improve reliability. Because the update is optional, it will not install automatically for most people. To get it today, you need to open Settings, go to Windows Update, and look under Advanced options for Optional updates, then choose to download and install the package. PCMag notes that advanced users can force early Low Latency activation with tools like ViVeTool, but for most, it is safer to wait until Microsoft enables the feature on their device through the standard rollout.