Microsoft is testing a revolutionary feature in Windows 11 ( Low Latency Profile ), which promises to dramatically improve app launch speed and system responsiveness . The new technology temporarily increases CPU frequency in “short bursts,” similar to how Apple ’s macOS works . Early tests show impressive results, with improvements of up to 70% in Start menu speed . The feature represents a major strategic move by Microsoft to address long-standing criticisms about the responsiveness of the Windows desktop .
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Windows 11: Technical details and performance of Low Latency Profile
Windows Insider testers , who have had access to the feature since last week , are reporting significant improvements in launching File Explorer , the Start menu , and apps like Outlook , the Microsoft Store , and Paint . According to data from Windows Central , the new feature can speed up the launch of Microsoft apps by up to 40% , while the Start menu and context menus can be improved by up to 70% . These measurements come from testing on various hardware configurations.
The technology works by temporarily increasing the CPU frequency when the user interacts with menus, flyouts, or launches applications. This approach is not new in the operating system world – macOS uses a similar technique, while various Linux implement low-latency kernels for improved responsiveness.
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The Low Latency Profile feature is part of the broader changes Microsoft is introducing in Windows 11. The technology aims to improve the perceived speed of the system without significantly affecting battery consumption or overall system performance.
Some have criticized the tactic Microsoft uses to boost speed in Windows 11 (increasing CPU frequency in “short bursts”).
Scott Hanselman, vice president of engineering for CoreAI, GitHub , and Windows, defended the changes in a response to X (formerly Twitter): “Your smartphone already does this,” and explained that Microsoft is not “cheating” but is implementing a common practice that macOS and Linux for a long time. Hanselman also emphasized that the technology is especially effective when combined with new AI in Windows 11, such as Windows Copilot, which can predict the user’s needs and prepare the system accordingly.
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Market impact and future developments
The introduction of the Low Latency Profile is part of Microsoft to close the performance gap with macOS, particularly in the area of interface responsiveness. With 72% of the global desktop operating system, improving the user experience is a critical competitive factor.
According to The Verge's initial report, the new feature represents a significant evolution in the way Windows manages system performance, with a potential impact that extends beyond simply improving speed, affecting the entire user experience in the future of personal computing.
