Microsoft has dropped an optional preview update for Windows 11 that promises to make everyday tasks feel noticeably faster. The May 2026 preview cumulative update, KB5089573, targets Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, pushing OS builds to 26100.8524 and 26200.8524 respectively. This non‑security release is packed with behind‑the‑scenes tuning aimed at reducing latency and improving responsiveness across the shell and core system components.

Early reports from testers who have grabbed the update through Windows Update (with the "Get the latest updates" toggle enabled) or from the Microsoft Update Catalog suggest that app launches feel snappier and the Start menu responds more instantly. Microsoft is focusing on what it calls a "low latency profile" – a set of internal optimizations that prioritize user‑interactive tasks over background services.

What’s inside KB5089573

The headline improvements revolve around three key areas: application launch performance, Start menu fluidity, and overall system responsiveness under load. While Microsoft hasn’t detailed every change in its official release notes, the update’s manifest and early insider teardowns point to enhancements in the Windows Thread Scheduler and memory‑management routines.

  • Low‑latency thread scheduling: A new scheduler policy reduces the time the CPU spends context‑switching when a foreground app needs resources. This translates to quicker cold starts for heavy applications like Photoshop, Visual Studio, or even everyday browsers.
  • Start menu animation tuning: The animation engine that renders live tiles, recent file lists, and search results has been reworked. The XAML framework now caches more frequent layouts, cutting the perceived lag when opening the Start menu or typing in its search box.
  • Disk I/O prioritization: The storage stack has been tweaked to give foreground processes higher I/O priority during app launches. Combined with the existing NVMe optimizations, this means apps load faster from SSDs, especially on systems with multiple drives.
  • Memory compression enhancements: The in‑memory compression engine now operates with a lighter CPU footprint, freeing up cycles for the foreground. This helps on devices with 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM, where Windows frequently compresses infrequently used pages.

Users who frequently run virtual desktops or snap windows will notice smoother animations and less flicker. The DWM (Desktop Window Manager) has been updated to better handle GDI and DirectX interop, reducing the stutter that sometimes occurs when dragging windows across monitors.

The low‑latency profile: more than a buzzword

Microsoft first teased a “low latency profile” at its 2026 hardware conference, describing it as a kernel‑mode enhancement that monitors system telemetry and dynamically adjusts power and performance parameters. With KB5089573, that profile is now active by default on compatible hardware (Intel 12th gen and newer, AMD Ryzen 5000 series and newer) when the Balanced or High Performance power plan is selected.

In practical terms, the system becomes more aggressive about maintaining high clock speeds during short bursts of user activity. For example, double‑clicking a document icon signals the CPU to boost within microseconds, whereas before the boost might have been delayed by a scheduler tick. The result is a measurable improvement in the time‑to‑responsiveness metric that Windows engineers track internally.

However, this does not mean your laptop will drain its battery drastically. The low‑latency profile cleverly distinguishes between genuine user input and automated tasks. So while launching an app triggers a quick ramp‑up, background indexing or Windows Update runs at normal efficiency cores on hybrid CPUs.

Known issues and caveats

No software update is flawless, and KB5089573 is a preview release. Microsoft’s own documentation flags a couple of known issues:

  • On some devices with Intel Smart Sound Technology (SST) drivers, audio may stutter when switching between applications rapidly. Microsoft is working with Intel on a driver fix; customers can work around this by disabling audio enhancements in the Sound control panel.
  • Older games that rely on DirectX 9 may exhibit minor texture flickering in full‑screen exclusive mode. Rolling back the graphics driver to a version before March 2026 is a temporary workaround.
  • The update cannot be uninstalled after applying the next regular cumulative update (as is standard with Windows cumulative updates).

Because this is an optional preview, it won’t automatically install unless you manually check for it. Organizations should test it in a pilot group before broad deployment, especially on systems that run latency‑sensitive manufacturing or trading applications.

How to get KB5089573

You can grab the update through the standard Windows Update path:

  1. Open Settings → Windows Update.
  2. Turn on the toggle “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available”.
  3. Click Check for updates. The preview should appear as an optional download.
  4. Click Download & install.

Alternatively, you can download the standalone .msu package from the Microsoft Update Catalog. This method is useful for air‑gapped systems or when troubleshooting.

After installation, the build number will update to 26100.8524 on version 24H2 or 26200.8524 on version 25H2. A restart is required.

Community early reactions

Since the update dropped, Windows enthusiasts on Reddit and the Windows Forum have been sharing their experiences. The consensus is broadly positive, though some power users remain skeptical of subjective “snappiness.”

One user on the forum, who goes by the handle TechMaven, posted measured benchmarks:

“I timed 10 consecutive cold launches of Affinity Photo before and after the update. Average launch time dropped from 4.2 seconds to 3.8 seconds. Not earth‑shattering, but consistent. The bigger difference is in the Start menu – it feels like it pops instantly now, no matter how much is going on in the background.”

Another user, SysAdm432, flagged that the low‑latency mode appears to lock the Performance frequency scaling governor to a slightly higher minimum frequency on their Ryzen 7 6800U laptop, costing about 15–20 minutes of battery life over a full workday. They said they’d prefer an opt‑out for on‑battery scenarios.

Gamers are reporting mixed results. While the overall desktop feels smoother, some have noticed micro‑stutters in games that are already CPU‑bound. It’s possible the aggressive CPU boosting diverts cycles away from the game’s main thread momentarily. Disabling the low‑latency mode via the hidden Windows Performance Options dialog (an advanced power setting) seems to resolve the stutter for those affected.

What this means for Windows 11 going forward

KB5089573 is a harbinger of Microsoft’s renewed focus on responsiveness. With Windows 12 still years away (if it even arrives), the company is polishing Windows 11 into a finely tuned workhorse. The low‑latency profile is expected to evolve further in future updates, possibly with per‑app profiles where users can mark certain applications for aggressive prioritization.

Insiders note that this update also lays the groundwork for the next feature update, codenamed “Booster,” which will introduce AI‑driven I/O pre‑fetching. That feature, currently in private Canary test, uses machine learning to predict which apps you’re likely to launch and pre‑loads their assets into RAM during idle periods. The disk I/O prioritization in KB5089573 is a necessary prerequisite for that capability.

For now, Windows 11 users who crave a more responsive desktop should install this preview. It’s a low‑risk update that brings concrete if subtle improvements. As always, backup your data before applying any preview patch.

Final take

The KB5089573 preview might not transform a sluggish PC into a speed demon, but it makes Windows 11 feel more cohesive. The cumulative effect of faster app launches, a telepathic‑feeling Start menu, and smoother multitasking is greater than the sum of its parts. It’s the kind of update that makes you smile when you realize you haven’t thought about performance in days.

If you’re running version 24H2 or 25H2, check for the update today. Your muscle memory will thank you.