Windows 11 Accelerates with macOS-Inspired Speed Enhancements

Microsoft’s New Speed Boost Feature in Windows 11

Microsoft is currently experimenting with a new speed boost feature in Windows 11 aimed at enhancing app launch times and responsiveness in areas like the Start menu. Known as the “Low Latency Profile,” this feature temporarily increases CPU frequency to accelerate the performance of menus, flyouts, and applications, mirroring the approach taken by macOS.

Testers of Windows 11 have been testing this unannounced feature and have observed noticeable speed enhancements when launching File Explorer, the Start menu, as well as popular apps such as Outlook, Microsoft Store, and Paint.

Windows Central has reported that this new boost mode could lead to up to 40 percent faster app loading times for Microsoft’s own applications, and up to 70 percent faster speeds for the Start menu and context menus across Windows 11. While initial feedback appears positive, some critics have raised concerns about Microsoft’s use of CPU bursts to optimize its operating system, prompting a response from a Microsoft executive.

Scott Hanselman, the vice president overseeing CoreAI, GitHub, and Windows technical staff, defended Microsoft’s decision to implement speed boost changes in Windows 11. In a post on X, he highlighted that similar techniques are already employed in smartphones and that Microsoft is not engaging in unfair practices by temporarily boosting CPU speeds. This strategy is commonly used in macOS and Linux to dynamically adjust CPU performance to prioritize interactive tasks. Hanselman emphasized that Apple utilizes a similar approach and urged critics to embrace Microsoft’s efforts. “Let Windows cook,” he remarked.