Windows Update KB5077241 February 2026 Performance Warnings and Hardware Analysis
When faced with the prompt to install the February 2026 update (KB5077241) on older hardware, users are advised to pause and reconsider. Marketed by Microsoft as a feature update for the 24H2 and 25H2 versions, this 4.5GB patch harbors significant technical conflicts that could severely impair the performance of older laptops and desktops. The update’s imposition of local AI models onto devices lacking a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) can lead to unwieldy system bloat and instability.
Particularly concerning are the implications for users with outdated Nvidia graphics cards. The KB5077241 update has been linked to major driver conflicts with the following Nvidia series:
- Nvidia 900 Series (Maxwell): Users report issues such as game stuttering and frequent screen flickering.
- Nvidia 1000 Series (Pascal): Critical problems arise, including “winking” displays and, in some instances, complete system failure to boot.
For those relying on these GPUs, it is prudent to delay the update until a stable patch is anticipated around March 10th.
The update also introduces a critical software flaw that prevents Task Manager from accurately displaying CPU usage at 0%, even under maximum load. All system processes report 0% utilization, leading to misleading information while fans operate at full capacity. This issue hinders system health monitoring and complicates the identification of resource-hungry applications.
Installation hurdles are also prevalent, with many users encountering Error 0x800F0983. The installation process may continue until it reaches 100%, at which point users must delete all previous update cache files. Following this, running DISM and SFC repair tools via Command Prompt is necessary to address the corruption.
Utilizing Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR), Microsoft manages the distribution of features within this update. However, many features remain locked due to server-side switches. Notable additions include:
- Taskbar Speed Test: A shortcut for a Bing-based internet speed test (requires Edge).
- Sysmon Security: Built-in monitoring for suspicious system processes.
- Improved Sleep/Wake: Enhanced response times when opening a laptop lid, effectively resolving previous “black screen” issues.
- WebP Wallpapers: Native support for setting .webp images as desktop backgrounds.
For users who have installed the update but find the new features absent, enabling them through ViVeTool is possible, albeit with careful execution of the following steps:
- Download ViVeTool from GitHub and extract it to a folder named “ViVe” on your C: drive.
- Open Command Prompt (CMD) as Administrator.
- Type cd C:ViVe and press Enter.
- Input the specific activation command provided by the tool documentation for KB5077241 and press Enter.
- Restart your PC; note that features will only appear after a complete system restart.
While the update enhances Sleep/Wake performance for users with modern PCs equipped with dedicated NPUs, those in the legacy community, particularly owners of GTX 900 or 1000 series cards, should steer clear of KB5077241. The GPU flickering and Task Manager reporting errors necessitate Microsoft’s acknowledgment before users consider undertaking the manual update process.
