CPU utilization Archives

Winsage

March 7, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27808 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27808 has been released to the Canary Channel. There are no plans to release SDKs for the 27xxx series builds. A significant update to the Task Manager has been initiated, aligning CPU utilization metrics with industry standards, and a new optional CPU Utility column is available on the Details tab. Several fixes have been made, including resolving issues with popular games, printing bugs, blank search windows, Settings app crashes, inaccurate battery icon colors, and BitLocker performance. Known issues include a d3d9.dll crash affecting application launches and a warning for Copilot+ PCs transitioning to the Canary Channel regarding the loss of Windows Hello PIN and biometrics. Enhancements to the Microsoft Store include a new spotlight design and updates to the Downloads page. Insiders in the Canary Channel are reminded that builds may not correspond to specific releases and may evolve or be removed. A clean installation is required to exit the Canary Channel.

Winsage

March 7, 2025

Windows 11 Canary build 27808 is out with better CPU monitoring in Task Manager and more

Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel can download build 27808, which includes enhancements to CPU monitoring in Task Manager and various fixes for gaming, printing, search, graphics, BitLocker, and more. Notable updates include a change in how Task Manager calculates CPU utilization, aligning it with industry standards, and the introduction of an optional CPU Utility column on the Details tab. Fixes include: - Resolved a bug causing games like Roblox to crash upon launch. - Corrected a printing issue that triggered crashes in certain applications. - Fixed a glitch resulting in a blank search window in the taskbar. - Addressed a crash issue in Settings when adding a color profile. - Rectified inaccurate color displays in the battery icon. - Improved performance for loading BitLocker UI elements and fixed a looping issue with BitLocker. - Resolved an error with the Get-BitLockerVolume command. Known bugs include issues with Windows Hello PIN and biometrics for users transitioning from other channels, and ongoing investigations into a d3d9.dll crash affecting application launches.

Winsage

March 4, 2025

Windows 11 will soon fix the most confusing part of Task Manager

Microsoft released updates for Windows 11 Insider Builds, including Build 27802 for the Canary Channel and Builds 22635.5015 or 26120.3360 for the Beta Channel. Customizable lock screen widgets are now available to Windows Insiders in the European Economic Area (EEA), allowing users to add, remove, and rearrange widgets like Weather, Watchlist, Sports, and Traffic. A new group policy, "Disable Widgets On Lock Screen," enables IT administrators to disable these widgets on managed PCs, currently limited to EEA regions. Build 26120.3360 includes an updated Task Manager that calculates CPU utilization using standard metrics and introduces an optional CPU Utility column for those preferring the previous method. A new file sharing feature allows users to share files directly to apps from File Explorer or the desktop. Build 22635.5015 tests a new system tray icon for the emoji and more panel, enhancing discoverability and allowing customization through taskbar settings.

Winsage

March 3, 2025

Windows 11 will soon fix the most confusing part of Task Manager

Microsoft released updates for Windows 11 Insider Builds, including Build 27802 for the Canary Channel and Builds 22635.5015 and 26120.3360 for the Beta Channel. Customizable lock screen widgets have been introduced for Insiders in the European Economic Area (EEA), allowing users to manage widgets like Weather and Sports. A new group policy, “Disable Widgets On Lock Screen,” is also available for IT administrators to manage widget settings. The Task Manager has updated its CPU utilization calculations to align with industry standards, with an optional CPU Utility column added. A new feature allows users to share files directly to apps via right-click in File Explorer. Additionally, a new system tray icon is being tested for easier access to emojis and GIFs, with a keyboard shortcut (WIN + .) highlighted for user convenience.

Winsage

March 3, 2025

Microsoft is fixing Windows 11 Task Manager’s quirky reporting of CPU usage, and a much-wanted change for the lock screen is coming, too

Windows 11's new preview release, build 26120.3360, addresses inconsistencies in CPU usage reporting within Task Manager. Microsoft is standardizing CPU utilization calculations across the Processes, Performance, and Users pages to provide a consistent view of CPU performance. This change will be available in upcoming Windows 11 releases, 24H2 and 23H2. Users will still have the option to revert to the old CPU measurement method in the Details tab. Additionally, the preview build allows users in the European Economic Area to select which widgets to display on the lock screen, with plans for broader rollout in the future.

Winsage

March 3, 2025

It looks like Microsoft might have broken Windows 11 24H2 again as performance plummets with Intel’s latest CPUs

Users of Windows 11 24H2 have reported issues after installing patches KB5050094 and KB5051987, particularly affecting those with Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processors, leading to game crashes and performance slowdowns. One user experienced crashes while playing The Settlers: New Allies, and others noted widespread instability across applications. An affected user with an ASRock Z890 Pro RS motherboard faced difficulties getting their system running without a beta BIOS due to an Intel microcode update. Users observed significant performance drops when applications were minimized, with CPU clock rates throttled. Performance issues were replicated across multiple applications, including 7Zip and Prime95, with benchmarks showing halved performance when minimized. A workaround involves adjusting power settings, but no definitive fix is available. Users with AMD Ryzen 9 9950X or older Intel Core i9-12900K processors have not reported similar issues, suggesting problems may be specific to Intel's LGA 1851 platform. Additional issues with Windows 11 24H2 include increased advertising in the Settings menu, high CPU utilization, and a glitch causing interface language discrepancies. The patches are optional, allowing users to revert to a more stable version or reinstall Windows 11.

Winsage

March 3, 2025

Windows 11: Microsoft “improves” CPU display in Task Manager

Microsoft has updated the Task Manager in Windows 11 to improve the accuracy of CPU utilization readings by aligning its calculations with industry standards. This update addresses discrepancies between the Task Manager and third-party applications like HWINFO and MSI Afterburner. The new calculation model will standardize metrics in the “Processes,” “Performance,” and “User” sections. A new column titled “CPU Utility” will retain the old values for users accustomed to the previous calculations. The update is currently available in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3360 and is expected to be widely released with the upcoming 24H2 update, depending on any unforeseen bugs.

Winsage

March 2, 2025

Windows 11 Task Manager update will show accurate CPU utilization, align with industry standards

Microsoft has released the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3360 for the Dev and Beta Channels, which includes enhancements to the Task Manager. The Task Manager will now use standardized metrics to present CPU workload across all pages, improving the accuracy of CPU utilization readings in the Details tab. Previously, the Task Manager reported CPU performance based on base clock speed, leading to inaccuracies, such as CPU utilization figures exceeding 100%. Additionally, Microsoft updated how Task Manager reports RAM speeds from MHz to MT/s in May 2024.

Winsage

March 2, 2025

Windows 11 Newest Update Will Change The Way CPU Utilization Is Calculated; Will Now Be Consistent With Third-Party Tools

Microsoft is enhancing Task Manager in the upcoming Windows 11 update by introducing a standardized method for calculating CPU utilization. This update aims to align Task Manager's metrics with those of third-party tools, improving its effectiveness. The new calculation method will provide consistent CPU workload displays across the Processes, Performance, and Users pages, potentially reducing the need for external applications. An optional column labeled CPU Utility will be available for users who prefer the existing calculation method. These enhancements are part of the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3360, included in the 24H2 update.