Windows 11 24H2 introduces enhancements to the update process, including "checkpoint cumulative updates" to reduce the size of monthly update packages and improve overall PC performance. Key improvements include:
- Faster installation time: 45.6% faster on well-maintained devices and 43.6% faster on outdated devices.
- Reduced restart time: 39.7% faster on well-maintained devices and 33.5% faster on outdated devices.
- Lower CPU usage: 15.3% less on well-maintained devices and 25% less on outdated devices.
- Smaller feature updates: Approximately 200 MB reduction in download size, with conditional app downloads for only outdated or missing apps.
- Techniques used to accelerate updates include reverse and forward differentials, caching parsing results, and dynamic RAM allocation.
Comparative tests showed significant advancements in update efficiency, with improvements in both installation speed and resource usage. Microsoft has also separated store app updates from core system updates for a smaller overall footprint.