Windows 11 updates now install much faster and use less CPU.

Microsoft has significantly improved the speed of Windows Update in its most recent major update to Windows 11. Version 24H2 began rolling out earlier this month, bringing several useful enhancements with it. It has now been revealed that this major update also reduces installation time, reboot time, and decreases CPU usage during Windows monthly updates.

Typically, Microsoft releases both security and non-security updates on a monthly basis, aiming to introduce new features or protect the system against recent threats. Windows 11 version 24H2 includes innovative methods for updating the operating system that enhance its efficiency and speed. This includes parallel processing of components, scalable use of the system's RAM, and an optimized cache for updating components.

Thanks to these modifications, Windows 11 version 24H2 can install monthly updates up to 45 percent faster while using up to 25 percent less CPU resources. Additionally, reboot time has been reduced by nearly 40 percent on some systems. Microsoft tested the latest maintenance updates for 24H2 on a virtual machine compared to the previous version 22H2 of Windows 11; however, the performance claims also apply to version 23H2, as both utilize the same older servicing framework.

Furthermore, the sizes of feature update downloads for Windows 11 have been optimized, achieving a reduction of approximately 200MB. This decrease has been achieved by not forcing the download of built-in applications for Windows 11, provided the latest versions are available. “For Windows 11, version 24H2, we expanded this design to include Microsoft Edge, saving approximately 200 MB on some devices,” comments Steve DiAcetis, a member of the Windows Fundamentals team at Microsoft.