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Microsoft is killing the Copilot+ PC advantage, brings Windows 11’s local AI to RTX 30+ PCs with 6GB vRAM

By ckasprzak | TkOut | June 11, 2026 | Microsoft Windows, Software
The Hot Take: Now we know why M$ is trying to squeeze out every ounce of performance in Windows 11.....

Microsoft says you’ll be able to run Windows 11’s local Language Model APIs on non-Copilot+ PCs as long as you meet the new hardware requirement: an RTX 30+ GPU with 6GB of VRAM. It’s a major change, as it means Copilot+ PCs’ advantages are getting “thin,” and I wouldn’t be surprised if Microsoft drops the NPU requirement entirely in the future. Copilot+ PCs officially debuted on June 18, 2024, and they’ve been driving sales for PC makers. However, it’s not because of the “Copilot” or “NPU” factor. It’s largely because newer PCs are now sold as “Copilot+ PCs,” so even a regular laptop purchase gets counted as proof that AI PCs are taking off. For a PC to meet the “Copilot+ PC” requirement, it would need to have 16GB of RAM, an SSD, and at least a 40 TOPS NPU. For those unaware, an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) is a chip designed to run AI models, specializing in efficiency rather than raw power. On the other hand, a GPU is a heavy-duty processor designed for massive parallel tasks. What is a “Copilot+ PC?” Microsoft sold you Copilot+ PCs as the only way to run local AI, but that was never…

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Microsoft just killed the slow Microsoft Store downloads in Windows 11, after years of throttling

By ckasprzak | TkOut | June 10, 2026 | Microsoft Windows, Software
The Hot Take: Well look at that, it's very interesting that Microsoft is suddenly knocking out all these windows 11 issues. Kinda like they're afraid Linux will take their user base.

The Windows 11 June 2026 Patch Tuesday update, KB5094126 brings Low Latency Profile, Shared Audio, Multi-App Camera, and a handful of other noteworthy changes. Buried deeper in the changelog, without much fanfare, are two improvements to the Microsoft Store, one addressing a long-standing download speed problem and another fixing a frustrating gap in error reporting for managed devices. Neither of these fixes will generate hype the way the CPU boost feature does. But for anyone who has watched a 500MB app update crawl through the Store for twenty minutes while the same file would download in under two minutes through a browser, at least one of them will feel this improvement was overdue. This feature is being rolled out gradually, and will be available to everyone in the coming weeks. Microsoft Store downloads were throttled for years, and the June update fixes it For a significant portion of Windows 11 users, downloading apps and updates from the Microsoft Store has been noticeably slower than downloading the same files from almost any other source. The Store would throttle to a fraction of the available connection speed, pause mid-download for no apparent reason, and occasionally get stuck in a pending state…

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Microsoft reveals Windows 11 will bulk delete files at least 30% faster, and it’s only the start

By ckasprzak | TkOut | June 10, 2026 | Microsoft Windows, Software
The Hot Take: What about that small file handling, any better on that yet?

Microsoft admitted that File Explorer on Windows 11 is slower than the previous version and is taking steps to make it faster, but the performance improvements extend beyond just UI surfaces. I’m told that Microsoft is internally testing a major performance boost for file operations, starting with batch deleting files. When you select dozens or hundreds of smaller files, or a few large files, and delete them all in one go, the speed depends on both the SSD/HDD and Windows. Windows file system overhead matters as well because the OS has to update NTFS entries, permissions, indexes, thumbnails, metadata, and a bunch of other items when you delete or bulk delete files. Of course, I’m not saying a faster Windows alone can magically purge files faster. Hardware still matters, especially the SSD’s random I/O speed when you’re dealing with many small files. But it’s also wrong to say the speed only comes down to SSD I/O. If Windows handles file operations more efficiently, bulk delete can still get noticeably faster. Microsoft also confirmed that a combination of hardware and software advancements could help make file operations faster on all PCs. According to Microsoft, bulk delete…

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Microsoft’s Windows 11 CPU boost is rolling out, and here’s how to enable it right now

By ckasprzak | TkOut | May 29, 2026 | Microsoft Windows, Software
The Hot Take: OH look at that, suddenly we're getting more performance out of windows. Like they were handy capping it or something to push lets say something like mid-range hardware of the ARM variety....

Microsoft recently released Windows 11 KB5089573 (Build 26200.8524) optional update, and buried inside the lengthy release notes is a major performance upgrade. While the company simply calls it a “[General Performance]” improvement, we know this is the highly anticipated CPU boost feature internally codenamed “Low Latency Profile.” According to the official changelog released on May 26, 2026, Microsoft notes: “[General Performance] This update accelerates app launch and core shell experiences such as Start menu, Search, and Action Center.” We already reported that Windows 11 Low Latency Mode is rolling out in June 2026 with the mandatory security update. But as we said, the CPU boost feature will be available in the optional May update as well, so if you’re eager enough to enable it, go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates and just select the update to install it. However, due to Microsoft’s Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) strategy, the new performance boost may not be activated straightaway even after you install the Windows 11 KB5089573 optional update. Your PC has definitely downloaded the underlying code, but Microsoft often keeps the activation switch turned off for a subset of users to monitor stability. Fortunately, you do not have to wait for Microsoft to flip the switch remotely. You can manually force the feature on right now using a popular third-party utility called ViveTool. Note: The Low Latency Profile currently only makes OS flyouts, such as the Start menu, Notification Center, right-click menu, and other areas, load faster. It does not allow your apps to launch faster. That change will roll out in the next update. How to enable Low Latency Profile in Windows 11 Before you proceed, you need to be sure you have already installed the May optional update. To verify if the May 2026 optional update is installed, open Settings > System > About, and check the build number. If it’s Build 26200.8524 / 26100.8524 or newer, you’re eligible for Low Latency Profile improvements. Also, the Low Latency Profile does not require any special hardware, but it’s more impactful on budget/low-end PCs. Now, follow these steps to activate Windows 11’s CPU boost feature: Get ViveTool by going to the official ViveTool GitHub repository and downloading the latest .zip release. Extract the contents to a convenient folder. For ease of use, I created a folder called ViveTool directly on my C drive and extracted the files there. Click the Start menu, type “cmd“, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. Type cd C:\ViveTool and press Enter. Type the following command to activate the feature and press Enter: vivetool /enable /id:58989092 Restart your PC to apply the changes. Note: The command uses /enable to turn the feature on. If you ever want to revert the changes, you can repeat the process using /disable instead. This only works for now, and once the feature officially becomes default on your device, you won’t be able to turn it off. Ideally, we shouldn’t have to enable features manually. Since Microsoft already has a vibrant Insider community, all testing should occur earlier, and deployment should begin now. Many users have complained that they still haven’t received features rolled out in the April 2026 updates. And since Low Latency Profile is, by definition, just a CPU boost, it should have already arrived by now. How do you verify if the Low Latency Profile is working? Windows 11 does not include a toggle to enable or disable the Low Latency Profile. Instead, the feature is enabled by default on all PCs once it rolls out with the May 2026 Update, or if you enable it using the bypass method mentioned above. As a result, the only way to verify that it’s working is by comparing performance before and after the feature is enabled. Check if the Start menu, Action Center, and Search load faster than before. We can’t rule out a placebo either, so you can also try checking CPU usage before and after Low Latency Profile is enabled: No CPU boost before Low Latency Profile is enabled: https://www.windowslatest.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Low-Latency-Profile-CPU-boost-feature-is-disabled.mp4 On the top right side of the screen recording, you can see that the CPU has not reached peak utilization while opening the Start menu or Action Center. I have checked it multiple times to be sure. After enabling Low Latency Profile using the bypass method given above, I opened the Start menu and Action Center: CPU utilization peaks while opening the Start menu after Low Latency Profile is enabled: https://www.windowslatest.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CPU-jumps-to-100-while-opening-Start-menu-after-enabling-Low-Latency-Profile.mp4   As you can see on the top right side, CPU utilization jumps to 100% in the P cores on my Intel Core i5 13420H, and then falls to normal levels in a second or two, which essentially confirms the presence of Low Latency Profile. CPU reaches 100% while opening the Action Center after Low Latency Profile is enabled: https://www.windowslatest.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CPU-Boost-while-using-Action-centre-after-enabling-Low-Latency-Profile.mp4 Here, too, you can see that the CPU utilization reaches 100% while opening the Action Center and then falls to normal levels almost immediately. I have done these tests several times, and after seeing the CPU boost for the Start menu and Action Center only after enabling the feature, it is clear that my system has Low Latency Profile enabled. Microsoft mentioned General Performance improvements to only the Start menu, Action Center, and Windows Search, so as of now, there is no speed boost while opening inbox apps or third-party apps. Hands-on: UI smoothness over raw speed (for now) I previously tested Low Latency Profile in a highly constrained environment, and the CPU Boost feature worked well enough that I felt it could make budget PCs usable. It was a dual-core virtual machine limited to 4GB of RAM. But even then, some actions felt surprisingly responsive because the OS was no longer waiting for the CPU to slowly ramp up to the required speeds. Before enabling Low Latency Profile CPU boost: https://www.windowslatest.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Before-Low-Latency-Profile-in-Windows-11.mp4 Yes, you have to be eagle-eyed enough to see the micro-strutters and occasional jitters. But it’s safe to say that most people have first-hand experience with the stuttery Start menu! But now, after running before-and-after screen recordings on a regular, full-powered daily-driver PC with this new May optional update, the results are slightly different, but I like it. After enabling Low Latency Profile CPU boost: https://www.windowslatest.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/After-Low-Latency-Profile-in-Windows-11.mp4 The changes may look minute in the screen-recording, but it is definitely noticeable in the real world. Opening the Start menu is less choppy than before. The Action Center glides onto the screen smoothly, and the notorious rendering delay when bringing up the right-click context menu looks to be significantly reduced. As the official release notes specifically highlight “core shell experiences,” it appears the Low Latency Profile is currently prioritizing OS fluidity over speeding up inbox or third-party app launches. Either way, since my regular PC wasn’t slow in the first place, it now feels more premium because of the extra smoothness. Also, I didn’t notice any heating or battery drain during my testing. The needless controversy behind Windows 11’s CPU boost When news of this CPU-spiking feature first broke, several users on social media heavily criticized Microsoft, claiming that artificially boosting the processor was a “lazy fix” to cover up poorly optimized code. Microsoft Copilot reaches 97% CPU However, Microsoft stepped in to clarify the engineering behind it, and we agree. Scott Hanselman defended the technology by explaining the concept of “Race to Sleep.” By instantly spiking the CPU to its maximum frequency for a brief 1 to 3 seconds during a UI interaction, the processor completes the heavy lifting in a fraction of the time, allowing it to return to its low-power idle state much faster. Hanselman pointed out that Apple uses similar hardware-level scheduling tricks on macOS to make the operating system feel buttery smooth. Because of this initial public backlash, it makes sense that Microsoft chose to quietly label the feature as “General Performance” in the changelog rather than explicitly announcing the “Low Latency Profile” by its internal codename or sharing specific speed improvement metrics. What’s next for Windows 11 performance improvements? Windows 11 desktop still hasn’t quite reached the flawless 120fps smoothness of modern-day smartphones. This update is a massive step in the right direction. And most importantly, this CPU boost is just one half of a much larger strategy. As Microsoft commits to native UI for Windows 11, the company is replacing heavy web frameworks with lightweight native code, including in the Start menu. So, when you combine native optimizations with the immediate power delivery of Low Latency Profile, pretty soon, Windows 11 will feel as fast and premium as we expect. The post Microsoft’s Windows 11 CPU boost is rolling out, and here’s how to enable it right now appeared first on Windows Latest

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Microsoft is killing SMS codes for Microsoft account sign-in, aggressively pushes passkeys on Windows 11

By ckasprzak | TkOut | May 20, 2026 | Microsoft Windows, Security, Software
The Hot Take: SMS/TXT is going to cause some pain for sure.

For years, typing in a six-digit code sent to your phone has been the universal standard for verifying your identity online. But that era is officially coming to an end in the Windows ecosystem. In a statement to Windows Latest, Microsoft independently confirmed that it’ll stop sending SMS codes for personal accounts. Now, first spotted by Windows Latest, Microsoft has officially announced that it is pulling the plug on SMS codes for personal accounts. According to a support document quietly published earlier this year, the company is actively phasing out text messages as a method for both two-factor authentication and account recovery. While the tech giant subtly hinted at this shift in a previous security advisory earlier this year, stating it was “committed to advancing security standards,” the newly released documentation explicitly confirms the end of SMS verification. Moving forward, Microsoft is forcing a transition to passwordless alternatives, mandating the use of passkeys, authenticator apps, and verified secondary email addresses. Why Microsoft is abandoning SMS authentication Redmond’s decision to kill off SMS verification comes down to the undeniable fact that text messages are no longer a secure way to protect your digital identity. In their official advisory, Microsoft states that “SMS-based authentication is now a leading source of fraud.” “Microsoft is committed to advancing security standards, and as such, we will start phasing out SMS as a method of authentication and account recovery for personal Microsoft accounts,” Microsoft noted in an advisory spotted by Windows Latest. “Microsoft believes that the future of authentication is passwordless, secure, and user-friendly.” Text messages were never designed with modern cybersecurity in mind. They are transmitted in plain text across vulnerable cellular networks, making them highly susceptible to interception. Furthermore, hackers frequently use SIM-swap attacks, a tactic where a malicious actor tricks your mobile carrier into transferring your phone number to a device they control. Once the transfer is complete, the hacker instantly receives all of your SMS two-factor authentication codes, allowing them to easily hijack your accounts. To combat this, Microsoft believes the future of account security is entirely passwordless. The company is replacing SMS with passkeys, which are a modern, phishing-resistant security standard. Unlike traditional passwords or text codes that can be intercepted, passkeys use your device’s built-in biometric hardware. When you sign in using a passkey, you authenticate your identity using Windows Hello facial recognition, a fingerprint scanner, or a localized device PIN. This creates a cryptographic key pair where the private key never leaves your physical hardware, rendering remote phishing attacks virtually impossible. Depending on your setup, passkeys can be device-bound, meaning the private key never leaves the physical hardware (like your laptop’s TPM chip), or they can be synced across your devices via services like Apple iCloud Keychain or Google Password Manager. This cross-device compatibility ensures that if you lose your phone, your verified email and synced passkeys will still allow you to recover your account safely. The problem of a forced passwordless transition On paper, eliminating vulnerable SMS codes in favor of biometric passkeys is an objective win for global cybersecurity. In my daily workflow, the passwordless ecosystem is genuinely fantastic. I use Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Password Manager, and the Microsoft Authenticator app across all my devices. Thanks to the IR camera on my Lenovo laptop, Windows Hello face recognition makes logging into my personal Microsoft account a breeze. However, Microsoft’s forced transition may cause significant headaches for power users. As a Windows Insider, I constantly spin up, configure, and manage new virtual machines (VMs) to test software builds. When I attempt to log into my Microsoft account within these isolated, nested environments, the passkey experience falls apart. Biometric hardware won’t be available on a VM, for obvious reasons, and I do not have access to security keys either. When trying to log in with passkeys via PIN, I’m always shown an error. In these highly technical, edge-case scenarios, requesting an SMS code was the ultimate, foolproof fallback. It just worked. Passwords and SMS codes are ubiquitous. Typing in a six-digit text code is an instinctive, habitual behavior for billions of people. To successfully change a deeply ingrained habit, the replacement technology must be utterly flawless across every conceivable scenario. Microsoft could drop the forced Microsoft account sign-in during Windows 11 setup; now that’s one less place where you’ll need to sign in!. Either way, Microsoft will soon begin prompting all personal account holders with a “Sign in faster with your face, fingerprint, or PIN” screen, urging them to set up a passkey and verify a backup email address. While losing the convenience of SMS codes may be a bitter pill to swallow for some, it is a necessary step to secure Windows 11 against modern threats. The post Microsoft is killing SMS codes for Microsoft account sign-in, aggressively pushes passkeys on Windows 11 appeared first on Windows Latest

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Windows 11 Update Changes Aim to Prevent GPU Driver Downgrades

By ckasprzak | TkOut | May 17, 2026 | Microsoft Windows, Software
The Hot Take: Well now, that definitely sucks it was doing that. No wonder people are moving to Linux!

Microsoft is reportedly preparing significant changes to how Windows 11 manages graphics driver installations through Windows Update. The update is intended to address a long-standing issue where the operating system could overwrite newer manually installed GPU drivers with older OEM-certified releases.

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