Microsoft is rolling out a significant update to Windows 11 that promises a more comprehensive way of measuring CPU utilization through Task Manager, aligning its functionality with popular third-party tools.
Enhanced CPU Monitoring with Windows 11 Task Manager Update
In response to feedback about its current performance insights, Microsoft is enhancing Task Manager’s CPU display metrics. With the new update, Task Manager will adopt an improved method to calculate CPU usage, similar to third-party applications, allowing users to get more accurate performance data directly from Windows. This update is set to make Task Manager much more effective than before.
Microsoft states, “We are beginning to roll out a change to the way Task Manager calculates CPU utilization for the Processes, Performance, and Users pages. Task Manager will now use the standard metrics to display CPU workload consistently across all pages and align with industry standards and third-party tools.”
Although the specifics of the updated calculation method aren’t fully laid out, it’s clear that the synchronization across all Task Manager pages—from Processes to Performance and Users—will provide a consistent view that matches what you’d typically see in other third-party tools. This eliminates discrepancies and enhances native CPU monitoring capabilities. So instead of relying on apps like HWINFO, users may find that Task Manager alone suffices, though we’ll have to wait a bit longer to see its impact once the update is available.
In addition, Microsoft is considerate of users who prefer the existing method. They’ve added a new optional column labeled CPU Utility on the "Details" tab, ensuring backward compatibility remains straightforward. These updates are currently part of the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3360 within the 24H2 update. Microsoft plans for a gradual rollout, aiming to enhance user experience steadily.
This development showcases Microsoft’s dedication to refining user experiences, ensuring that the native tools within Windows 11 meet or even exceed user expectations.
