The most recent Windows 11 update has resulted in a slowdown of Intel's latest desktop processors.

      Microsoft's recent Windows 11 24H2 updates (KB5050094 and KB5051987) are leading to significant performance issues, particularly for users of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, as reported by Neowin. These updates affect CPU speeds when a program is minimized or not in focus. Conversely, older Intel processors do not seem to be impacted.

      Reports indicate that applications experience severe throttling, resulting in drastic drops in the CPU's clock rate and overall performance decline. Some users have turned to beta BIOS versions or adjusted power settings to maintain CPU effectiveness during background tasks. The slowdown of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is causing considerable frustration as these issues arise across various applications, including Prime95 and 7Zip. This implies that the performance problems linked to the 24H2 updates are not confined to a single application but are associated with KB 5050094 and KB5051987.

      A Windows 11 user noted that the performance of 7Zip's benchmark was halved when the program was minimized. Even though the workload was distributed across all 24 cores of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, the performance issues persisted. However, users with older processors, such as the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and the Intel Core i9-12900K, did not face similar difficulties. This suggests that the recent Windows 11 update issues may be restricted to Intel’s latest LGA 1851 platform. Despite reports of software crashes and incompatibilities, there is currently no indication that this problem is widespread.

      What's particularly intriguing about the Windows 11 performance issues is that the Intel Ultra 9 285K processor is included on Microsoft’s CPU support list for Windows 11. While this processor may not be among Intel's top models, it remains essential for Microsoft to address the issue promptly. Regarding a fix, Microsoft has yet to announce a solution, but it is hoped that the company will provide one soon.

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      Judy Sanhz is a writer for Digital Trends, covering all computing news and expressing a passion for various operating systems and devices.

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      Windows 11 can now be installed on unsupported systems, but there is a catch. Microsoft has begun allowing users to upgrade to Windows 11 on older hardware that does not meet the stringent requirements of the operating system. Initially established to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and security, these requirements—including the necessity for a TPM 2.0 chip and specific processor models—now come with a manual installation option for those wishing to use Windows 11 on unsupported machines.

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      Microsoft has officially extended support for the Recall AI feature to Copilot+ PCs equipped with Intel and AMD processors after addressing a series of issues. Previously, the Recall feature was available exclusively for Copilot+ PCs using Qualcomm processors as part of a November Windows 11 update, providing Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel access to the AI capability that "captures snapshots" of the PC for later reference.

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      Is Windows 11 giving you trouble? Here's a possible reason. The major 24H2 update for Windows 11 began a phased rollout in October and became available to more PCs on December 4, as noted by Windows Latest. To see if your PC is eligible for the update, go to the settings page and check for updates; if none are available for download yet, you will need to wait for subsequent phases of the rollout.

      However, being among the first to receive updates isn't always beneficial. It can take a considerable amount of time for a new Windows build to be deemed "stable," and currently, 24H2 has not achieved that status.