Windows 11 KB5089573 update released with performance improvements

WINDOWS 11 KB5089573 UPDATE RELEASED WITH PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS

OverviewMicrosoft released the KB5089573 preview cumulative update for Windows 11, covering versions 25H2 and 24H2. The update brings a collection of performance and reliability enhancements across the operating system, with a focus on smoother app launches, improved sign-in experiences, and more robust behavior on common daily tasks. As a non-security preview, KB5089573 is optional and designed to let IT admins and users test new features before they become part of next month’s Patch Tuesday cycle.

What’s included in KB5089573

• Performance boosts for core shell experiences: faster launches for apps, smoother operation of the Start Menu, Search, and the Action Center.
• Sign-in refinements: Windows Hello is emphasized as the default sign-in method whenever available on sign-in and lock screens. If a PIN is used three times in a row, the system will remain on PIN until a user switches sign-in methods.
• Reliability improvements: enhanced behavior in File Explorer, sign-in and lock screens, sign-in themes in Settings, and touch gesture handling on touchscreen devices.
• Resume from Modern Standby: improvements that reduce delays and glitches when waking a device from modern standby mode.
• Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-In Security: fewer unexpected blocks during authentication, leading to a more stable sign-in flow.

Builds and scope

• Devices on Windows 11 25H2 are upgraded to build 26200.8524.
• Devices on Windows 11 24H2 are upgraded to build 26100.8524.The update is delivered as part of the monthly preview channel, separate from the regular security-focused Patch Tuesday updates.

Key improvements highlighted

• Shared audio: a new capability that allows two people to listen to the same audio stream on a single PC, useful for collaborative work or shared media experiences.
• Task Manager clarity: on virtual machines, the CPU speed display in the Performance page is corrected to avoid inflated numbers after resuming from hibernation.
• Sensor reliability: improvements help reduce power drain caused by apps that keep the sensor hub powered unnecessarily, thereby benefiting battery life.
• HID and input battery life: the update optimizes the HID stack to extend battery life for devices that encounter failed HID connections, and bolsters power hygiene to prevent standby-related HID transfers from draining power.
• Secure Boot certificates: the update contributes to a broader deployment of new, high-confidence device targeting data to ensure devices receive Secure Boot certificates when appropriate. Certificates are rolled out after the system has demonstrated sufficient successful update activity, maintaining a controlled, phased rollout.
• Certificate refresh timeline: updated Secure Boot certificates are being deployed to replace older 2011 certificates with an expiration window in late June, aligning with security lifecycle expectations.

Security and deployment notes

• The KB5089573 update includes changes to bolster reliability and performance without introducing new security fixes. As with other preview updates, it should be treated as optional and installed by choice.
• Windows quality updates may now include broader targeting for devices eligible to automatically receive new Secure Boot certificates. Devices will receive these certificates only after meeting update-success criteria, ensuring a safer and orderly rollout.

Known considerations

• There is a known issue affecting Windows Server 2016 systems that can cause domain controller lookups to fail after installing a related May 2026 security update (KB5087537). This is separate from the KB5089573 preview but is part of the broader May 2026 update wave ecosystem and may influence planning for mixed environments.

How to install KB5089573

• Install via Microsoft Update Catalog by searching for KB5089573 and downloading the appropriate package for your system.
• Alternatively, open Settings, navigate to Windows Update, and choose “Check for Updates,” then select the option to download and install KB5089573 if it appears as an available optional update.
• Note that, as an optional update, you will be prompted to install it unless the system is configured to get the latest updates as soon as they’re available, in which case installation may occur automatically.

Why this matters for end users

• The update is designed to deliver tangible day-to-day performance improvements, particularly in areas that users interact with repeatedly, such as launching applications, searching for content, and using common UI elements like the Start Menu and Action Center.
• By making Windows Hello more consistently the default sign-in method and refining the sign-in process, the experience becomes more seamless for users who rely on biometric authentication or PIN-based access.
• Reliability enhancements across core features help reduce occasional hiccups when navigating the OS, editing settings, or using touch-enabled devices.

Installation notes for IT admins

• Since this is a preview release, testing in a controlled environment before broader deployment is advisable.
• Monitor for any regressions in device management tools and be prepared to coordinate a staged rollout ahead of the next Patch Tuesday cycle.
• Keep an eye on Secure Boot certificate updates as part of your device fleet management to ensure compliance with security baselines and to minimize disruption during certificate refresh events.

SummaryKB5089573 marks Microsoft’s ongoing effort to optimize Windows 11 performance and reliability through monthly preview updates. By accelerating core OS workflows, refining sign-in behavior, and tightening power and input security considerations, the update aims to deliver a smoother, more stable user experience on supported devices running both 25H2 and 24H2 branches. As with all preview releases, careful testing and phased deployment are recommended to maximize benefits while minimizing potential impact on mixed environments.