Windows 11 24H2 is the latest iteration from Microsoft, promising enhanced features and improved user experience. However, recent reports and user experiences suggest that it may not be all smooth sailing. A detailed performance comparison between Windows 11 24H2 and its predecessor, version 23H2, has raised some eyebrows. While the majority of test data exhibited only minor variances, certain user experiences and subsequent updates have hinted at deeper issues.
Technical Analysis: What’s Happening Under the Hood?
During a series of tests, including both in-place upgrades and clean installations, subtle differences in performance were noted. However, a significant concern has emerged regarding how Windows 11 24H2 handles processes when applications are minimized. According to a discussion on the Neowin forums, user “kiddingguy” reported unexpected game crashes following recent updates identified as KB5050094 and KB5051987. These incidents highlight potential instability introduced with new patches.
Further insights came from a report by Borncity, where a reader detailed a particularly troubling bug. The user observed on an Intel Ultra 9 285K CPU ASRock system that Windows 11 enters a power-saving mode, drastically reducing CPU usage and clock speeds when an application is not in active use. This issue was confirmed using Prime95 and the 7-Zip benchmark, where the performance dipped significantly during minimized states.
Broader Implications: A Pattern of Inconsistency?
Screenshots shared by the affected users show stark differences in CPU usage and clock speeds when applications are minimized versus when they are active. This throttling back of performance can lead to reduced functionality, affecting tasks that continue to run in the background. Notably, Microsoft has confirmed support for Intel Ultra 9 285K CPUs under Windows 11 24H2, which makes these findings particularly puzzling.
The problem seems to be absent in other high-performance CPUs like the Intel i9-12900K and AMD’s Ryzen 9 9950X, suggesting that the issue might be specific to certain hardware configurations or the way Windows 11 24H2 manages its system resources.
This isn’t the first time Microsoft has faced criticism over performance inconsistencies. Previous reports have documented similar issues where Windows 11 appeared to hamper the performance capabilities of certain devices. The recent spotlight on CPU performance slowdowns in 2025, highlighted by benchmarking firm PassMark, raises further questions about the long-term impact of these updates.
The discovery of such performance throttling raises crucial questions about the stability and reliability of Windows 11 24H2, especially in environments where resource-intensive applications are common. Users and IT professionals should remain vigilant, particularly when updating systems with the latest patches. Further testing and user reports will be essential in determining the scope of these issues and prompting a necessary response from Microsoft to ensure that Windows 11 lives up to its promise of a seamless and efficient user experience.
