Windows 11 Faster with the June Update (Can Be Downloaded Now)
Microsoft has begun distributing a hefty optional non-security update, known as the C-update, intended for Windows 11 operating systems in versions 24H2 and 25H2.
The package, marked with the code KB5089573 (build 26200.8524 and 26100.8524), is already available for manual download via Windows Update and within the Microsoft Update Catalog. As usual with end-of-month updates, this is not a patch focused on vulnerabilities but rather a release aimed at introducing new features, structural optimizations, and stability-related fixes. All changes included in this release will later be included in the cumulative Patch Tuesday scheduled for June 2026.
Highlights of the Optional End-of-May Update
The intervention by engineers in Redmond significantly enhances the responsiveness of the user interface. The update directly accelerates application startup and the performance of key system shell components, including the Start menu, Search function, and Action Center. Continuing on the performance front, Windows Search now shows greater structural sensitivity, able to identify and prioritize indexed files based on strings composed of just two characters.
Multimedia streams benefit from the introduction of the Shared Audio feature, allowing two people to listen to the same audio stream generated by a single PC simultaneously. The system utilizes Bluetooth LE Audio broadcast transmission technology: activation occurs through the Quick settings in the taskbar, by selecting supported and previously paired playback devices.
The restructuring of the Task Manager represents another cornerstone of package KB5089573, aiming to provide complete visibility over hardware resources dedicated to AI. The Processes, Users, and Details tabs are enriched with optional columns that can be configured by right-clicking on the header, specifically dedicated to the NPU utilization and NPU Engine. The Details section also shows counters for dedicated and shared NPU memory, while the Performance tab now includes neural engines that are an integral part of GPUs. For system administrators, the Processes and Details screens include the Isolation column to identify software running within a protected AppContainer environment.
Relevant updates impact the video subsystem with the Multi-App Camera mode, allowing multiple applications to access the same camera stream simultaneously. A Basic Camera mode is introduced for troubleshooting software issues, a simplified configuration useful for restoring operational stability in case of hardware malfunctions. Both options are configurable at the enterprise level by IT professionals using dedicated Group Policies.
Access management via Windows Hello changes its behavioral rules on the lock screen. If authentication via face or fingerprint is configured and active, the system will set it as the default access mode at every startup, ignoring any different preferences expressed in previous sessions. The Windows PIN will maintain priority only if the user enters it three times in a row. At the same time, the optimization of the WinBio biometric service reduces response times when waking from Modern Standby and resolves authentication locks related to the absence of secure registration metadata.
Infrastructure improvements also involve power management. The fix for the USB3 stack and HID drivers reduces battery impact caused by applications attempting to initiate data transfers or keep the sensor hub active during standby, while ensuring greater consistency in the powering on of displays connected to USB4 docks or hubs. The package download can be forced right now via Windows Update, or alternatively, one can proceed with manual installation from the official catalog.