Microsoft is gearing up to enhance how Task Manager tracks CPU usage with its latest Windows 11 update, aligning it more closely with popular third-party tools.
In an effort to make CPU monitoring more efficient, Microsoft’s update aims to bridge the gap between Task Manager’s performance metrics and those offered by third-party applications. This means users could soon rely solely on Task Manager for accurate CPU utilization insights, potentially eliminating the need for other apps.
Microsoft stated, “We’re starting to roll out a change in how Task Manager calculates CPU utilization. This update will bring consistency to the Processes, Performance, and Users pages by using standard metrics that align with industry norms and similar tools.”
Details around the precise changes in CPU utilization calculations remain a bit vague. However, we do know that this update will unify these calculations across various pages, like Processes, Performance, and Users. As a result, the figures you see on third-party platforms should closely match those displayed by Task Manager, reducing discrepancies and providing built-in, reliable CPU monitoring. Although it’s likely you’ll no longer need to consider other options like HWINFO, we’ll have to wait until the update is released to see it in action.
To address preferences for current metrics, Microsoft is introducing an optional CPU Utility column in the “Details” tab for backward compatibility. Currently, these updates are part of the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3360, from the 24H2 update series. This change will gradually roll out to users, reinforcing Microsoft’s commitment to delivering a superior user experience.
