Microsoft rolls out new CPU usage formula to Windows 11 24H2's Task Manager

If you’ve ever stared at Task Manager wondering why the CPU usage figures didn’t line up, you’re not alone. For years, the Processes tab has shown different usage values compared to the Performance or Users tabs. Now, with Windows 11’s May 2025 Update (KB5058411), Microsoft is finally cleaning that up, according to Windows Latest.

The update switches Task Manager to a single, industry-standard formula for CPU usage. That means the Processes tab will now show results that actually match what you see under the Performance or Users tabs.

Previously, the Windows 11 CPU usage formula used by the Processes tab in Task Manager didn’t consider logical processors. It also measured usage against the CPU’s base speed instead of real-time performance, which led to all sorts of strange results. Sometimes, one core going full throttle could trigger 100% CPU in the Processes tab—even on a 16-core processor.

Well, things get even more confusing when the turbo boost kicks in. The Processes tab would register values over 100%, then clip them back down, making it impossible to figure out what was really happening. Fortunately, Microsoft has finally fixed that.

Now, Task Manager uses the same formula used by PowerShell, Performance Monitor, and third-party tools:

CPU % = (Δ Process CPU Time) ÷ (Δ Elapsed Time × Logical Processors)

Folks over at Windows Latest first spotted this change in KB5058411 for Windows 11 24H2, which brings much-needed consistency to Task Manager’s reporting.

While it’s not the biggest of changes, it’s an important one for anyone who relies on Task Manager to troubleshoot slowdowns. With the new Windows 11 Task Manager CPU usage formula, you’ll finally see totals that add up without any error.