Windows 11 KB5089573 Rolls Out With Low Latency Profile and Other Improvements

Microsoft has released KB5089573 for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2 after several weeks in the Release Preview channel. The update moves systems to OS builds 26200.8524 and 26100.8524 and introduces a mix of usability, setup, performance, and accessibility improvements.

While Shared Audio support and NPU monitoring are among the headline additions, the update also changes how Windows Setup handles user folder creation and improves responsiveness across several core Windows experiences.

Windows Setup Now Supports Custom User Folder Names

One of the more noticeable changes appears during the initial Windows setup process. Microsoft now lets users choose a custom name for their user folder directly from the Device Name page.

Previously, Windows automatically generated the folder name based on the account name or other setup information. Users who wanted a different folder name often needed workarounds or manual account creation later.

The new option simplifies that process. Users can still skip the customization step, in which case Windows continues using the default naming behavior. Microsoft says custom names must still follow standard Windows folder naming rules.

Start Menu and Search Should Feel Faster

Microsoft also improved app launch performance and optimized several core shell components. According to the company, areas such as the Start menu, Windows Search, and Action Center should now feel more responsive after installing the update.

The changes arrive as Microsoft continues testing its Low Latency Profile feature across Windows 11. While the company did not directly tie these improvements to that feature, the overall interface should feel snappier in daily use.

Windows Hello Gets Smarter Authentication Behavior

KB5089573 also updates the Windows Biometric service to improve performance after Modern Standby sessions.

Microsoft says Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security should now trigger fewer unexpected authentication blocks. The operating system will also prioritize facial recognition or fingerprint authentication by default when supported hardware is available.

Another small but important change affects PIN sign-ins. If users enter their PIN three times in a row, Windows will continue prioritizing PIN authentication until the user manually switches to another sign-in method.

Windows Search Improves Short File Queries

Windows Search now supports finding and prioritizing files using as few as two characters.

This should help users locate files with short names more easily, especially in folders containing abbreviated project names, screenshots, or temporary documents.

Storage Settings Receive Quality-of-Life Improvements

Microsoft also adjusted several storage-related features inside Settings.

The Dev Drive creation dialog now supports entering drive sizes in gigabytes instead of only megabytes. Volume resizing inside Settings > System > Storage also supports GB input.

The Storage page now behaves differently when checking temporary files as well. Instead of immediately triggering a User Account Control prompt after opening the page, Windows now only displays the prompt after users actively choose to view temporary files.

Microsoft says these features are rolling out gradually. Some Windows 11 users may not see every new feature immediately after installing KB5089573.

That staged rollout approach continues to apply to several recent Windows 11 updates, especially for feature-related changes tied to newer platform components.