‘Apple does this and y’all love it’: Microsoft defends new Low Latency feature in Windows 11
Microsoft has introduced a new “Low Latency Profile” feature coming to Windows 11 designed to improve system responsiveness and application launch times. The feature works by temporarily maximizing CPU frequency in short bursts for high-priority tasks, allowing users to open and interact with Windows 11 elements more quickly. This approach is particularly beneficial for lower-spec machines that may otherwise struggle with performance.
The feature has drawn criticism from some online observers who argue it represents a superficial solution to broader performance issues. Critics have characterized the approach as “lazy” or merely “putting a bandage” on deeper problems.
However, Scott Hanselman, Vice President and member of technical staff for Microsoft AI, GitHub, and Windows, has publicly defended the Low Latency Profile on social media. He argues that the criticism misunderstands how modern operating systems achieve responsiveness. “Apple does this and y’all love it,” Hanselman stated, emphasizing that Apple and Google have adopted similar performance optimization techniques on their respective platforms. He further explained that this is “how modern systems make apps feel fast.”
Hanselman’s defense highlights that the technique of temporarily boosting CPU frequency to improve perceived performance is a well-established practice in the industry, not a novel or controversial approach. Rather than being a lazy workaround, he frames it as a standard methodology that modern platforms use to enhance user experience. The feature represents Microsoft’s effort to make Windows 11 more responsive and efficient, particularly for users with budget hardware constraints.