Microsoft has addressed an issue in Windows 11 Task Manager that caused inaccuracies in CPU load calculations. Previously, the utility determined CPU usage based on the processor’s base clock frequency, disregarding dynamic frequency changes such as overclocking and underclocking. This led to an underestimation of total CPU load and, in some cases, a sum of individual process usage values exceeding 100%. The update in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.3360 resolves this issue, bringing calculations in line with industry standards.
Before this fix, Task Manager displayed CPU load based solely on base frequency, rather than the actual operating or overclocked frequency. As a result, reported CPU usage often appeared lower than the real value. In cases of full CPU utilization, adding up the usage values of individual processes manually could produce a total exceeding 100%, misleading users. Microsoft confirmed in the official Windows blog that the correction removes discrepancies with third-party monitoring tools such as Process Explorer.
Improved Accuracy in CPU Load Display
The issue was further complicated by how Task Manager visually represented CPU load. The Performance tab limited the CPU utilization graph to 100%, even when the processor ran at higher speeds due to overclocking. This meant that during intensive workloads, actual CPU usage could exceed this threshold without Task Manager reflecting it. Conversely, when underclocking (reducing CPU frequency), the tool still failed to display 100% utilization even if the processor reached its full performance potential within the adjusted frequency range.
Despite the impact on monitoring accuracy, Microsoft did not address this error for a long time, notes NIXsolutions. Most users did not notice the discrepancies, as serious performance tracking was typically done with third-party tools like Process Explorer or HWMonitor. However, with this update, Task Manager now correctly displays CPU load, reducing reliance on external utilities.
Compatibility and Future Improvements
This fix is particularly beneficial for users relying on automatic CPU overclocking technologies such as Intel Turbo Boost and AMD Precision Boost. To ensure backward compatibility, Microsoft has retained the previous calculation method under a new label, “CPU utility,” allowing older software to function without needing adjustments to the new system.
The Task Manager update is part of Microsoft’s broader efforts to enhance system utility accuracy. In May 2024, the company also updated how it reports RAM clock speeds, replacing megahertz (MHz) with megatransactions per second (MT/s) for a more technically precise measurement. While these updates may not significantly impact everyday users, they are valuable for system performance enthusiasts.
Microsoft continues refining Windows system tools, and we’ll keep you updated on further enhancements.