Windows 11 Version 24H2 Delivers Smaller, Faster, and More Efficient Updates

Architecturally, Windows 11 version 24H2 is a major upgrade, a so-called “full operating swap” that’s rolling out slowly and takes a lot more time to install than the previous Feature Update. But once the upgrade is complete, you’ll enjoy a smaller, faster, and more efficient monthly cumulative update experience than before. And this week, Microsoft provided a few details that explain why the effort to get here was worth it.

“Windows 11 version 24H2 represents significant improvements to the already robust update foundation of Windows,” Microsoft’s Steve DiAcetis explains. “With the latest version, you get reduced installation time, restart time, and central processing unit (CPU) usage for Windows monthly updates. Additionally, enhancements to the handling of feature updates further reduce download sizes for most [PCs] by extending conditional downloads to include Microsoft Edge.”

As DiAcetis explains, Microsoft made several low-level changes to how Windows handles cumulative monthly updates in 24H2. In addition to the parallel processing of components using differentials, it now uses parallel processing of component manifests. It then caches the results of its parsing of component manifests to improve efficiency with future component references. And it scales its use of system RAM based on how much RAM the PC has; PCs with more RAM can hold more of the manifest cache, improving update speed.

All the gobbledygook aside, what this means to you is that cumulative updates will install about 45 percent faster than before 24H2. The PC will restart after an update about 36 percent faster. CPU usage is roughly 20 percent less than before. And the update downloads are about 200 MB smaller now.

That last bit is tied to another change: In-box, non-system apps–apps that are included with Windows 11 but serviced via the Microsoft Store instead of Windows Update–are structured more efficiently and use conditional downloading techniques so that they’re only downloaded and installed as needed. And though it’s updated outside the Store, these changes apply to Microsoft Edge, too.