Windows 11 update KB5006746 fixes gaming performance issues

Microsoft has released the preview of optional cumulative update KB5006746 for Windows 11, fixing sixty-four issues, including AMD processor performance and gaming issues.

This cumulative update preview is part of Microsoft’s monthly “C” updates scheduled for October 2021, allowing Windows 11 users to test out upcoming fixes released on September 9 as part of Patch Tuesday.

Unlike Patch Tuesday updates, “C” schedule updates are optional and contain only bug fixes and performance improvements, but no security updates.

To install this update, you must go to Settings > Windows Update and manually “Check for updates”. Since this is an optional update, Windows will not install it until you click the “Download Now” button as shown below.

Windows 11 users can also manually download and install the KB5006746 preview update from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Fixed game performance issues

This update addresses a number of gaming performance issues in Windows 11.

Since the release of Windows 11, users have complained about notable performance issues with AMD Ryzen processors.

In a support article published by AMD, it was explained that these issues are caused by “L3 cache latency may increase for some applications” and “UEFI CPPC2 (“ preferred core ”) may not schedule threads preferably over the fastest core in a processor. ”

“Addresses an L3 caching issue that could affect the performance of some apps on devices with AMD Ryzen processors after upgrading to Windows 11 (original version),” says the release notes for the update day today.

With update KB5006746, Microsoft also fixed an issue that made Bluetooth mice and keyboards slower than expected, which can hurt shooters and eSports games.

Finally, Microsoft fixed an issue preventing users from using the Xbox Game Bar recording features.

What’s new in Windows 10 update KB5006746

After installing update KB5006746, Windows 11 will see its build number changed to 2200.282

Windows 10 Cumulative Update Preview KB5006746 includes 64 improvements or fixes, with the thirteen highlighted changes listed below:

• Updates an issue that prevents Internet Explorer from working when you type certain characters in the Input Method Editor (IME).
• Updates an issue that occurs when you try to rename a file in File Explorer using the new Japanese IME.
• Updates an issue that could distort audio captured by voice assistants.
• Updates an issue that sometimes causes your lock screen background to appear black if you’ve set up an image slideshow as your lock screen background.
• Updates an issue that could cause your Bluetooth mice and keyboards to respond slower than expected.
• Improves the estimation of how long you wait to use your device after restarting it.
• Updates an issue that could prevent you from using the recording features of Xbox Game Bar.
• Updates an issue that causes some apps to run slower than usual after upgrading to Windows 11 (original version).
• Updates an issue that prevents Narrator and other screen readers from announcing when the Start menu is open in some cases.
• Updates an issue that prevents the search window from appearing on a secondary monitor.
• Updates an issue that prevents you from opening multiple instances of an app using Shift and clicking the app icon on the taskbar.
• Updates the visual design and animations of the Chat icon on the taskbar.
• Updates an issue for a small number of users that prevents the Start menu from working and prevents you from seeing the updated taskbar after upgrading to Windows 11 (original version).

You can find a complete list of improvements and fixes as well as detailed explanations of known issues in the KB5006746 support bulletin.