In the July 2023 Update, Windows 11 now incorporates a concealed feature which mitigates stuttering issues in games on systems using high report rate mice.
The Windows 11 feature update has brought about several enhancements, not least among which is an improvement to the Task Manager, an ability for the taskbar to display seconds in the system tray, and an assortment of other updates. Crucially, a less obvious but significant change has also been made, involving reduced game stutter for high report rate mice. Microsoft's new strategy, designed to provide seamless gaming experiences, intends to counter in-game stutter with this update. As confirmed by a Microsoft developer to Windows Latest, the update focuses on improving gaming performance, specifically catering to users who employ high report rate mice.
The adjustments are incorporated in the Windows 11 KB5028185, which includes Moment 3 features and various other alterations. Acknowledging the unique demands of PC gaming and the strain it can place on systems, Microsoft has optimized its input system to work with keyboards, mice, and graphic cards effectively.
High report rate mice and certain background processes can significantly load the Windows input stack, leading to a notable amount of processing time devoted to input handling, thereby affecting the overall gaming experience. To combat this, Microsoft has reduced processing time by integrating strategies such as throttling and coalescing background raw mouse listeners and restricting their message rate. Such optimizations lead to a more efficient input handling process for background listeners, liberating additional processing power for rendering the gaming experience.
Microsoft had previously noted significant stuttering during popular games on the Surface Laptop Studio when used with a 1000 Hz mouse and background listeners. Post-implementation of the recent updates, the same configuration now provides a seamless, uninterrupted gaming experience. The update strives to ensure low-latency, high-precision input in games, all while enhancing input efficiency for background listeners. Thus, Windows 11 users can anticipate an improved gaming experience, even with multiple background processes running, guaranteeing smoother gameplay.
Windows 11 July 2023 Update: Reduces Game Stutter
