The latest optional Windows 11 update released on March 26, 2026, KB5079391, introduces a new “technical” feature. The OS now knows how to manage refresh rates above 1,000 Hz, according to the publisher’s official documentation. Microsoft also mentions reliability improvements for HDR, auto-rotation and energy efficiency of monitors connected via USB4.Â
The most interesting, however, concerns the formula chosen by Microsoft. Because behind this sober “above 1,000 Hz†, several signals suggest that Windows 11 has been prepared to go much further. A report indicates that a contact at Microsoft has confirmed an increase in the limit to 5000 Hz on Windows 11 24H2 and later versions. This figure does not appear in the official Microsoft notes.
An update paused
There is, however, a major setback. On March 27, 2026, Microsoft supplemented the official file for KB5079391 with a known issue. Significantly enough it forced the firm to suspend deployment due to installation error 0x80073712.
At first glance, talking about 1,000 Hz may seem disconnected from the uses of the general public. Even today, the majority of PCs run on 60 Hz, 120 Hz or 144 Hz screens. The refresh rate refers to the number of times a screen updates the image each second. The higher it goes, the smoother, sharper and more responsive the display can appear, provided of course that the rest of the chain follows, including the GPU, the cable, the display controller and the panel itself.
For traditional office automation, the gain quickly becomes less spectacular. On the other hand, in competitive video games, the reduction of motion blur and visual latency remains central arguments. If Microsoft does not detail these benefits in its note, it is precisely in this area that very high frequency screens take on their full meaning.
At CES 2026, several manufacturers began to highlight monitors capable of reaching 1,000 Hz in certain display modes, often in reduced definition.
Microsoft talks about 1,000 Hz, others about 5,000 Hz
If Microsoft is careful in. speaking of “more than 1000 Hz†a report claims that the real ceiling has been raised to 5000 Hz in order to prevent Windows 11 from quickly finding itself limited in the face of emerging hardware. Several manufacturers are already working on 2000 Hz panels for the horizon 2030.
Coming back to KB5079391, Microsoft mentions better reliability of automatic rotation after waking up from sleep, improved HDR reliability for screens with non-compliant DisplayID 2.0 blocks, as well as more economical management of USB 4 monitors while the PC goes to sleep.
Added to all this are enriched image descriptions in Narrator, with expanded integration with Copilot and more discreet adjustments in terms of parameters and system reliability.
