MC1457685 – M365 Change Digest

One-line summary

Windows Task Manager now shows per-process NPU and GPU neural engine activity, aiding IT pros, developers, and power users in monitoring AI workloads on supported devices.

Details

Body (from Message Center)

What and why:

You can use Windows Task Manager for deeper visibility into AI workloads running on a device. Specifically, per-process activity for the neural processing unit (NPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) neural engine now appear on the Processes and Performance tabs, alongside other familiar data.

Rollout schedule:

These Task Manager enhancements became available on some newer devices in the May and June 2026 non-security updates.
A new blog article is now available to illustrate different use cases for IT professionals, developers, and power users.

Impact on your organization:

As AI workloads become more common on Windows devices, visibility into NPU and GPU neural engine utilization can help you make better informed decisions. This data can help as follows:

For IT professionals: Troubleshoot and report on performance.
For developers: Validate whether AI models are landing on the intended NPU or GPU neural engine instead of CPU or standard GPU compute.
For power users: Understand and improve performance and battery life.

Action required/recommendations:

Explore the new metrics in Task Manager to evaluate application performance, troubleshoot resource bottlenecks, and better understand how your devices use AI-capable hardware. Read Task Manager features for visibility into AI workloads.

Compliance considerations:

No compliance considerations are identified. Review as appropriate for your organization.

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