Microsoft is rolling out enhanced monitoring tools for Neural Processing Units (NPUs), the specialized AI chips now common in modern computers, giving everyday users visibility into how their devices handle artificial intelligence workloads. The June 2026 Security Update for Windows 11, expected to begin rolling out on June 9, 2026, introduces new NPU tracking features in Task Manager that display metrics previously hidden from most users.

What Are Neural Processing Units and Why Should You Care?

Neural Processing Units are specialized chips designed to accelerate artificial intelligence tasks on your computer. Unlike your main processor (CPU) or graphics card (GPU), which handle general computing, NPUs are optimized specifically for running AI models locally on your device. This means AI features can run faster and more efficiently without constantly sending data to cloud servers. As AI becomes more integrated into everyday software, understanding how your hardware handles these workloads matters.

Most modern laptops and desktops now include NPUs, but until now, Windows users had little visibility into how much of their AI chip's power was actually being used. The new monitoring tools change that dynamic by making NPU performance transparent.

What New NPU Metrics Will Task Manager Display?

Task Manager, Windows' built-in system monitoring tool, is gaining several new optional columns that track NPU activity across multiple views. These additions provide granular insight into how AI workloads are distributed across your system.

• NPU Utilization: Shows what percentage of your Neural Processing Unit's capacity is currently in use, similar to how CPU or GPU usage is displayed.
• Active NPU Engines: Displays which specific neural engines within your NPU are actively processing AI tasks at any given moment.
• Dedicated or Shared NPU Memory: Tracks how much of your NPU's memory is allocated to running AI workloads, helping identify memory bottlenecks.
• Neural Engines in GPU: Microsoft is also expanding visibility on the Performance page to show neural engines integrated directly into your graphics processor, providing a complete picture of AI acceleration across your entire system.

These metrics will be available across the "Processes," "Users," and "Details" tabs in Task Manager, allowing users to drill down into which specific applications are consuming NPU resources.

How to Monitor Your NPU Performance in Windows 11

• Open Task Manager: Right-click your taskbar or press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to launch Task Manager on your Windows 11 device.
• Navigate to the Performance Tab: Click the "Performance" tab to see an overview of your system's neural engines and AI acceleration capabilities integrated into your GPU.
• Check Individual Processes: Go to the "Processes" tab and right-click any column header to add optional columns for NPU utilization, active engines, and memory usage to track which apps are using your AI chip.
• Review User Activity: Switch to the "Users" tab to see NPU consumption broken down by user account, useful on shared computers.
• Examine Details Tab: The "Details" tab provides the most granular view, showing NPU metrics for every running process on your system.

The feature works automatically once the June 2026 update arrives on your device, though Microsoft uses a gradual rollout system called Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) technology, so you may not see the new columns immediately.

Why Is NPU Monitoring Important for Users?

As AI features become standard in Windows 11 and third-party applications, understanding NPU performance helps users troubleshoot problems and optimize their systems. If an AI-powered feature is running slowly, you can now check whether your NPU is maxed out or if the bottleneck lies elsewhere. This transparency is especially valuable for content creators, developers, and power users who rely on AI tools for productivity.

The monitoring tools also help users understand the real-world performance of their hardware. Newer processors that combine GPU and NPU capabilities can now be fully evaluated, showing users exactly how much AI acceleration their specific device provides. This information becomes increasingly relevant as more software vendors integrate AI features into their applications.

What Else Is Changing in the June 2026 Update?

The NPU monitoring improvements are part of a broader set of updates focused on system responsiveness and user experience. Microsoft is also introducing a "Low Latency Profile" feature that can deliver up to 40 percent faster application launch times and up to 70 percent faster interaction times with system features like the Start menu and context menus. The update also adds "Shared Audio" functionality using Bluetooth LE Audio technology, allowing two people to listen to the same audio from one computer simultaneously, and improvements to camera controls that allow multiple applications to access the same webcam feed at the same time.

These updates reflect Microsoft's strategy of focusing on the parts of Windows that users interact with daily rather than pursuing headline-grabbing features. The NPU monitoring tools fit squarely into this philosophy by making existing hardware capabilities more transparent and useful to everyday users.