Does Windows 11 Slow Down Games and Streams with Hidden AI?

September 5, 2026, 1:27 pm | Read time: 1 minute

A seemingly minor setting in Windows 11 is currently sparking discussions. Screenshots of the “Text and Image Creation” feature, found under “Privacy and Security,” are circulating on social networks. Some users suspect it involves AI processes that consume system resources in the background, slowing down games or streams.

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Windows 11 Performance: Misunderstanding in the Description

According to the online magazine “WindowsLatest,” this is not necessarily evidence of actively running AI. The feature instead indicates which apps are allowed to use or have used Windows’ integrated AI models. The key is the “Recent Activity” display, which reveals whether an application has actually accessed the AI functions.

Also of interest: Version 26H2 of Windows 11 disappoints

Probably No Cause for Concern

For most users, there is probably no cause for concern. The local AI processing is primarily intended for Copilot+ PCs with special NPU hardware and does not continuously burden the CPU or graphics card. Those who want to be on the safe side can still disable the option and revoke the corresponding permissions from the apps.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TECHBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@techbook.de.