Microsoft has rolled out Windows 11 builds 26100.8106 and 26200.8106 to Release Preview Channel Insiders, introducing support for monitor refresh rates exceeding 1,000 Hz. This marks the first time Windows 11 officially handles four-digit refresh rates, preparing the operating system for next-generation gaming displays. The update arrives as gaming monitors rapidly advance beyond triple-digit refresh rates.

Gaming monitors have progressed from double-digit to triple-digit refresh rates over recent years, but reaching 1,000 Hz so quickly surprised many. Current technology limits most gamers to lower frame rates, though modern GPUs can already output hundreds of frames per second in competitive titles. This Windows update positions Microsoft to support future hardware as display technology evolves.

Philips and AOC have already unveiled gaming monitors capable of 1,000 Hz at 720p resolution. The Philips Evnia 27M2N5500XD and AOC AGON Pro AGP277QK, both built around the same 27-inch panel, can switch from QHD 500 Hz to 720p mode for double the refresh rate. While 720p gaming seems unusual today, modern GPUs like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 can easily achieve these frame rates in games like Counter-Strike 2, making ultra-high refresh rates practical for competitive gaming.