Microsoft is releasing a monthly update for Windows 11 that introduces significant enhancements to HDR support. These updates allow users to keep HDR disabled system-wide while still enjoying HDR streaming in all its vibrancy, along with improved control over Dolby Vision settings.
The latest update, KB5058499, is currently accessible to all Windows 11 users who have selected the “get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” option in Windows Update. After installation, you can now enable HDR streaming even with HDR turned off across Windows, allowing you to enjoy HDR content from applications like Netflix and websites such as YouTube without having to globally enable HDR.
Additionally, Microsoft is enhancing HDR support in Windows 11 to permit users to toggle Dolby Vision independently for content or across the system. Previously, enabling Dolby Vision on your monitor would automatically activate it in Windows. Having the option to turn it on or off is a welcome change.
These new features are particularly beneficial for those who disable HDR in Windows due to inconsistent performance. Personally, I turn off HDR in Windows and use the keyboard shortcut (Windows Key + Alt + B) to activate it in compatible games. This approach helps me avoid issues with various content capture tools that produce washed-out images because they do not properly handle HDR or allow for capturing specific SDR content.
Although HDR support in Windows has seen improvements over the past year, particularly with the arrival of new OLED monitors, I still believe that game developers and Microsoft need to place greater emphasis on HDR. While Auto HDR is excellent for gaming, achieving proper HDR functionality across a wide range of applications and games in Windows remains a complicated and manual task.
