Microsoft unveils MAJOR improvements coming to Windows 11 this year — movable Taskbar, reduced RAM usage, less AI and ads, and much more CONFIRMED: "We are evolving how Windows is built behind the scenes to raise the quality bar"

Microsoft just confirmed that it's working on multiple major updates to Windows 11 that will address user's biggest complaints with the platform over the last two years. Everything from general system performance and reliability to the ability to move the Taskbar and reduce ads will be addressed this year.

"We are focusing on making Windows 11 more responsive and consistent, so performance feels smooth and reliable," says Pavan Davuluri, EVP of Windows & Devices at Microsoft. "Over the course of the year, we’re improving system performance, app responsiveness, File Explorer and the Windows Subsystem for Linux, helping Windows stay fast as you move between apps and workloads.

By the end of this year, Microsoft says Windows 11 will be a much better, responsive OS that's more reliable and uses fewer system resources. It will feel faster and more consistent, with less annoyances from ads, AI, and updates. It will also be better at running on devices with limited memory.

Windows Search is also expected to be upgraded with faster and more accurate search results and a more unified experience across the Windows Search pane, File Explorer, and other areas of search in the system.

Microsoft is working with OEMs and driver vendors to ensure drivers that are delivered to devices are stable and of a much higher standard, which should help towards improving Windows' overall OS stability.

It's not just under the hood improvements that are on the way, either. Microsoft says it's addressing top feedback from users that impact the user experience of the OS. It's working to reduce UI flicker in apps like File Explorer, deliver a more fluid and consistent UI experience across modern interfaces, and it's even bringing back the ability to move the Taskbar!

"Repositioning the taskbar is one of the top asks we’ve heard from you. We are introducing the ability to reposition it to the top or sides of your screen, making it easier to personalize your workspace," confirms Davuluri.

Microsoft is also vowing to use its native Windows UI framework, WinUI, in more areas of the system, such as the Start menu, which up until now has been built using React. Switching to native WinUI should improve performance, thanks in part to major performance upgrades to WinUI that Microsoft is also promising to deliver this year.

The company says that Windows Update will be improved to allow users more control over how and when updates install. It will let users pause updates for "as long as needed," and is working to reduce how often Windows Update requires a restart so that it doesn't get in your way as often.

Microsoft has also announced that it will be reducing the number of places where Copilot appears throughout the OS, starting with Notepad, Photos, Snipping Tool, and Widgets.

Along that same thread, the company is also reducing the type of ads that appear in the Recommended feed in the Start menu, and will go so far as to easily let you disable the ads within Start entirely.

It's clear that Microsoft has realized that it went too far with the constant enshittification of Windows. In fact, today's announcement almost reads like an apology letter, just without the actual apology. Windows 11's reputation is currently at an all time low, and the company is hoping that these changes will begin to turn the tide and help win back the trust of users.

Sources tell me that this effort to fix Windows 11 even has a codename: Windows K2, named after the world's second tallest mountain. I understand that this effort has postponed and even canceled other plans that Microsoft had for Windows this year. Delivering these improvements are the top priority for all Windows teams internally.

The company says that much of these improvements will begin rolling out in preview over the coming months. Here's Microsoft's manifesto that outlines its three areas of focus for Windows 11 this year: Performance, Reliability, and Craft.

Performance

We are focusing on making Windows 11 more responsive and consistent, so performance feels smooth and reliable.

Over the course of the year, we're improving system performance, app responsiveness, File Explorer and the Windows Subsystem for Linux, helping Windows stay fast as you move between apps and workloads.

• Improving system performance
  • Reducing resource usage by Windows to free up more performance for what you're doing
  • Faster and more responsive Windows experiences, with early improvements already delivering launch time reductions in apps like File Explorer
  • Improved memory efficiency, lowering the baseline memory footprint for Windows and freeing up more capacity for the apps you run
  • More consistent performance, even under load, so apps stay responsive throughout the day
• More fluid and responsive app interactions
  • Reducing interaction latency by moving core Windows experiences to the WinUI3 framework
  • Improving the shared UI infrastructure that Windows experiences rely on, reducing interaction latency and overhead at the platform level
  • Faster responsiveness in core Windows experiences like the Start menu, by moving more experiences to WinUI3
• Improving File Explorer fundamentals
  • Reducing latency and improving reliability across search, navigation and file operations
  • Substantially lower latency for search, navigation and context menus
  • Copying and moving large files will be faster and more reliable
  • Faster launch and responsiveness for common file tasks
• Elevating the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) experience
  • Improving performance, reliability and integration for developers using Linux tools and environments on Windows
  • Faster file performance between Linux and Windows
  • Improved network compatibility and throughput
  • More streamlined first-time setup and onboarding experience
  • Better enterprise management with stronger policy control, security and governance

Reliability

Reliability is the bedrock of trust. You should trust that your PC is going to be there and function when you need it most.

Across the operating system, we will focus on improving the baseline reliability of areas such as the Windows Insider Program, drivers and apps, updates and Windows Hello.

• Strengthening reliability and quality of the Windows Insider Program
  • Clearer visibility into what features are included in each Insider build
  • More control over which new features you try, with easier switching between channels
  • Higher quality builds entering each channel, with more rigorous validation
  • Stronger feedback loops so issues are identified and addressed faster
• Increasing OS, driver and app reliability
  • Reducing OS-level crashes, improving driver quality and app stability
  • More stable Bluetooth connections, fewer USB-related crashes, improved printer discoverability
  • More reliable camera and audio connections
  • More consistent device wake, including docking scenarios
• Improving the Windows Update experience
  • Less disruption, moving devices to a single monthly reboot
  • More direct control over updates, including pausing as long as needed and letting you shut down or restart without installing pending updates
  • Faster, more reliable update experiences with clearer progress and built-in recovery
• Improving Windows Hello biometric authentication
  • More reliable facial recognition
  • Faster and more dependable fingerprint sign-in
  • Easier secure sign-in on gaming handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally X

Craft

Craft is the discipline that turns functional products into loved ones through usability, polish, coherence and refinement.

This year, you will see us invest in raising the bar on overall usability, with more personalization, less noise, fewer distractions and more control across the OS. That includes being thoughtful about how and where we bring AI into Windows, leading with transparency, choice and control, so that new capabilities enhance the experience rather than complicate it.

• Improving the Start and taskbar experience
  • More consistent, dependable access to apps and files
  • Expanded taskbar personalization, including alternate positions and smaller sizes
  • A more relevant Recommended section in Start, with clear controls
• More focused user experience with fewer distractions
  • Quieter, more streamlined device setup
  • Widgets surface information more intentionally
  • Simpler settings to personalize or disable Widgets and feed content
  • Reduced notifications to help you stay focused
• Enhancing the Search experience
  • Faster, more accurate results
  • Clearer distinction between local and web results
  • More consistent search across Taskbar, Start, File Explorer and Settings

💬 Will this be enough to turn the tide?

Microsoft has all but admitted that it's messed up with Windows 11, and has confirmed that it's doing everything it can to address feedback and right the ship. Do you think this effort will actually help Microsoft win back positive sentiment around Windows, or is the platform too far gone? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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