Backlash Grows as WhatsApp Plans to Force Users to a New Windows App

WhatsApp has started warning Windows users that the current desktop app will soon be replaced, and the transition has already begun. The change rolled out with an update on December 9, 2025, and users are now seeing messages that encourage them to move to the new version.

New WhatsApp app Coming With Major Performance Issues

The new WhatsApp for Windows is a web wrapper that loads web.whatsapp.com inside a window. This approach makes the app slower and heavier compared to the older native client. As WindowsLatest reports, the new version uses up to ten times more RAM, and it delivers noticeably weaker performance. This has led to widespread frustration, especially because the switch is not optional.

The situation reflects Microsoft’s broader habit of prioritizing WebView2 based apps, which has affected several Windows features, such as the Agenda view in Notification Center.

A temporary workaround exists. Users can pause automatic updates to keep the older native WhatsApp app installed. This method requires manual updates and will not remain a permanent solution because WhatsApp will eventually force the upgrade.

For now, Windows users face an unavoidable shift toward a more resource-intensive WhatsApp experience that many believe feels like a downgrade.