Microsoft Confirms Windows 11 Set for Major Performance Boost, Lower RAM Usage & More

Last Friday, the President of Microsoft’s Windows + Devices division, Pavan Davuluri, outlined a massive roadmap plan to fix Windows 11. Most of the changes announced by Davuluri are based on user feedback. You can read all of that in our separate article, but this piece focuses on what Microsoft has planned for Windows 11’s performance throughout 2026.

Microsoft lays out its Windows 11 performance plan for 2026

Microsoft is now committed to making the system faster, smoother, and more consistent for daily use. As of now, these changes are rolling out gradually, but the intent is clear. The broader plan, which Davuluri says will span the entire year, focuses on system performance, app responsiveness, File Explorer, and even the Windows Subsystem for Linux.

Microsoft faces growing pressure over Windows laptop performance

Not to forget, the announcement around Windows 11 performance comes at a time when the MacBook Neo has become a favorite for many, including the former Microsoft chief, with Windows laptops getting bashed online for weaker performance. Meanwhile, users have been unhappy about RAM management, reliability, and the increasing reliance on Electron-based apps.

Windows 11 will focus on lower resource usage and better responsiveness

Well, it seems Microsoft is well aware of such issues in Windows laptops. Speaking of which, Davuluri notes that the company is looking to reduce resource usage at the OS level, which should free up more power for apps and active workloads. Early improvements are already showing up, with faster launch times in apps like File Explorer and a lower baseline memory footprint across Windows.

That said, performance consistency appears to be the bigger priority. Windows 11 is being reworked to stay responsive even under load, which should benefit users who multitask. App interactions are also getting attention, with Microsoft moving core experiences to the WinUI 3 framework. According to the company, this should help reduce interaction latency and make elements like the Start menu feel faster, though the transition is still ongoing.

File Explorer is getting speed and reliability improvements

File Explorer, which is a key app in Windows 11, is another major focus of Microsoft’s roadmap. The company says it is working on making search, navigation, and context menus snappier, while also improving reliability in file operations. Copying or moving large files should become faster and more stable, and common file tasks are expected to feel more responsive overall.

WSL and enterprise features are also part of the roadmap

Addressing concerns from developers, Davuluri also says that the Windows Subsystem for Linux is getting performance and integration upgrades, including faster file handling between Linux and Windows, improved network throughput, and a more streamlined setup experience. It appears Microsoft is also bolstering enterprise controls around security and governance.

Overall, this appears to be the right direction for Microsoft, though some believe this optimization should have been a priority much earlier.