Microsoft says Windows 11 is now up to 20% more responsive following a series of performance and memory-management improvements aimed at everyday parts of the operating system.
The improvements affect areas including Start, Search, File Explorer, Settings, the Snipping Tool, and right-click menus. The 20% figure comes from Microsoft’s own response-time testing and does not mean every Windows workload is 20% faster.
8GB PCs Can Keep Up to 2GB More Data in RAM
One of the biggest changes targets computers with limited memory.
Microsoft says Windows 11 can now keep up to 2GB more active data in memory on PCs with 8GB of RAM instead of moving it to slower storage.
That should reduce slowdowns when switching between open apps and browser tabs.
Microsoft has also changed how Widgets work on PCs with 8GB of RAM or less. Widgets now load only when users open them, freeing more than 200MB of memory for other applications.
Taskbar Can Finally Move Again
Microsoft is also restoring more control over the Windows 11 taskbar.
Users can now position the taskbar at the top, bottom, left, or right side of the screen.
Most existing taskbar options continue working in the new positions, although some features remain limited depending on where the taskbar is placed.
Windows 11 also gains a new small taskbar option, reducing the taskbar height and icon size to free up more screen space.
The Start menu is becoming more customizable as well, with different sizing options and controls for hiding sections.
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Windows Search Is Being Reworked
Microsoft is also developing a redesigned Windows Search experience with improvements to performance and memory usage.
Search will support more direct actions from results, allowing users to change some settings without opening the Settings app.
It can also handle actions such as arranging or minimizing windows, while deeper phone integration is planned.
New Photos App Is Faster
Microsoft is updating the Photos app with a redesigned Gallery, Viewer, and Editor.
The company says Photos now launches up to 20% faster.
The editor includes tools for cropping and color adjustments, along with features such as object removal and Relight.
Phone-to-PC Integration Gets Better
Windows 11 is also improving how PCs connect with Android phones and iPhones.
Users can preview phone messages and notifications from Start, answer calls, and access phone controls without leaving the PC.
Supported Android phones can run apps inside resizable Windows windows, while users can browse phone files through File Explorer.
Photos taken on the phone can also trigger a PC notification for quicker access.
Microsoft’s Resume feature can also continue supported activities when moving between a phone and PC.
Windows Update, Bluetooth and Windows Hello Improve
Microsoft says it has also changed Windows Update to better coordinate updates, reduce unnecessary restarts and shorten installation times.
Bluetooth pairing and reconnection have received reliability improvements, with Microsoft claiming that pairing some AirPods can now be up to 15 seconds faster.
Windows Hello face and fingerprint sign-in are also being made faster and more reliable.
The changes are rolling out across different Windows 11 builds, so availability may vary depending on the device, region and Windows version.
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