Debunking Microsoft’s 2.3x Speed Claim for Windows 11: What You Need to Know

Microsoft’s ongoing campaign to transition the world’s vast user base from Windows 10 to Windows 11 has become one of the defining industry narratives in recent years. As support for Windows 10 draws to a close, the company’s messaging has pivoted forcibly to the twin themes of security and performance. But while users expect persuasive reasons to embrace new software, the latest performance claims made in high-profile Microsoft blogs deserve a critical, fact-driven examination. In particular, a bold assertion that Windows 11 PCs are “up to 2.3 times faster” than Windows 10 devices has fueled both skepticism and confusion in the tech community. Upon closer investigation, this number—and the way it was calculated—raises important questions about transparency, marketing ethics, and what users should really expect when they upgrade to Windows 11.

Microsoft’s 2.3x Claim: Dissecting the Benchmarks​

In December 2024, Microsoft’s Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Yusuf Mehdi, authored a widely-circulated post outlining the benefits of Windows 11. The article foregrounded a headline-grabbing statistic: “Windows 11 PCs are up to 2.3x faster than Windows 10 PCs.” On its surface, the claim carries major implications—an upgrade could turbocharge your computing experience. But a detailed look at the supporting data and the methodology used paints a very different—and far less flattering—picture.
According to a footnote linked in Mehdi’s blog, the performance differential comes from synthetic benchmark tests (specifically, Geekbench 6 Multi-core scores) conducted in late 2024. Rather than running Windows 10 and Windows 11 on the same hardware, Microsoft compared a variety of aging Windows 10 PCs—using Intel Core 6th, 8th, and 10th generation processors—with modern Windows 11 systems equipped with state-of-the-art 12th and 13th generation Intel chips. The devices representing Windows 10 ranged from models like the Dell XPS 13 with an i5-6200U, first released in 2015, all the way to systems barely newer, such as an HP Envy x360 with a 10th Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7. On the other side, the Windows 11 group included fresh hardware released only in the last couple of years.
This methodological gap is significant. The “2.3x” speedup, on inspection, almost certainly reflects hardware improvements—such as advances in CPU architecture, memory, and storage speed—far more than any intrinsic gains supplied by Windows 11 itself.

A Tale of Two Testbeds​

To provide clarity, it’s instructive to lay out a small sampling of the PCs Microsoft used in its comparison:
Compare these to the Windows 11 PCs, relying on 12th and 13th generation Intel chips—processors that incorporate years of architectural gains, higher core counts, and faster clock speeds. This is a yawning chasm. Comparing performance of a nine-year-old laptop with a recent flagship model says little about the Windows versions themselves and much more about what new silicon can deliver.
It’s akin to contrasting the fuel economy and speed of a modern electric car with a gasoline-powered sedan from a decade ago and then touting the difference as entirely due to the car’s operating system or firmware.

Software vs. Hardware: The Real-World Implications​

Most users, lacking deep knowledge of hardware generations, could easily interpret Microsoft’s marketing as an endorsement of Windows 11’s inherent speediness. But the reality is considerably subtler—and arguably more important for decision-making.

Historical Context: Windows 10 vs. Windows 11 Performance​

Multiple reputable independent sources—including Tom’s Hardware, PC Gamer, and AnandTech—have run real-world benchmarks comparing Windows 10 and Windows 11 on identical hardware. Their findings should give pause to anyone hoping for radical speed improvements. Generally, the performance differences are modest, and in some cases, Windows 10 still holds a slight edge, especially in gaming scenarios.
For example, gaming benchmarks often demonstrate Windows 11 lagging behind Windows 10 by a few percentage points, particularly on older systems. Productivity and synthetic benchmarks (like those for multitasking or browser speeds) tend to show either parity between the two or marginal gains favoring Windows 11 when certain optimizations—such as Intel Thread Director on the latest CPUs—can be utilized.

Synthetic Benchmarks: What Do They Really Show?​

The Geekbench 6 multi-core test, like many synthetic performance benchmarks, is designed to highlight algorithmic performance in highly controlled environments. While useful for comparing raw processing power (especially across different generations of CPUs), it does not capture the nuances of real-world workloads—tasks like web browsing, media playback, code compilation, or gaming, where GPU, storage, and software factors all play crucial roles.
Thus, even a valid 2.3x difference in Geekbench scores between an i5-6200U and an i7-13700H says little about what everyday users should expect from a software upgrade on their current device. For the millions running Windows 10 on mainstream hardware launched as recently as 2019 or 2020, the tangible benefits of Windows 11 are far less dramatic.

The Security Pitch: TPM 2.0, Smart App Control, and “62% Fewer Incidents”​

Performance is only one side of Microsoft’s advocacy for Windows 11. Security enhancements have figured just as centrally in the company’s upgrade campaign. Consistently, Microsoft touts features like built-in TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) support, the roll-out of Smart App Control, and hardware-based virtualization as game-changers. Mehdi’s blog asserts that Windows 11 users experience “a 62 percent reduction in security incidents,” but the value of this statistic equally deserves scrutiny.

Parsing the Security Comparison​

The oft-cited “62% fewer security incidents” figure is not strictly a measure of the operating system itself but rather reflects comparisons between new PCs running Windows 11 (with up-to-date firmware, secure boot, and all security features enabled) against legacy hardware running Windows 10. This distinction is crucial.
Older devices often lack required security modules, have outdated firmware, or may have security features disabled for compatibility. In truth, many core protections—such as BitLocker encryption, UEFI Secure Boot, and hardware-based virtualization—are only guaranteed on PCs certified for Windows 11. As with performance, the apparent gains stem largely from new, more secure hardware rather than the upgrade alone.

TPM 2.0 and User Impact​

TPM 2.0 became infamous the moment Microsoft announced it as a baseline requirement for Windows 11. The rationale: TPM-backed cryptographic protection sharply increases the difficulty of malware, ransomware, and credential theft attacks. While hard to dispute in principle, the consequence is that a considerable cohort of otherwise-capable PCs—especially productivity laptops and desktops from the mid-to-late 2010s—are ineligible for an upgrade.
For businesses and organizations prioritizing data security, this transition is a positive development. But for everyday consumers, the exclusionary criteria have driven frustration, with many seeing the policy as an excuse for planned obsolescence.

Editorial Analysis: Microsoft’s Messaging—Persuasive or Misleading?​

Microsoft’s 2.3x performance claim is hardly the first instance of selective marketing in the PC world. However, the stakes are particularly high given the size of the Windows 10 installed base—numbering in the hundreds of millions—and the impending end of support deadline.

The Fine Print and Consumer Confusion​

Careful readers will notice the weasel wording tucked in the performance claim’s footnotes: “Performance will vary significantly by device and with settings, usage, and other factors.” This carefully hedges against accusations of misrepresentation, but few consumers pore over footnotes before forming an impression. The headline itself, amplified across countless tech news outlets and Microsoft’s own customer-facing materials, practically invites misunderstanding.
Compounding this, Microsoft has invested heavily in “trade-in” messaging, actively encouraging users to abandon older PCs for new Windows 11 models. While such upgrades do deliver genuine improvements—modern SSDs, high-refresh displays, longer battery life—pitching them as solely driven by software evolution is disingenuous at best.

Real-World Scenarios: What Should Users Expect?​

For most users already running Windows 10 on 8th, 9th, or 10th generation Intel hardware (or comparable AMD models), upgrading to Windows 11 is unlikely to deliver monumental speed improvements. Yes, certain workflows—like those relying on the latest Intel Core hybrid CPUs (12th/13th generation)—will benefit from Windows 11’s scheduling optimizations. And yes, newer devices are more secure and future-proof. But for mainstream computing—web browsing, office apps, casual gaming—the gap simply doesn’t match the 2.3x figure being advertised.

Potential Risks of Overhyped Claims​

The most significant risk is user alienation. Many loyal Windows 10 users possess mid-late 2010s hardware that otherwise performs admirably. Suggesting their devices will perform “up to 2.3x” better with Windows 11 is not just misleading—it risks pushing consumers to replace devices unnecessarily, generating e-waste, and sowing distrust when the reality fails to meet advertised benefits.
Moreover, by leaning into misleading benchmarks, Microsoft opens itself to backlash from enthusiasts, industry analysts, and regulatory bodies already scrutinizing big tech’s marketing practices. The company’s credibility rests on transparent, evidence-based communication—especially at a moment when software choices are so consequential.

Alternative Paths for Windows 10 Loyalists​

Notably, Microsoft has offered an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for businesses and individuals wishing to keep Windows 10 secure after the official support cut-off. The price: $30 per year, per device—far less than the cost of a new machine. This gives privacy-focused or cost-conscious users an alternative to forced obsolescence, at least for a few more years.
There are also ways, both official and unofficial, to make Windows 11 visually and functionally resemble the familiar Windows 10 interface. Utilities such as StartAllBack and ExplorerPatcher allow for classic Start Menu designs and taskbar layouts, softening the UX transition for reluctant upgraders.
Still, users must weigh the long-term risks of running an operating system eventually left behind by the broader software and driver ecosystem. Eventually, only up-to-date hardware and software receive new features and fixes, a reality as old as personal computing itself.

Industry Trends: Planned Obsolescence, Security, and the Future of Windows​

Microsoft’s aggressive positioning of Windows 11 underscores deeper industry trends shaping the lifecycle of personal computers.

Planned Obsolescence—or Forward Progress?​

Critics argue that the jump in hardware requirements for Windows 11 embodies planned obsolescence, compelling consumers to upgrade for incremental benefits. Microsoft, for its part, frames the transition as necessary to realize its full security vision.
There is truth on both sides. PCs have grown far more powerful, efficient, and secure over the last decade. Meanwhile, software complexity—and the threat landscape—have also evolved. But the tension between innovation and unnecessary hardware churn is fraught, with environmental and economic consequences extending well beyond tech forums.

Security as a Defining Feature​

The push toward mandatory, hardware-enforced security features is not unique to Microsoft. Apple has steadily migrated its Mac platforms to secure enclaves and custom silicon, and enterprise Linux distributions are following suit with stricter secure boot requirements. As ransomware, phishing, and supply chain attacks grow more sophisticated, vendor emphasis on integrated hardware-software security is likely to accelerate, not reverse.
While this protects users, it also reduces autonomy—locking out older devices and less tech-savvy consumers from the latest defenses.

What Users Need to Know Before Upgrading​

Here are the takeaways, based on cross-verification of Microsoft claims and independent technical testing:

• Performance jumps depend on hardware, not Windows 11 alone. If your Windows 10 PC hails from 2018 or later and meets Windows 11’s requirements, don’t expect massive speed gains from the OS upgrade itself.
• Security is a legitimate advantage for new Windows 11 PCs. The combination of TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and Smart App Control brings real value, especially for business and at-risk users. However, much of this depends on up-to-date hardware and configurations.
• Older hardware is not inherently “obsolete.” High-quality machines from the late 2010s remain competent for many tasks, and with the ESU program, can stay secure (for a fee) beyond the October Windows 10 sunset.
• Marketing claims require a skeptical eye. Always verify whether performance or security statistics compare like with like—especially if you’re being asked to spend significant money on new hardware.

The Bottom Line​

Microsoft’s 2.3x Windows 11 speed claim, upon scrutiny, turns out to be a classic study in data cherry-picking. While there are meaningful advantages in security—and in long-term support—for those who leap to Windows 11 on new hardware, the dramatic performance improvements are due primarily to advances in CPUs, storage, and memory, not the operating system itself. Consumers deserve straightforward information to make the best decisions for their needs, their budgets, and for the environment.
As Windows 10’s end-of-life approaches, users should look beyond headlines and dig into credible, independent reviews and technical analyses before upgrading. The modern PC landscape is full of choices, but one thing is clear: the gap between marketing and reality has never been wider. Navigating this divide with a critical, informed perspective has never been more crucial.

---

Source: Tom's Hardware Microsoft’s sketchy Win 10 vs Win 11 performance claims pit a 9-year-old PC against a modern machine to claim 2.3X gain