Microsoft’s big-splash claim — that “Windows 11 PCs are up to 2.3× faster than Windows 10 PCs” — landed in a months‑long marketing push around the end‑of‑support deadline for Windows 10, but the assertion needs unpacking: it’s true in specific benchmark comparisons on modern hardware, and misleading if read as a guarantee that upgrading the OS alone will double or triple the speed of most existing PCs.
Windows 10 reached the end of mainstream support on October 14, 2025. After that date Microsoft stopped shipping free security and quality updates for standard Windows 10 installations; a one‑year consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program is available as a bridge for those who need it. Microsoft’s consumer ESU options include a free path for users who enable Windows Backup (sync to a Microsoft account), redemption through Microsoft Rewards, or a paid one‑time purchase (regional currency equivalents apply).
At the same time Microsoft has been actively encouraging migration to Windows 11 — not only because it is the supported platform, but because the company is tying Windows 11 to newer silicon, hardware‑based security (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot), and on‑device AI features such as Copilot and Copilot+ hardware. Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s consumer marketing lead, published a Windows Experience blog that showcases those benefits and includes the “up to 2.3× faster” claim based on Geekbench 6 testing.
That combination of an official deadline, paid ESU options, and a high‑profile marketing claim has produced a wave of coverage, consumer questions, and — predictably — pushback from independent testers and reviewers.
Key takeaway: the “up to 2.3×” number is grounded in a real benchmark run, but the benchmarking matrix mixes generations of CPUs and platforms — an approach that amplifies gains driven by silicon improvements as much or more than by OS code changes.
Put plainly: if you run Geekbench on a new CPU you will almost always see a large uplift over a much older CPU — regardless of the OS. That’s why Microsoft’s footnote about the test matrix matters; the hardware delta explains most of the 2.3× gap critics have highlighted.
Microsoft’s 2.3× claim did exactly what it was designed to do: create urgency around a migration story and spotlight the gains available on modern hardware running Windows 11. Independent verification shows the number is real in the context Microsoft specified, but that context is the crucial part of the story. For most users, the smarter question isn’t “Does Windows 11 promise 2.3× speed?” but “What will actually improve my security, reliability, and day‑to‑day productivity — and what is the least costly, lowest‑risk way to get those improvements?”
Conclusion: upgrade when it makes practical sense — driven by compatibility, security and measured gains in your own workload — and treat headline marketing figures as the starting point for further investigation, not the final word.
Source: GB News Switch to Windows 11 and your PC will be TWICE as fast, Microsoft claims
Windows 10 reached the end of mainstream support on October 14, 2025. After that date Microsoft stopped shipping free security and quality updates for standard Windows 10 installations; a one‑year consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program is available as a bridge for those who need it. Microsoft’s consumer ESU options include a free path for users who enable Windows Backup (sync to a Microsoft account), redemption through Microsoft Rewards, or a paid one‑time purchase (regional currency equivalents apply). At the same time Microsoft has been actively encouraging migration to Windows 11 — not only because it is the supported platform, but because the company is tying Windows 11 to newer silicon, hardware‑based security (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot), and on‑device AI features such as Copilot and Copilot+ hardware. Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s consumer marketing lead, published a Windows Experience blog that showcases those benefits and includes the “up to 2.3× faster” claim based on Geekbench 6 testing.
That combination of an official deadline, paid ESU options, and a high‑profile marketing claim has produced a wave of coverage, consumer questions, and — predictably — pushback from independent testers and reviewers.
What Microsoft actually said: the 2.3× figure explained
The precise claim and its provenance
Microsoft’s Windows Experience blog states the headline figure and points to test details: the comparison is based on Geekbench 6 multi‑core scores and contrasts a sampling of Windows 10 laptops (with 6th–11th Gen Intel chips) against newer Windows 11 laptops (12th–13th Gen Intel). In other words, those test results are a hardware‑plus‑software comparison, not a controlled experiment that isolates the OS as the only variable.Key takeaway: the “up to 2.3×” number is grounded in a real benchmark run, but the benchmarking matrix mixes generations of CPUs and platforms — an approach that amplifies gains driven by silicon improvements as much or more than by OS code changes.
What Geekbench measures (and what it doesn’t)
Geekbench is a widely used synthetic benchmark that produces single‑ and multi‑core CPU scores by running a mix of simulated workloads. The multi‑core score is sensitive to core counts, core efficiency, clock‑speeds, how the OS schedules threads across different kinds of cores (performance vs efficiency cores), and other platform features. Geekbench’s tests are useful for relative CPU comparisons, but they are not a perfect proxy for every real‑world workflow (office apps, web browsing, media editing, gaming, or startup latency), and a single benchmark cannot capture everything.Put plainly: if you run Geekbench on a new CPU you will almost always see a large uplift over a much older CPU — regardless of the OS. That’s why Microsoft’s footnote about the test matrix matters; the hardware delta explains most of the 2.3× gap critics have highlighted.
Independent verification and critical reaction
Multiple reputable outlets and hardware reviewers examined the claim and reached the same conclusion: the test highlighted hardware progress more than a pure OS improvement.- Tom’s Hardware ran through Microsoft’s test matrix and flagged that the Windows 10 systems used in the comparison included chips that are several generations older than the Windows 11 machines — a methodological choice that inflates perceived OS gains.
- TechRadar and PCWorld echoed that view, pointing out the mix of old and new silicon and explaining why a more rigorous test would run both operating systems on identical hardware.
Why Microsoft made this comparison (the marketing and product context)
Microsoft’s messaging is multi‑pronged and time‑sensitive:- Windows 10’s end of support created urgency and a narrow decision window for many consumers.
- Windows 11’s ship‑level benefits (hardware‑assisted security, VBS/HVCI, Copilot integration, and optimized servicing such as enablement packages for 25H2) are easier to sell when paired with new hardware that actually exposes the benefits.
- Copilot and Copilot+ positioning specifically ties new AI experiences to machines with NPUs and newer silicon, which naturally favor newer Windows 11‑certified devices.
The tangible engineering and user benefits of Windows 11
While the 2.3× headline is the attention‑grabber, Windows 11 does contain legitimate, verifiable technical and UX improvements that matter to many users:- Security improvements: TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, virtualization‑based security (VBS) and Hypervisor‑Protected Code Integrity (HVCI) raise the baseline difficulty for kernel‑level compromise and ransomware exploits on supported hardware. These are architecture changes, not marketing claims. If you have compatible hardware and enable those features, your system is measurably harder to exploit.
- Update servicing improvements: Microsoft has shifted to enablement packages for recent yearly updates (e.g., the 25H2 enablement package) that reduce downtime and patching surface friction. For devices already on the same servicing branch, upgrades can be a quick enable/disable switch with a single restart rather than an hours‑long code swap. That’s a practical, verifiable improvement in update ergonomics for end users and IT teams.
- Modern UX and productivity features: Tabbed File Explorer, integrated OCR in Snipping Tool, Clipchamp integration, and Copilot integrations are real shipped features that change day‑to‑day workflows for power users. These are visible, tangible UX wins for many.
The risks and real‑world trade‑offs
Upgrade decisions should weigh both gains and costs. The headline “2.3× faster” masks several practical risks and tradeoffs:- Apples‑to‑oranges comparisons: If you expect a big speed boost from doing a pure OS upgrade on the same hardware, you will usually be disappointed. The big wins Microsoft cites come when you pair Windows 11 with modern silicon. Independent tests generally show small to negligible OS‑only gains on the same machine.
- Hardware requirements and e‑waste: Windows 11’s minimums (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, supported CPU generations) exclude many otherwise serviceable machines. Analysts warned that enforcing those requirements could push hundreds of millions of devices toward replacement, with sustainability, cost, and electronic waste implications. If you can’t or won’t replace hardware, that’s a meaningful downside.
- Performance tradeoffs from stronger security: Enabling VBS/HVCI can add overhead for latency‑sensitive workloads (certain games, real‑time audio, or specialized creative tools) unless drivers and firmware are optimized. In some workloads, users have seen double‑digit performance hits when virtualization‑based protections are enabled without full ecosystem support.
- Privacy and account nudges: Windows 11 continues to favor Microsoft account sign‑in, OneDrive integration, and in‑OS suggestions/upsells (Microsoft 365, Copilot trials). Some users find the default telemetry and account nudges intrusive; privacy‑conscious users may need to take several manual steps to reduce telemetry and cloud integration.
- ESU limitations: The consumer ESU option covers only critical and important security updates; it does not include general support, feature updates, or reliability fixes. It’s a temporary bridge, not a permanent solution. Pricing and enrollment routes vary by region and are subject to Microsoft’s published terms.
Practical guidance: how to interpret Microsoft’s claim and decide what to do
For everyday users and IT decision‑makers, here are pragmatic, step‑by‑step recommendations:- Check compatibility first: run Microsoft’s PC Health Check or OEM tools to determine whether your machine meets Windows 11 minimums (CPU, TPM 2.0, UEFI/Secure Boot, RAM, and disk). If your device is eligible, upgrading is free and restores vendor support.
- Backup before you touch anything: create a full image backup or use a reliable cloud + local file backup strategy. Test your backups by restoring a small sample to validate the process.
- If you’re chasing speed, measure before and after: run representative real‑world tests (app startup, file copy, measured task times) rather than relying on a single synthetic benchmark. If you must use synthetic tools, run a small battery of tests (Geekbench 6, real app workloads, browser benchmarks) and average results.
- For incompatible hardware, evaluate options: pay for ESU as a stopgap, migrate critical workloads to a Cloud PC or virtual machine, switch to a lightweight Linux distribution or ChromeOS Flex for older devices, or budget for a hardware refresh. ESU is not a long‑term replacement for a supported OS.
- Pilot before mass rollouts: enterprises and power users should test critical apps and drivers on Windows 11 in a controlled pilot before upgrading production systems. Driver readiness is often the largest barrier to a smooth experience.
- Audit privacy defaults: after upgrade, review telemetry, Microsoft account sign‑in options, OneDrive defaults, and Copilot configuration. If you want to minimize cloud ties, plan those settings during the first boot or via group policy in managed environments.
How to read marketing claims about performance
When vendors publish “up to” performance figures, treat them as directional, conditional numbers — not promises you’ll see the same result on your hardware. A short checklist for evaluating such claims:- Look for the test matrix: Are the OS and hardware the same across both sides of the comparison? If not, the result likely conflates hardware gains with software changes.
- Check the benchmark suite: Is the claim based on a single synthetic test or a broad variety of workloads?
- Verify third‑party tests: Independent labs and reviewers can confirm whether the improvement generalizes across use cases.
- Ask how measurable gains apply to your workload: office productivity, web browsing, media editing and gaming stress different subsystems; a CPU multi‑core uplift may matter less than I/O, GPU, or driver maturity in many real tasks.
Specific claims to be cautious about (unverified or context‑sensitive)
- The headline “Microsoft will start DELETING your passwords next month” is a sensational framingsometimes seen in headlines. There are legitimate account‑and‑credential management changes over time (security policies, forced removals of weak saved credentials, or changes to how local vs cloud credentials are handled), but broad claims of mass deletion should be treated as dubious until Microsoft posts specific guidance. Always verify with Microsoft’s official docs before accepting alarming headlines at face value.
- Country‑level user counts and precise forecasts (for example, “5 million Britons still rely on Windows 10”) are often estimates from market trackers or polling. These numbers can be directionally right but are easy to misstate; treat them as approximate unless they come from a transparent, recent telemetry dataset.
Verdict: what the 2.3× headline actually means for most readers
- If you buy a brand‑new Windows 11‑certified laptop with a 12th/13th Gen Intel CPU (or equivalent modern silicon with NPUs and faster memory subsystems), you will very likely see noticeable performance and responsiveness gains over a many‑year‑old Windows 10 laptop — in many workflows, sometimes substantially so. That’s the scenario Microsoft illustrated and it is valid.
- If you expect your existing Windows 10 laptop to suddenly feel 2.3× faster after applying an in‑place OS upgrade to Windows 11 on the same hardware, you’re unlikely to achieve that result; most independent testing shows far smaller OS‑only deltas.
- The security argument is the stronger, more durable one: remaining on an unsupported OS is a real risk. Enablement packages, modern hardware security features, and ongoing patching all deliver measurable defensive advantages for supported Windows 11 systems. The choice between upgrading hardware, enrolling in ESU, or switching platforms should be driven primarily by security and compatibility needs, not marketing multipliers.
Final recommendations (concise checklist)
- If your device is eligible for Windows 11 and you care about ongoing security updates, upgrade after a verified backup and a brief pilot.
- If your device is ineligible, evaluate ESU as a time‑limited safety net and plan a longer‑term route (new hardware, cloud PC, or alternative OS).
- Don’t buy new hardware solely for a marketing multiplier. Buy it because you need better battery life, improved security features, or specific AI/offline NPU capabilities that matter to your workflows.
- Measure what matters: test your actual apps before and after any change. Use synthetic benchmarks only as one input, not the whole story.
Microsoft’s 2.3× claim did exactly what it was designed to do: create urgency around a migration story and spotlight the gains available on modern hardware running Windows 11. Independent verification shows the number is real in the context Microsoft specified, but that context is the crucial part of the story. For most users, the smarter question isn’t “Does Windows 11 promise 2.3× speed?” but “What will actually improve my security, reliability, and day‑to‑day productivity — and what is the least costly, lowest‑risk way to get those improvements?”
Conclusion: upgrade when it makes practical sense — driven by compatibility, security and measured gains in your own workload — and treat headline marketing figures as the starting point for further investigation, not the final word.
Source: GB News Switch to Windows 11 and your PC will be TWICE as fast, Microsoft claims