Ever since its debut, Windows 11 has existed under the shadow of performance debates and skepticism from its user base. When Microsoft first introduced Windows 11, the company boldly proclaimed that the latest operating system was engineered to fully leverage modern hardware, even demonstrating advantages over Windows 10 in speed and efficiency. Yet, as months rolled into years, the promise of a dramatically faster Windows experience has not been consistently evident to the broader community. As Windows 11 25H2 approaches general release, Microsoft is making renewed commitments—backed by tangible system-level changes—to finally deliver on the performance leap that many users have long awaited.
In its earliest presentations, Microsoft was emphatic that Windows 11 would outclass Windows 10, in part due to optimizations targeting new hardware architectures like Intel’s hybrid “Big-Bigger” CPUs and AMD’s evolving chipsets. Marketing materials showcased streamlined memory management, more efficient battery handling, and enhanced responsiveness throughout the interface. Microsoft went so far as to cite performance benchmarks and user studies claiming that tasks on Windows 11 could be up to 2.3 times faster than in Windows 10—though on closer examination, these tests often pitted Windows 11 running on high-end, newer hardware against Windows 10 on comparatively outdated systems. This apples-to-oranges comparison drew criticism for producing results that may not reflect real-world upgrades for the average user.
Independent reviewers and experienced users soon began to publish their own comparative tests, and a more nuanced picture emerged. While certain UX elements—such as the DWM (Desktop Window Manager), Start menu, and clipboard handling—saw marginal speed improvements over Windows 10, many day-to-day workflows remained indistinguishable in terms of responsiveness. For users with older or mid-range hardware, the perceived difference often tilted in the opposite direction, with Windows 11 at times feeling heavier or slower due to its advanced UI effects, strict security requirements, and increased background services.
But these claims have faced skepticism for several reasons:
Logs are stored locally by default (under
Professional reviewers generally echo these sentiments. While many welcome Microsoft’s increased transparency and renewed focus on user-reported data, they note that the real-world speed gap versus Windows 10 remains a question of degree, not kind. The clearest winners are those running the very latest hardware, with incremental—but not transformational—improvements for everyone else.
Success, however, will come down to execution and candor. Microsoft must ensure that performance testimonials are borne out by diverse, reproducible tests, and not just cherry-picked highlight reels. The company should adopt a humble, user-first communication style—acknowledging limitations, prioritizing legacy hardware where possible, and leveraging real community data as the foundation for further improvements.
The coming months will be pivotal. If 25H2 manages to visibly reduce sluggishness, close the perceptual gap with Windows 10, and earn the trust of power users and everyday customers alike, it could mark an inflection point in the Windows 11 story. Conversely, if perceived sluggishness persists, Microsoft may need to radically rethink its approach to OS development, prioritizing raw performance alongside security and features in equal measure.
For now, all eyes will be on the rollout of Windows 11 25H2—and on whether Microsoft’s serious, data-driven commitment can finally deliver the Windows experience that was promised from the very start.
Source: Neowin Microsoft makes serious "commitment" to boost Windows 11 25H2 performance
The Long Road from Promise to Perception
In its earliest presentations, Microsoft was emphatic that Windows 11 would outclass Windows 10, in part due to optimizations targeting new hardware architectures like Intel’s hybrid “Big-Bigger” CPUs and AMD’s evolving chipsets. Marketing materials showcased streamlined memory management, more efficient battery handling, and enhanced responsiveness throughout the interface. Microsoft went so far as to cite performance benchmarks and user studies claiming that tasks on Windows 11 could be up to 2.3 times faster than in Windows 10—though on closer examination, these tests often pitted Windows 11 running on high-end, newer hardware against Windows 10 on comparatively outdated systems. This apples-to-oranges comparison drew criticism for producing results that may not reflect real-world upgrades for the average user.Independent reviewers and experienced users soon began to publish their own comparative tests, and a more nuanced picture emerged. While certain UX elements—such as the DWM (Desktop Window Manager), Start menu, and clipboard handling—saw marginal speed improvements over Windows 10, many day-to-day workflows remained indistinguishable in terms of responsiveness. For users with older or mid-range hardware, the perceived difference often tilted in the opposite direction, with Windows 11 at times feeling heavier or slower due to its advanced UI effects, strict security requirements, and increased background services.
Microsoft’s Historical Claims vs. User Experience
Despite mixed user feedback, Microsoft has remained consistent in its narrative, regularly emphasizing measured improvements across a range of metrics. In mid-2023, the company released new statistics highlighting better wake-from-sleep times, more efficient app launches, and lower idle power draw in Windows 11 compared to Windows 10. According to Microsoft's telemetry, even subtle system components like the clipboard saw optimization for speed and reliability—a claim repeated in several blog posts and developer talks.But these claims have faced skepticism for several reasons:
- Selection Bias in Benchmarks: Microsoft’s in-house tests often compare Windows 11 on premium, current-generation hardware to Windows 10 on prior models, masking the impact of the hardware leap rather than the software improvement alone.
- Real-World Variability: Metrics presented by Microsoft tend to focus on isolated or idealized scenarios, whereas the lived experience is shaped by a broader range of workloads, peripherals, and third-party software.
- Unclear Attribution of Gains: Windows 11 requires newer hardware features (like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot), making it challenging to perform direct, apples-to-apples testing for most users. The reported performance gains may be intertwined with the requisite hardware upgrade path.
The 25H2 Update: A Turning Point for Performance?
With the forthcoming Windows 11 25H2 update, Microsoft appears to be taking a more transparent and systematic approach to tackling performance complaints. The most glaring signal is the integration of automated performance logging. In recent Dev and Beta builds, Windows 11 can now detect moments of system sluggishness, generating detailed diagnostic logs that are saved locally and can be automatically shared with Microsoft when users file relevant feedback. This process—laid out in new documentation for Windows Insiders—represents a step change from previous ad-hoc feedback collection, as it arms engineers with direct empirical data about slowdowns across a wide range of configurations.Logs are stored locally by default (under
%systemRoot%\Temp\DiagOutputDir\Whesvc) and only transmitted to Microsoft if users submit them through the Feedback Hub using the appropriate category. This initiative not only puts a finer point on Microsoft’s commitment to understanding performance issues, but also highlights a renewed focus on addressing sluggishness in real-world settings rather than controlled labs.Key Innovations in 25H2
Beyond just log collection, 25H2 brings several technical enhancements:- Improved Driver Handling: Microsoft is revamping how third-party drivers are tested and distributed, aiming to ensure smoother and faster hardware compatibility out of the box. By tightening validation standards and continuous integration pipelines with OEM partners, Microsoft is attempting to reduce the driver-related sluggishness that has plagued many legacy devices since Windows 11’s launch.
- System Resource Management: Early Insider Preview notes reference improvements in memory management and task prioritization, particularly when the system is under moderate or heavy load. This is designed to minimize background drain and keep the user interface more responsive even amidst competing processes.
- Under-the-hood UX Tweaks: While not as immediately visible, Microsoft has hinted at micro-optimizations in components like File Explorer, Taskbar rendering, and Settings navigation. These small changes, accumulated across dozens of system modules, target milliseconds saved on every dialog or menu.
Strengths: Where Microsoft’s Commitments Are Paying Off
It’s important to recognize progress where it is genuinely evident:- Focus on Transparency and User Data: By automating the collection and submission of performance logs, Microsoft is enlisting the community in a more scientific diagnosis of pain points. This could help overcome historical reliance on indirect reporting or synthetic benchmarks. If the system works as intended, feedback will become faster, more actionable, and more likely to produce fixes that matter across the installed base.
- Modern Driver Ecosystem: The renewed effort to certify and vet third-party drivers should yield a more stable experience for both new and existing hardware. One chronic complaint in both Windows 10 and earlier versions of Windows 11 was inconsistent driver support during feature updates—frequently leading to random crashes, device dropouts, or inexplicable slowdowns. By formalizing this pipeline, Microsoft could cut down on these issues and help OEMs accelerate support for new devices.
- Chip-Specific Scheduling Gains: Windows 11 has always aspired to squeeze the most out of advanced CPUs with asymmetric core arrangements—such as Intel’s Alder Lake, Raptor Lake, and AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series. With every release, Microsoft further tunes its scheduler to exploit high-efficiency and high-performance cores more intelligently, which benchmarks show can result in smoother multitasking and slightly higher sustained throughput under load.
Risks and Unresolved Issues
Despite these positives, several risks remain:- User Skepticism and Fatigue: Years of ambitious promises—from both Microsoft and rival OS vendors—have bred a wary user base. Each “performance improvement” headline is met with increasingly critical scrutiny, and failure to deliver palpable speed boosts could perpetuate the cycle of mistrust. For Microsoft, the best strategy will be to pair technical communication with honest, user-centric performance validation, including acknowledging shortcomings on legacy hardware.
- Overreliance on User Feedback: The new log-driven strategy depends on users actively submitting issue reports. Many users may not realize that their data is only shared if they open the Feedback Hub and use the correct category, creating a potential gap in the coverage of real-world problems. Automated, opt-in diagnostics might cover more ground, but raise their own privacy and consent concerns.
- Inconsistent Delivery Across Hardware: While premium systems benefit most from modern drivers, advanced power management, and aggressive scheduler tweaks, older and lower-cost devices may not enjoy the same gains—particularly if OEMs fail to deliver timely firmware or driver updates. There is a real risk that Windows 11’s performance improvements further exacerbate the digital divide between new and legacy hardware.
- Unverifiable Claims: Some of Microsoft’s most impressive numbers—for example, the oft-cited claim of 2.3x better performance—are rarely reproducible in independent labs, especially outside of vendor-chosen test cases. Caution is warranted when evaluating such claims, and users are best served by community-published, third-party benchmarks that reflect their own workloads and devices.
Community Reaction: Hopeful, but Cautiously So
Browsing through popular forums—such as Reddit’s r/Windows11, Microsoft’s own Feedback Hub, and platforms like Neowin—reveals a profile of growing yet measured optimism. Some Insiders have reported tangible improvements in system feel, with faster wake times and snappier UI transitions in recent 25H2 builds. Others maintain that the difference is “barely noticeable,” arguing that Windows 11’s baseline performance ceiling remains fundamentally similar to Windows 10 barring a hardware refresh.Professional reviewers generally echo these sentiments. While many welcome Microsoft’s increased transparency and renewed focus on user-reported data, they note that the real-world speed gap versus Windows 10 remains a question of degree, not kind. The clearest winners are those running the very latest hardware, with incremental—but not transformational—improvements for everyone else.
How to Make the Most of Performance Gains in Windows 11 25H2
For users looking to maximize the benefits of 25H2, several best practices are emerging:- Stay Current on Drivers: With the improved driver testing and distribution pipeline in 25H2, users should ensure that all system drivers—especially those for chipsets, graphics, and networking—are up-to-date. Microsoft’s own Windows Update service is increasingly reliable, but visiting manufacturer websites for the latest releases remains a good habit.
- Engage with the Feedback Hub: When experiencing slowdowns or unexplained lag, submitting feedback is more effective than ever before. Using the correct System Sluggishness category ensures relevant logs are attached, helping Microsoft act swiftly.
- Leverage Built-in Diagnostic Tools: Windows 11’s built-in Task Manager, Resource Monitor, and the new automated log collection can help users self-diagnose and understand bottlenecks, paving the way for informed troubleshooting.
- Evaluate Upgrade Paths: Some of the most meaningful performance improvements will always come with new hardware, particularly CPUs and SSDs that align with Windows 11’s design priorities. For those holding onto older, unsupported systems, upgrading may be the only path to unlocking the OS’s full potential.
Looking Forward: Can Microsoft Restore Trust in the Windows Update Cycle?
With Windows 11 25H2, Microsoft is showing signs of a shift towards genuine user advocacy—moving away from marketing-driven narratives to a more empirical, problem-solving approach. This is both necessary and overdue. The integration of sophisticated, user-driven diagnostics, paired with a redoubled effort on driver stability, represents the best chance yet to bridge the gap between expectation and reality for Windows 11 performance.Success, however, will come down to execution and candor. Microsoft must ensure that performance testimonials are borne out by diverse, reproducible tests, and not just cherry-picked highlight reels. The company should adopt a humble, user-first communication style—acknowledging limitations, prioritizing legacy hardware where possible, and leveraging real community data as the foundation for further improvements.
The coming months will be pivotal. If 25H2 manages to visibly reduce sluggishness, close the perceptual gap with Windows 10, and earn the trust of power users and everyday customers alike, it could mark an inflection point in the Windows 11 story. Conversely, if perceived sluggishness persists, Microsoft may need to radically rethink its approach to OS development, prioritizing raw performance alongside security and features in equal measure.
For now, all eyes will be on the rollout of Windows 11 25H2—and on whether Microsoft’s serious, data-driven commitment can finally deliver the Windows experience that was promised from the very start.
Source: Neowin Microsoft makes serious "commitment" to boost Windows 11 25H2 performance
