Microsoft announces Windows 11 performance and feature updates

Microsoft is implementing several updates to Windows 11 aimed at improving system performance, hardware accessibility, and user customization.

To support more modest hardware, Microsoft is optimizing the operating system to run more fluidly on devices with only 8 GB of RAM, a shift from the previous 16 GB recommendation. These improvements include faster boot times and more responsive biometric authentication via Windows Hello. Additionally, a new ‘Low Latency Profile’ uses a ‘race to sleep’ technique to boost CPU frequency during application launches, speeding up software like Steam or Epic Games without significantly impacting battery life or temperature.

For Copilot+ PC users, new AI-driven features are being introduced, such as ‘Recall’ for searching past activities and ‘Click to Do’ for text summarization and image background removal. Microsoft is also reportedly working to restore long-requested customization options, such as the ability to reposition the taskbar and adjust the size of the Start menu, potentially arriving in updates scheduled for late 2026.