Microsoft Vows Faster Boot Times and Improved Performance in Upcoming Windows 11 Updates

Microsoft has reaffirmed its commitment to improving Windows 11 for users. At IFA 2026, Mark Linton, Corporate Vice President of Windows & Devices at Microsoft, spoke about upcoming enhancements to the operating system. Linton highlighted plans to reduce boot times and improve responsiveness with Windows Hello.

Linton emphasized that Microsoft is continuously listening to customer feedback and working on fundamental improvements to the OS. This includes addressing performance and reliability issues while giving users more control over the interface and Windows Update. File Explorer is also expected to become more responsive, and memory consumption by Windows is set to decrease.

Some of these changes have already begun rolling out, including features like moving and shrinking the taskbar, resizing the Start menu, and hiding unwanted sections. Search has received a cleaner interface and an option to disable web results. Additionally, the Low Latency Profile can improve launch speeds for Windows components and third-party apps.

Microsoft's claims about running Windows 11 on 8GB machines have raised eyebrows, given that even Microsoft's own 8GB Surface Laptop struggled with basic tasks in a recent review. However, Linton did not provide specific details on how much faster the changes will make boot times.