Windows 11 Boot Times Set for Significant Speed Boost

Microsoft is working to speed up Windows 11's boot times and improve overall performance. A Microsoft executive, Mark Linton, VP of Windows & Devices, confirmed at IFA 2026 that they've made significant gains on boot time and Windows Hello responsiveness.

Linton emphasized the company's commitment to getting Windows 11 running smoothly on lower-end PCs with 8GB of RAM, which is becoming increasingly common due to the RAM crisis driving up notebook prices. While he didn't provide specific performance estimates, the focus on improving fundamentals and optimizing for 8GB of RAM suggests a notable improvement in boot speeds.

The improvements are part of a larger effort to make Windows 11 faster overall, including more responsive menus and quicker app loading times. A CPU-boosting feature called 'Low Latency Profile' is already rolling out to address the latter issue.