Microsoft Admits Windows 11 Quality Problems: Removing Copilots, Improving Performance, Lowering RAM Usage
Microsoft has published a detailed quality improvement plan for Windows 11, acknowledging user frustration and promising to reduce unnecessary AI features, improve performance, and lower the OS's memory footprint.
The Confession
Windows EVP Pavan Davuluri: "What came through was the voice of people who care deeply about Windows and want it to be better."
Copilot Retreat
"You will see us be more intentional about how and where Copilot integrates across Windows, focusing on experiences that are genuinely useful and well crafted. As part of this, we are reducing unnecessary Copilot entry points, starting with apps like Snipping Tool, Photos, Widgets and Notepad."
This reads as an admission that Microsoft's aggressive AI integration was poorly received.
Performance Promises
- File Explorer: Faster launch, reduced flicker, smoother navigation
- File operations: Faster and more reliable copy/move for large files
- Search: Substantially lower latency for search, navigation, context menus
- Memory: Lowering baseline memory footprint — making Windows viable on 8GB RAM machines
- Bluetooth: Fixing flaky connection performance
- Sleep/Wake: Faster wake from sleep
- Widgets: Less intrusive behavior
- Windows Update: One-reboot-a-month option
WSL Improvements
- Faster file performance between Linux and Windows
- Improved network compatibility and throughput
- Streamlined first-time setup
- Better enterprise management with policy control
The Business Reality
Surging memory prices mean RAM alone accounts for over a third of a PC's price. Making Windows run well on 8GB isn't just a technical challenge — it's a commercial necessity to keep PC sales from slowing.
Source: The Register