Microsoft is enhancing Windows 11 performance through its Windows K2 initiative, which involves moving core OS elements to WinUI 3, Windows' native framework.
Beyond rebuilding components like the Start menu, Microsoft is also improving WinUI itself. A GitHub post by software engineer Beth Pan details work to boost WinUI performance, stating, 'Our mission is to make WinUI 3 the best native UI platform for Windows experiences and apps, and performance is at the heart of that effort.'
Efforts focus on launch times, using File Explorer and Notepad as benchmarks. Improvements to WinUI have already reduced File Explorer launch delays. Microsoft expects these changes to hit the development branch soon, followed by the winui3/main branch.
Pan noted that framework improvements are coordinated with other Windows teams to ensure end-to-end performance gains. Additionally, features like Low Latency Profile mode, which briefly boosts CPU frequency, complement these efforts.
Windows 11 has faced criticism for slow loading times. By shifting elements to WinUI, enhancing the framework, and deploying features like Low Latency Profile mode, Microsoft aims to deliver a much faster experience.