With the impending end-of-life for Windows 10, Microsoft is keenly encouraging users to transition to Windows 11, ideally through the acquisition of new hardware. The tech giant has employed various strategies, including pop-up notifications and cautionary videos, to emphasize the importance of upgrading for security reasons. Recently, Microsoft published an article asserting the superiority of Windows 11 over its predecessor, particularly highlighting a claim that Windows 11 is 2.3 times faster than Windows 10. However, a closer examination reveals that this assertion may not be as straightforward as it seems.
Context Behind Microsoft’s Performance Claims
As noted by Tom’s Hardware, Microsoft’s article titled “Stay secure with Windows 11, Copilot+ PCs and Windows 365 before support ends for Windows 10” serves as a persuasive tool aimed at Windows 10 users. Within this piece, the company states:
“Faster and more efficient. Windows 11 continues to improve Windows update fundamentals, delivering faster monthly updates and smaller feature update downloads. This results in quicker response time when in sleep mode, faster web browsing, and overall improved performance. In fact, Windows 11 PCs are up to 2.3x faster than Windows 10 PCs.”
At first glance, this claim appears compelling. However, a deeper dive into the details reveals a critical distinction: Microsoft refers to the performance of Windows 11 PCs, not the operating system itself. This nuance is significant, as it implies that the observed speed increase is largely attributable to the hardware rather than the software.
To substantiate its claim, Microsoft cites testing conducted using Geekbench 6 Multi-Core benchmarks. The results compare a selection of Windows 10 PCs equipped with older Intel Core processors to newer Windows 11 systems featuring the latest Intel Core generations. The company notes:
“Performance will vary significantly by device and with settings, usage, and other factors.”
This statement underscores that the 2.3x performance boost is influenced primarily by the advancements in hardware rather than the inherent capabilities of Windows 11 itself. In essence, users upgrading from older Windows 10 machines to new Windows 11 devices will likely experience a notable performance enhancement, but this is due to the superior hardware specifications of the latter.
While Microsoft’s claim is not technically misleading, it could have benefitted from clearer communication. A more precise statement indicating that a new Windows 11 PC outperforms an older Windows 10 model would have conveyed the message without ambiguity. Such clarity would help users understand that the performance improvements are closely tied to hardware advancements rather than solely the operating system upgrade.
