Microsoft announces major Windows 11 updates designed to fix biggest flaws
March 21, 2026
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This is the moment Windows fans have been hoping would come. | Credit: Windows Central / Zac Bowden
Microsoft has officially announced its commitment to enhancing Windows 11, focusing on addressing the most pressing concerns expressed by users over the past two years. The updates will encompass a wide range of improvements, including system performance, reliability, and user interface adjustments, all aimed at creating a more seamless experience.
Pavan Davuluri, Executive Vice President of Windows & Devices at Microsoft, stated, “We are focusing on making Windows 11 more responsive and consistent, so performance feels smooth and reliable.” This year, users can expect significant enhancements in system performance, app responsiveness, and the functionality of tools like File Explorer and the Windows Subsystem for Linux, ensuring a quicker transition between applications and tasks.
By year’s end, Microsoft envisions a Windows 11 that is not only more responsive but also less resource-intensive, promising a faster and more consistent user experience with fewer interruptions from ads, AI features, and updates. The Windows Search function is also set for an upgrade, aiming to deliver quicker and more accurate results while providing a more cohesive experience across various search interfaces.
In collaboration with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and driver vendors, Microsoft is prioritizing the delivery of stable and high-quality drivers, which is expected to bolster the overall reliability of the operating system. Beyond backend improvements, the company is also addressing user feedback that directly impacts the overall experience. Notably, the long-requested feature to reposition the Taskbar will be reinstated, allowing users to customize their workspace further.
Power users, rejoice at the ability to move the Taskbar again! | Credit: Microsoft
Davuluri confirmed, “Repositioning the taskbar is one of the top asks we’ve heard from you. We are introducing the ability to reposition it to the top or sides of your screen, making it easier to personalize your workspace.” Additionally, Microsoft plans to leverage its native Windows UI framework, WinUI, across more system areas, including the Start menu, which has previously relied on React. This transition aims to enhance performance, supported by significant upgrades to WinUI scheduled for this year.
Furthermore, Windows Update will undergo improvements to provide users with greater control over the timing and installation of updates, including the option to pause updates indefinitely and minimize disruptions caused by restarts. In response to user feedback, Microsoft will also reduce the visibility of Copilot across the OS and limit the types of ads appearing in the Start menu’s Recommended feed, allowing users to disable them entirely.
Microsoft is easing off the gas when it comes to forced Windows Updates. | Credit: Screenshot: Windows Central / Laptop: Edited with Gemini
These announcements suggest that Microsoft is acknowledging past missteps with Windows 11 and is eager to regain user trust. The initiative, reportedly codenamed Windows K2, reflects a shift in priorities, with a focus on delivering these enhancements over other planned features for the year. The company aims to roll out many of these improvements in preview form in the coming months, with a clear manifesto outlining three core areas of focus: Performance, Reliability, and Craft.
Performance
The emphasis on performance will manifest in several key areas:
Improving system performance
Reducing resource usage to enhance performance.
Delivering faster, more responsive experiences, with early improvements already noted in apps like File Explorer.
Enhancing memory efficiency to lower the baseline memory footprint.
Ensuring consistent performance even under load.
More fluid and responsive app interactions
Reducing interaction latency by transitioning core experiences to the WinUI3 framework.
Improving the shared UI infrastructure to enhance responsiveness.
Increasing speed in core experiences like the Start menu.
Improving File Explorer fundamentals
Reducing latency and enhancing reliability across file operations.
Accelerating the copying and moving of large files.
Boosting responsiveness for common file tasks.
Elevating the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) experience
Enhancing performance and integration for developers using Linux tools on Windows.
Improving file performance and network compatibility.
Reliability
Reliability remains a cornerstone of user trust, and Microsoft is committed to enhancing the stability of its operating system:
Strengthening the Windows Insider Program
Providing clearer visibility into Insider builds.
Allowing users more control over feature trials.
Ensuring higher quality builds with rigorous validation.
Increasing OS, driver, and app reliability
Reducing OS-level crashes and improving driver quality.
Enhancing Bluetooth and USB stability.
Improving Windows Update experience
Minimizing disruption with a single monthly reboot.
Offering direct control over updates.
Improving Windows Hello biometric authentication
Enhancing facial recognition reliability.
Improving fingerprint sign-in speed.
Craft
Craft focuses on elevating usability through thoughtful design and refinement:
Improving the Start and taskbar experience
Ensuring consistent access to apps and files.
Expanding taskbar personalization options.
More focused user experience with fewer distractions
Streamlining device setup.
Reducing notifications to enhance focus.
Enhancing the Search experience
Delivering faster, more accurate search results.
Clarifying distinctions between local and web results.
You’ll be able to move the Taskbar to the top of the screen this year. | Credit: Screenshot: Mockup by Windows Central / PC: Edited with Gemini
Microsoft’s proactive approach signals a desire to mend its relationship with users, acknowledging past shortcomings while striving to enhance the Windows experience. The question remains: will these efforts be sufficient to restore positive sentiment towards Windows, or has the platform reached a point of no return?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
Microsoft announces major Windows 11 updates designed to fix biggest flaws
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
Microsoft has officially announced its commitment to enhancing Windows 11, focusing on addressing the most pressing concerns expressed by users over the past two years. The updates will encompass a wide range of improvements, including system performance, reliability, and user interface adjustments, all aimed at creating a more seamless experience.
Pavan Davuluri, Executive Vice President of Windows & Devices at Microsoft, stated, “We are focusing on making Windows 11 more responsive and consistent, so performance feels smooth and reliable.” This year, users can expect significant enhancements in system performance, app responsiveness, and the functionality of tools like File Explorer and the Windows Subsystem for Linux, ensuring a quicker transition between applications and tasks.
By year’s end, Microsoft envisions a Windows 11 that is not only more responsive but also less resource-intensive, promising a faster and more consistent user experience with fewer interruptions from ads, AI features, and updates. The Windows Search function is also set for an upgrade, aiming to deliver quicker and more accurate results while providing a more cohesive experience across various search interfaces.
In collaboration with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and driver vendors, Microsoft is prioritizing the delivery of stable and high-quality drivers, which is expected to bolster the overall reliability of the operating system. Beyond backend improvements, the company is also addressing user feedback that directly impacts the overall experience. Notably, the long-requested feature to reposition the Taskbar will be reinstated, allowing users to customize their workspace further.
Davuluri confirmed, “Repositioning the taskbar is one of the top asks we’ve heard from you. We are introducing the ability to reposition it to the top or sides of your screen, making it easier to personalize your workspace.” Additionally, Microsoft plans to leverage its native Windows UI framework, WinUI, across more system areas, including the Start menu, which has previously relied on React. This transition aims to enhance performance, supported by significant upgrades to WinUI scheduled for this year.
Furthermore, Windows Update will undergo improvements to provide users with greater control over the timing and installation of updates, including the option to pause updates indefinitely and minimize disruptions caused by restarts. In response to user feedback, Microsoft will also reduce the visibility of Copilot across the OS and limit the types of ads appearing in the Start menu’s Recommended feed, allowing users to disable them entirely.
These announcements suggest that Microsoft is acknowledging past missteps with Windows 11 and is eager to regain user trust. The initiative, reportedly codenamed Windows K2, reflects a shift in priorities, with a focus on delivering these enhancements over other planned features for the year. The company aims to roll out many of these improvements in preview form in the coming months, with a clear manifesto outlining three core areas of focus: Performance, Reliability, and Craft.
Performance
The emphasis on performance will manifest in several key areas:
Reliability
Reliability remains a cornerstone of user trust, and Microsoft is committed to enhancing the stability of its operating system:
Craft
Craft focuses on elevating usability through thoughtful design and refinement:
Microsoft’s proactive approach signals a desire to mend its relationship with users, acknowledging past shortcomings while striving to enhance the Windows experience. The question remains: will these efforts be sufficient to restore positive sentiment towards Windows, or has the platform reached a point of no return?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.