Microsoft outlines sweeping Windows 11 overhaul for 2026: Performance, UI, and a scaled-back Copilot
Microsoft has announced a series of updates and changes to Windows 11, focusing on system performance, reliability, user experience, and adjustments to the integration of its Copilot AI assistant. These changes are being rolled out through preview builds to Windows Insiders and are scheduled for wider release in 2026.
Roadmap and Timeline
Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft President for Windows and Devices, outlined a strategy for system improvements in late January 2026. The plan involves multiple internal teams and is scheduled for a phased rollout.
- March-April 2026: An initial wave of changes is rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Release Preview, Beta, Dev, and Canary channels.
- April 2026: An optional update is scheduled to deliver several of these changes to the general public.
- May 2026: The May 12, 2026, Patch Tuesday update is scheduled to make these changes mandatory for all users.
- Throughout 2026: Deeper optimizations and system-wide consistency fixes are planned for delivery through monthly updates.
System Performance and Reliability
Microsoft is implementing changes to improve the baseline performance and reliability of Windows 11.
- Memory and Boot: Efforts are underway to reduce the baseline memory footprint of the operating system and improve boot-up speed.
- Startup: The performance of launching applications configured to start with Windows has been improved.
- File Explorer: Performance improvements have been implemented to make File Explorer launch faster. An issue causing white background flashes in dark mode has been addressed. Changes have been made to improve the reliability of the "explorer.exe" process, including more reliable unpinning from Quick Access and more consistent folder view preferences.
- Storage: The performance of loading the Disks & Volumes page (Settings > System > Storage > Advanced Storage Settings) has been optimized for systems with large storage volumes. The FAT32 volume formatting size limit via command line has been increased from 32GB to 2TB. A bug causing unrealistic values in the Data Usage settings (Settings > Network & Internet) has been resolved.
- System Reliability: Microsoft is working to reduce OS-level crashes, enhance driver compatibility, and improve the reliability of hardware interactions including Bluetooth, USB devices, cameras, and audio devices. Audio reliability has been improved through better third-party driver compatibility with the midisrv.exe process.
- Delivery Optimization: Memory management for the Delivery Optimization service has been refined to reduce unexpected RAM consumption.
- Connectivity: Fixes are being applied for Bluetooth disconnects, pairing failures, and device switching. A new shared audio feature is being developed to enable simultaneous audio playback through two Bluetooth devices.
User Interface and Experience
Taskbar and Start Menu
- Taskbar Repositioning: Users will regain the ability to move the taskbar to the top, left, or right sides of the screen, and resize it with multiple size options.
- Start Menu: Core components of the Start menu are being migrated from React-based elements to native WinUI to improve speed and responsiveness. Interaction latency is expected to be reduced.
Dark Mode
- Efforts are underway to extend proper dark mode support to legacy and system UI elements, including the Run dialog, account dialogs, file property windows, and the Registry Editor.
Settings App
- More Settings pages are being redesigned for clarity. Navigation to the Installed Apps page has been stabilized. The user interface logic in the Location settings has been updated so secondary options are disabled when the master toggle is off.
Search
- Microsoft is adjusting search rankers to prioritize relevant local files and apps over web results. The company plans to introduce a toggle to allow users to disable web search results entirely. Substring search support, allowing users to find files by partial name matches, is also in development.
Widgets
- Widgets and the Discover feed will feature quieter defaults, better personalization, and increased user control over their appearance and behavior.
System Tray and Notifications
- System tray icon loading has been made more reliable. The operating system is being updated to feature fewer notifications and a less intrusive setup process.
Copilot AI Integration
Microsoft is significantly scaling back the presence of its Copilot AI assistant, removing "unnecessary entry points" from core apps and rebranding features.
- Reduced Integration: Microsoft has stated it will remove "unnecessary Copilot entry points" from applications including Snipping Tool, Photos, Widgets, and Notepad.
- Notepad Changes: In Notepad app version 11.2512.28.0, rolling out to Windows Insiders, the Copilot branding has been removed. The AI-powered menu is now labeled "writing tools" and retains its functionality. References to AI in the Settings area have been moved to a section labeled "Advanced features."
- Snipping Tool Changes: In the beta version of the Snipping Tool, the Copilot button no longer appears when a user selects an area for capture.
- Administrative Controls: A Group Policy setting has been added to disable Copilot. This option is available for Windows 11 Pro or higher, provided the user has not manually installed Copilot and has not launched it in the past 28 days.
Windows Update
- Reduced Disruptions: Updates are being redesigned to be less disruptive, featuring fewer automatic restarts and notifications, and the option to skip updates during initial device setup.
- Pause and Control: Users will gain the ability to pause updates for extended periods. The system is moving towards a single monthly reboot model associated with Patch Tuesday.
- OOBE: The out-of-box experience (OOBE) is being made faster with fewer steps. An internal effort is underway to provide an option to complete setup without a Microsoft account.
Security
- Windows Hello: Reliability improvements are being made for fingerprint recognition after waking from sleep and for face recognition. The update also improves the persistence of fingerprint enrollment data across system upgrades.
- Secure Boot: The Windows Security app now displays color-coded icon badges (green, yellow, red) alongside descriptive text showing the device's Secure Boot state and certificate status. This view is turned off by default on enterprise IT-managed devices.
- Kernel and Driver Security: Changes to the Windows kernel's trust model will remove default trust for cross-signed drivers, permitting only drivers from the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) and a specific allow list.
- Secure Batch Processing: A new secure processing mode for batch files has been introduced to prevent modification while they are executing.
Developer and Application Updates
- Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL): Major updates are planned, including optimized file access speeds between Linux and Windows, improved network performance, simplified onboarding, and stronger policy controls for enterprise use.
- Coreutils and WSL Containers: Updates to Coreutils and WSL containers are being added for developers.
- Native Apps: A dedicated team is being formed to build fully native Windows applications, reducing reliance on web-based wrappers.
- Feedback Hub: The Feedback Hub application is undergoing a major redesign to facilitate faster feedback submission, offer a cleaner interface, and improve community interaction.
Additional Updates
- Copilot for Microsoft 365: A visual overhaul for Copilot in Microsoft 365 applications has been introduced, featuring a predominantly black-and-white, text-focused design. The redesign is currently limited to Microsoft 365 productivity software.
- Windows 11 Build 26300.8170: This Dev Channel build includes the Secure Boot visibility updates, the FAT32 formatting size increase, storage navigation improvements, and Feedback Hub design refinements.
- Internal AI Tools: Microsoft is expanding the use of Anthropic's Claude Code across its engineering teams alongside its primary partnership with OpenAI.