- Windows 11 is set to receive major gaming performance improvements in 2026.
- The wave of updates targets scheduling, background tasks, graphics, and drivers.
- Auto SR will expand to handhelds starting with Xbox Ally X, and Advanced Shader Delivery will cut stutter and load times.
- Also, the Xbox Full Screen Experience is coming to more Windows 11 devices.
Microsoft has confirmed it is preparing a wave of performance-focused enhancements for Windows 11, specifically for gamers. While the company has not disclosed the full scope of the changes, the update is slated to arrive sometime in 2026 and is designed to strengthen the position of Windows 11 as the preferred platform for PC gaming.
The announcement was briefly mentioned at the end of a Windows Blog post summarizing the platform improvements delivered throughout 2025.
Microsoft explains that the upcoming updates will focus on four core areas, including smarter background workload handling, more efficient power and processor scheduling, optimizations across the graphics stack, and updated drivers.
In addition, Super Resolution (Auto SR) is expanding in 2026 to support handheld gaming devices. The feature will debut on the Xbox Ally X and eventually roll out to other handhelds. Auto SR originally launched exclusively on Copilot+ PCs powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X-series chips.
The company is also developing Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD), a technology designed to preload game shaders during the download process. ASD will reduce stutter, shorten initial load times, and lower power consumption during first-time game launches, thereby improving battery life.
Microsoft further plans to expand the availability of the Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) next year. Today, FSE is exclusive to handheld form factors, but the expansion will bring a more console-like full-screen interface to a wider range of consumer devices.
The software giant is already testing this feature for all PCs in the latest preview of the operating system through the Windows Insider Program, but you can use this workaround to force-enable the Full Screen Experience on version 25H2.
These changes are promising, but they also highlight Microsoft’s increased urgency as competition intensifies. Valve’s push toward new Linux-powered Steam Machines hardware has shifted attention away from Windows and pressured the company to respond.
Furthermore, in my opinion, the enthusiast community is currently at one of Windows 11’s lowest points due to various factors, including the decline in update quality, which has negatively affected the experience and performance in many cases. In addition, the aggressive push of AI features into the operating system is causing dislike and frustration among users who never asked for AI features in the first place.
If you want to optimize Windows 11 for gaming, you don’t have to wait until 2026. You can customize various features to speed up Windows 11 performance and improve your gaming experience.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech in 2010. With over 22 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
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