Microsoft listens to users and promises improvements to Windows 11. Understand why.

O Windows 11 It has become the target of much criticism in recent years due to design decisions, the removal of features present in previous versions, and an exaggerated focus on AI integration with the... CopilotGiven this scenario, the ecosystem published an open letter promising a series of changes in 2026, seeking improvements in performance and stability. Learn more:

User reviews and loss of trust

Criticized since its release, the Windows 11 It displeased the public in many ways, with the main complaints relating to the lack of customization options, performance issues in File Explorer, and the way AI features were implemented with the Copilot.

Amid the criticism, the Windows 11 reinforced the history of ecosystem The company faced the challenge of launching a competent operating system followed by another that displeases users. In this scenario, the company saw Linux, a rival to... Windows...gaining ground on PCs and portable devices. With good scalability, robust support, and being an open-source operating system, Linux has increased the pressure on the system... ecosystem.

Now, the company is willing to deliver improvements after acknowledging user complaints. ecosystem is working on changes that seek regain trust in the operating system.

Open letter from Microsoft

In a publication in Windows Blog, Pavan Davuluri, current executive vice president of Windows[Name], shared the team's plan for the coming months, revealing that community feedback was important in defining the changes that will arrive in 2026. See part of the open letter:

Based on these changes, what follows is our broader plan and focus areas for the year, aimed at raising the quality standard of Windows 11. Work is already underway. You will see tangible progress as you test the preview versions we release throughout the rest of the year.

Last night, I had the opportunity to meet with a small group of Windows Insiders here in Seattle to listen, answer questions, and share more about our plans for the future. The Seattle meeting was the first of several stops our team will make to engage in person with the Windows community in more cities around the world.

Thank you for holding us to such high standards. Windows is as much yours as it is ours. We are committed to strengthening its foundation and delivering innovation where it truly matters: to you.

Pavan Davuluri, head of the Windows division.

According to Davuluri, the team's focus is on delivering improvements in performance, stability, and interface. ecosystem will implement changes and make new features available. gradually over the next few months.

See what changes:

Less forced Copilot integration

After the community showed reluctance regarding the way the Copilot was being integrated into Windows, ecosystem The company decided to adopt a new approach. It intends to be more careful in how the resource will be used.

In this way, the Copilot Some features will be removed from applications such as Snipping Tool, Photos, Notepad, and Widgets. AI integration will become less forced, making the feature less intrusive in users' daily lives.

Improvements to File Explorer

One of the most used areas of Windows 11File Explorer is a crucial feature for users. Among the promises for 2026, the ecosystem He stated that it will make the explorer "faster and more reliable".

In the first round of improvements, the company will reduce startup times, as well as fix visual instabilities in the interface. File Explorer should also become smoother to use.

Taskbar with more customization

While seeking to regain the community's trust, the ecosystem This will deliver more taskbar customization options, something users have been requesting for a long time. According to the company, it will be possible to reposition the taskbar to the top or sides of the screen. The feature existed in previous versions of the operating system, but was removed in this update. Windows 11.

Offering greater freedom when moving the taskbar, the ecosystem It aims to make it easier to personalize the workspace, allowing for an experience that fits each user's preferences.

Improvements to widget updates and control.

O Windows Update Users will also benefit from the series of changes. The service will have fewer interruptions, with updates becoming more "predictable and easier to plan." Users will be able, during system setup, to restart or shut down their computer without automatically installing updates and pause updates for longer periods when necessary.

The company also intends to reduce automatic notifications and restarts. Furthermore, stating that widgets “should be useful and relevant,” the company aims to improve its performance. ecosystem also planned improvements for increase control of user.

Better overall performance and greater reliability.

To increase the reliability of the system, the ecosystem The company states that overall stability will be a priority. They are working to reduce operating system failures and improve the quality of drivers and applications, ensuring more consistent performance in daily use.

With fewer crashes, the expectation is to make the experience more enjoyable. As part of this process, the Windows 11 It should also become faster and more consistent, offering better app responsiveness and smoother navigation.

To achieve these improvements, the ecosystem It will make internal changes to the system interface, including migrating components to the WinUI3 framework, which should reduce latency in interactions and improve overall performance.

The company also promises progress in the search for WindowsIn addition to faster file copying and moving, features like the Start menu should respond more quickly, while the interface will be simplified to reduce distractions during use.

Another point mentioned is the improvement in memory efficiency, with reduced basic system consumption to free up more resources for applications, resulting in more stable and responsive performance.

Feedback Hub and Windows Insider program

O Comments Hub It will feature a redesigned interface and new options to make it easier to submit suggestions and report errors. ecosystem It seeks to make it more practical to share feedback about the system. In addition, the program Windows Insider It will also be affected, becoming simpler and detailing more clearly what each channel offers.

The announced changes should first reach the program. Windows Insider before they become available to all users. However, the open letter shows that the community's criticisms about the Windows 11 They have had an effect and should result in significant changes in the coming months.

So, do you think these new features will be enough to restore confidence in the operating system? Tell us in the comments!

See also:

Text revised by Alexandre Marques in 24 / 03 / 2026.

Sources: The Verge, XDA Developers, Windows Blog.