Analysis: Microsoft’s Windows 11 Performance Claims (Premium)

Yes, Windows 11 seems like it's just Windows 10 with a refreshed UI. But Microsoft is also making changes under the hood. And in a video that it just posted, the software giant explains why those less visible updates will result in a more performant version of Windows. Naturally, I’m wondering why these changes aren’t coming to the 1.3 billion people currently stuck using Windows 10, a system that is otherwise identical to Windows 11.

Microsoft vice president Steve Dispensa discusses this and a number of related Windows 11 topics in the video. Here’s a breakdown of the changes he discusses, with commentary.
Security and the Windows 11 hardware requirements
This is really the first version of Windows conceived for a zero-trust and hybrid world.

At first, I thought he was dithering on the zero-trust explanation for Windows 11’s controversial hardware requirements. But the word “hybrid” there is just about working from home and the reality of COVID and post-COVID era work.
Consistency vs. efficiency
A big theme for Windows 11 is consistency.

Windows 11 is perhaps a bit more consistent than Windows 10, but it still has most of the same inconsistencies that users have been complaining about for years, thanks to the archaeological-like layers of technology that persist from version to version, and often over a period of decades.

For users, we focused our design efforts on removing the distractions you face as you work to make it easier for you to focus with the new modern interface and refined aesthetics. One of my favorite updates is the new way to arrange your Windows as you work with Snap Assist, where we give you several guided screen layouts to choose from. And once you make a selection, you can quickly choose which windows go in each area.

Snap Layouts is a great feature, but that has nothing to do with consistency. And the problem with removing “distractions,” of course, is that one person’s distraction is another’s much-needed feature. I will cite the lack of Taskbar options for the millionth time as a key example.

And then something that's particularly important for hybrid work, when you need to physically move around and undock, the windows on your monitor will minimize to your laptop. And when you re-doc, everything is back where you had it before on your monitor, which saves you time as you work from anywhere. These capabilities and more place the focus on really keeping you in your flow.

Again, this has nothing to do with consistency. This is really just about new features that help you work more efficiently. Which is absolutely a big deal.

Also, please move beyond the term “flow.” All it does is invoke menstruation.
Windows 11 for IT
Tor IT, we've made a lot of incremental improvements that are designed to fit like a glove into your existing management tools and processes.

The phrase “incremental improvements” should resonate with IT.

The Zero Trust security model is ...