Windows 11 may get lower memory use and fewer update restarts under K2
Microsoft is reportedly working on a Windows 11 quality push known internally as Windows K2. According to Windows Central, this is not a new OS release, but an ongoing effort to improve performance, reliability, UI consistency , AI clutter and preinstalled content.
The report follows Microsoft’s March statement from Windows chief Pavan Davuluri, who said the company is focusing on performance, reliability and craft. Microsoft has already said it wants to reduce Windows resource use, lower baseline memory use, improve File Explorer and make core parts of the interface more responsive.
Microsoft is using SteamOS and app “File Pilot” as benchmarks
Windows Central claims K2 also targets gaming performance, with SteamOS used as a benchmark. Microsoft reportedly wants Windows gaming performance to be comparable on the same hardware within the next one to two years.
The effort also reportedly covers faster File Explorer navigation and search, fewer update restarts, a new WinUI 3 system compositor, and a rebuilt Start menu. The report claims the new Start menu could be up to 60% faster, with Microsoft also planning to remove Start menu ads and stop showing MSN content by default in the Widgets Board. Reportedly they are using a software called File Pilot, and the developer already responded:
So not only are we building File Pilot as a solid File Explorer alternative, we might actually be nudging improvements to it as well!
That's a win either way. https://t.co/gr8yYRSnwZ pic.twitter.com/3HidmfJOGG— Vjekoslav Krajačić (@vkrajacic) April 27, 2026
Windows K2 plan (based on Windows Central claims)
- Better Windows 11 performance
- Better reliability and fewer update issues
- Lower idle memory use and smaller OS footprint
- Less AI clutter and less preinstalled content
- Faster File Explorer navigation, search, and file handling
- More responsive context menus, Start menu, and Taskbar
- Gaming performance closer to SteamOS on the same hardware
- Fewer required restarts, with a goal of one restart per month
- Driver updates handled during restart instead of active use
- Movable and resizable Taskbar options
- More WinUI 3 use across Windows system interfaces
- New WinUI 3 System Compositor to reduce latency and memory overhead
- Rebuilt Start menu, reportedly up to 60% faster
- More Start menu customization
- Removal of Start menu ads
- MSN no longer shown by default in the Widgets Board
- Higher quality bar before features reach public preview builds
- More direct Windows team communication with users and Insiders
Source: Windows Central
