Microsoft pledges to fix Windows’ gaming fundamentals
Microsoft is finally optimising Windows 11 for gamers
Microsoft is finally taking PC gaming seriously. After many years of coasting, Microsoft is taking serious action to address the issues facing PC gamers. The Xbox Full Screen Experience is coming to all Windows 11 users, boosting performance and power efficiency. Furthermore, Microsoft plans to deliver more fundamental changes to Windows, aiming to increase gaming performance.
Microsoft plans to refine system behaviours, better manage background workloads and more. With scheduling, graphics stack improvements and updated drivers, Microsoft intends to give PC gamers more performance from their hardware. Less OS bloat, better managed system resources, and more performance. It’s that simple.
These changes will have the largest impact on lower-powered gaming devices, where system resources are most strained. That said, all PC gamers will benefit from these changes. Microsoft is taking PC gaming seriously. It’s about time!
Performance fundamentals
We’re committed to making Windows the best place to play, and we will continue refining system behaviors that matter most to gaming: background workload management, power and scheduling improvements, graphics stack optimizations, and updated drivers.
Microsoft’s path forward for Windows/PC gaming
Microsoft’s Blog also mentions new features like Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD), Auto Super Resolution (ASR), and DirectX Raytracing 1.2 (DXR 1.2). We have already written articles on these topics, so we will not discuss them in detail here. These features highlight Microsoft’s path forward for gaming on Windows, where the company aims to improve efficiency and deliver a better gaming experience.
Gamers have long complained about Windows 11’s bloat and its inefficiency. Microsoft are now aware that this is a problem that needs to be fixed. Valve’s Steam Machine has highlighted an alternative path forward for PC gaming, which means Microsoft needs to work to maintain its dominance in the PC gaming market.
Windows 11’s October 2025 update appears to be responsible for gaming-related issues for users of AMD and Nvidia GPUs. AMD users experience more frequent “driver hang” issues, while Nvidia users experience significant performance drops in some games. Microsoft’s increased focus on gaming is welcome. However, it is clear that a lot of work needs to be done to fix Windows 11’s gaming woes.
You can join the discussion on Microsoft’s plan to optimise Windows on the OC3D Forums.
