Windows 11 gets destroyed in Windows XP-to-11 OS speed test
Windows 11 fails every test in this OS-vs-OS challenge
A YouTuber called TrigrZolt has tested all versions of Windows in an OS-vs-OS speed test, and Windows 11 lost almost every test. While the testing methodology isn’t perfect, it highlights the performance issues facing Microsoft’s newest version of Windows.
TrigrZolt’s testing used several identical Lenovo Thinkpad X220 laptops with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB HDD. Windows XP (64-bit), Vista, 7, 8.1, 10, and 11 were installed on systems and put through a series of tests. While the battery life of all systems was near-identical, Windows 8.1 proved to be the fastest OS overall.
While this test was completed on hardware that doesn’t officially support Windows 11, it highlights Windows 11’s inefficiencies at the software level. Today’s hardware is much faster than older tech; it’s clear that Microsoft can learn a lot from Windows 8.1.
(Windows XP vs Vista vs 7 vs 8.1 vs 10 vs 11 | Speed Test by TrigrZolt)
BOOT Speed and memory testing
Despite supporting modern features like Fast Boot, Windows 11 was the slowest OS to boot. The fastest OS in this boot-up test was Windows 8.1, with Windows 11 and Windows XP tying for second place. Windows 11 was the slowest, with the OS’ taskbar taking significant time to load.
At idle, Windows 11 also used more RAM than older Windows OS’. While Windows XP used the least memory, Windows 8.1 used the second least at idle, beating Windows Vista and Windows 7. Windows XP winning this test was expected, as Windows XP is a much older OS, coming from a time when PCs shipped with very little memory. Windows 10 uses 1GB more RAM than Windows 8.1, and Windows 11 uses 1GB more RAM than Windows 10. Out of 8GB of total system memory, Windows 11 alone uses 3.3 GB.
In a simple paint boot-up test, Windows 11 also loses by a huge margin. However, it is worth noting that Windows 11 uses a newer, more advanced version of Microsoft Paint. For all other OS’, Paint took a similar amount of time to load. With Windows 11, it took several seconds longer. That said, modern systems with SSD storage can still load the app very quickly.
For other apps, such as Windows File Explorer, VLC Media Player, Calculator, and Adobe Reader, Windows 11 ranks last in all tests. This is likely due to Windows 11 using more system resources at idle, and the fact that some apps use newer, more complex versions (Windows Calculator and Microsoft Paint).
(Idle memory usage by OS (OS’ in age order with Windows XP on the left and Windows 11 on the right)
Not an ideal test, but a scathing loss for Windows 11
While this test did not use Windows 11-compatible hardware, it highlights how inefficient many aspects of Windows 11 are compared with its predecessors. If nothing else, these tests prove that Windows has become slower and less efficient since the release of Windows 8.1. In fact, I think the Windows community has misjudged Windows 8.1. It is not remembered fondly. Sadly, that OS carries the baggage of Windows 8, which has tainted it. That said, these tests prove that it is one of the fastest versions of Windows available.
Microsoft needs to focus on improving Windows
Windows 11 is a mess. There’s a reason why SteamOS and other Linux OS’ have become popular amongst PC gamers. It’s the same reason why macOS is gaining market share. Microsoft has allowed Windows to become slow and bloated. We need to return to the time when Windows was fast and utilitarian. PC buyers don’t want to invest in new hardware to find that their new systems feel sluggish. We all deserve better than that.
Microsoft has already promised gaming-focused optimisations for Windows. They have also added Native NVMe support to Windows Server, a feature that should (eventually) give Windows 11 users a boost. Changes are also being made to File Explorer to accelerate file searches. These changes are long overdue and must be part of a long-term commitment to make Windows snappy again.
While this testing isn’t exactly fair to Windows 11, its findings aren’t wrong. With SSD storage and access to faster hardware, Windows 11 should be snappier than all prior versions of Windows. The simple fact of the matter is that it isn’t. This needs to change. If not, people will find alternatives. Enough is enough.
You can join the discussion on Windows 11 losing to its predecessors in speed tests on the OC3D Forums.
