Overview
- Windows chief Pavan Davuluri outlined a three‑pillar plan—performance, reliability and craft—with initial changes landing in March and April preview builds.
- Taskbar repositioning to the top or sides returns, alongside Start and taskbar refinements and broader use of WinUI3 to cut interaction latency.
- Microsoft will remove unnecessary Copilot entry points in Notepad, Photos, Snipping Tool and Widgets, with a calmer experience and fewer upsells described as a goal by a company engineer.
- Updates will be less disruptive with longer pause options, the ability to skip during setup, restart or shut down without installing pending patches, and a move to a single monthly reboot.
- File Explorer gets quicker launch, reduced flicker, smoother navigation and faster large‑file operations, while Windows targets lower memory usage and overhauls testing with clearer Insider channels, higher‑quality builds and a revamped Feedback Hub; Windows Central reports the internal codename 'Windows K2.'