Overview
- Microsoft committed to substantial Windows 11 gaming updates in 2026 focused on background workload management, power and scheduling, graphics stack optimizations, and updated drivers to free more resources for games.
- Auto SR, an OS-level upscaling feature that requires no developer work, will debut on handheld PCs first on the Xbox Ally X using AMD’s Ryzen AI NPU.
- Advanced Shader Delivery is expanding to more Windows 11 devices, preloading shaders at install to speed initial launches, reduce stutter, and cut battery use.
- Microsoft says collaboration around the ROG Xbox Ally led to tuned power profiles, improved unified memory behavior, and AMD driver optimizations that now benefit the broader Windows ecosystem.
- The company cited first-run load time drops of over 80% in Avowed and over 95% in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on titles using ASD.