Windows 11 Gaming Boost Coming in 2026, Microsoft Promises
▼ Summary
– Microsoft has announced significant upcoming updates for Windows 11 aimed at making it the best platform for playing video games.
– The company will focus on core technical improvements like background workload management, power scheduling, and graphics optimizations to make Windows run lighter for games.
– A key feature, Auto SR (Super Resolution), will arrive next year on handheld PCs to upscale game visuals and improve framerates without developer input.
– Another feature, Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD), will be expanded to more devices to allow faster game launches and smoother performance with less battery use.
– These efforts position Microsoft to compete more directly with companies like Valve and support the growing handheld gaming form factor.
Microsoft has announced a series of significant updates planned for Windows 11, specifically designed to enhance the gaming experience and solidify the platform’s position as a premier destination for players. These improvements, expected to roll out over the coming year, focus on core system optimizations and new features tailored for modern gaming hardware, particularly handheld devices.
The company outlined several key areas of development in a recent announcement. Background workload management, power and scheduling improvements, graphics stack optimizations, and updated drivers are all slated for refinement. The goal is to create a leaner operating system that can dynamically allocate more resources to running games, potentially leading to better performance and smoother gameplay.
A major feature coming soon is Auto SR (Super Resolution), an operating system-level upscaling technology. Initially launching on devices like the ASUS ROG Ally X equipped with AMD’s Ryzen AI NPU, this tool aims to boost visual clarity and frame rates in compatible games automatically, without requiring any additional work from game developers.
Another innovation on the horizon is the expansion of Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD). This technology preloads necessary game shaders during the download and installation process. The result is that supported games can launch significantly faster, run more smoothly from the start, and consume less battery power during their initial load on a device. Microsoft is actively working to extend ASD support to more games and a wider range of hardware and digital storefronts.
This concerted push into gaming optimizations appears to be a direct response to the evolving market landscape. Valve’s Steam Deck successfully revived interest in handheld PC gaming, a segment where Windows has historically played a supporting role rather than a native one. Furthermore, Valve’s announcement of a new Steam Machine console positions it as a competitor in the living room space traditionally dominated by consoles like the Xbox.
By enhancing Windows 11 for handhelds and improving controller support, Microsoft is strategically preparing to compete more directly. The broader vision is to make Windows a versatile and powerful gaming platform that appeals to users regardless of their preferred gaming library or hardware ecosystem, challenging the notion of being locked into a single store or device family.
(Source: Windows Central)
