Is Windows 11 Faster Than Windows 10? Performance and Real-World Use

Is Windows 11 faster than Windows 10? On the same modern PC, the two perform much the same in most everyday tasks and games. Windows 11 has a smarter scheduler for newer Intel and AMD processors and prioritises the app you are using, which can make it feel more responsive. Its default security features can cost a little speed in some games, and on older hardware Windows 10 may feel lighter.

Is Windows 11 Faster Than Windows 10? The Short Answer

Neither system is faster across the board; the result depends on your processor, your drivers and which security features are switched on. The table below summarises where the real differences lie, without inventing benchmark figures that would not match your PC.

What Did Microsoft Change to Make Windows 11 Faster?

Microsoft's main performance work in Windows 11 went into responsiveness rather than raw speed: how the system shares CPU time and memory, how fast it wakes, and how much it runs in the background. When Windows 11 launched, Microsoft highlighted three changes.

• Foreground priority. When the processor is heavily loaded, Windows 11 gives more CPU time and memory to the window you are working in. The effect is that a browser or Office app opens quickly even while a background task is busy.
• Faster resume from sleep. Microsoft reworked how hardware is powered up when waking, so laptops come back from sleep more quickly.
• Smaller footprint. Some built-in apps are installed as lightweight placeholders and only download when first opened, which saves disk space and background activity.

None of this makes a slow PC fast. It means that on the same hardware, Windows 11 tends to keep the app you care about responsive when the system is under pressure.

Is Windows 11 Better Than Windows 10 for Gaming?

For most games on a modern PC, frame rates on Windows 11 and Windows 10 are close, and Windows 11 adds gaming features Windows 10 lacks. Auto HDR improves colour in older games on HDR displays, and DirectStorage gets the upgraded storage stack that Microsoft's DirectX team describes as unlocking its full potential on Windows 11.

The trade-off is virtualisation-based security. Windows 11 turns on memory integrity (also called HVCI, Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity) by default on supported hardware. It runs code checks inside an isolated, hypervisor-protected environment, so drivers cannot be easily hijacked by malware. That extra layer of work is the cause; the effect, in some games and on some configurations, is lower performance. Microsoft has acknowledged this and recommends keeping it on for safety.

If you want a deeper look at frame rates, anti-cheat requirements and settings, our guide on whether Windows 11 is good for gaming covers that in detail.

Why Is Windows 11 Slower Than Windows 10 on Some PCs?

Windows 11 feels slower on some PCs mainly because of older hardware, outdated drivers or extra background features, not because the core system is heavier. Common causes include:

• Older processors. Memory integrity relies on CPU features that newer chips handle more efficiently. On older processors, the same protection costs more performance.
• Unsupported hardware. PCs that do not meet the Windows 11 requirements, such as TPM 2.0 and a supported CPU, were not designed or tested for it, and drivers may be missing or generic.
• Startup apps and widgets. Upgrades carry over every startup app from the old system, and Windows 11 adds Widgets and other background services.
• Low memory. Windows 11 needs at least 4 GB of RAM. It runs on that, but multitasking with a modern browser is much smoother with more.

Which PCs Benefit Most from Windows 11?

PCs with recent Intel and AMD processors benefit most, because Windows 11 includes scheduling work that Windows 10 does not receive.

Intel's 12th-generation and later chips mix performance cores (P-cores) and efficiency cores (E-cores). The processor's Thread Director feature tells Windows which type of work each thread is doing, and Windows 11 uses those hints to put demanding tasks on P-cores and background tasks on E-cores. On Windows 10, the scheduler has less information, so work can land on the wrong core type and performance becomes less consistent.

AMD worked with Microsoft on a branch prediction optimisation for Ryzen Zen 3, Zen 4 and Zen 5 processors. It arrived with Windows 11 24H2 and was backported to 23H2 through update KB5041587; it was announced for Windows 11 only. Gains vary by game and app.

How Can You Compare Windows 10 and Windows 11 on Your Own PC?

The only reliable answer for your machine is a fair test on the same hardware with the same drivers and apps. Use this approach:

1. Update both systems fully, including chipset and graphics drivers from the manufacturer.
2. Disable the same startup apps in each, using Task Manager → Startup apps.
3. Choose two or three tasks you actually do, such as a game's built-in benchmark, a video export or opening a large spreadsheet.
4. Run each task three times after a restart and note the results.
5. Check memory integrity in Windows Security → Device security → Core isolation details, and test with it on, since that is the secure default.
6. Compare the averages, not a single run.

Microsoft's core isolation guide explains what memory integrity does and why turning it off leaves the PC more exposed.

Does Staying on Windows 10 Still Make Sense?

For most people, no: speed is a minor difference, while security support is a major one. Windows 10 Home and Pro reached end of support on 14 October 2025. Consumer Extended Security Updates now run until 12 October 2027, after which there are no more patches. Our Windows 10 end of life guide explains the options.

If your PC meets the requirements, read whether your Windows 10 Pro licence upgrades to Windows 11 Pro for free before buying anything new.

A Common Mistake We See

A common mistake is judging Windows 11 after an in-place upgrade from a Windows 10 installation that is several years old. Every leftover startup app, old driver and trial program comes across, so the "new" system feels slow and the blame lands on Windows 11. A clean install on the same PC often feels noticeably different.

Before you roll back, review startup apps and remove what you do not use. Our guide on how to debloat Windows 11 safely covers built-in, reversible ways to trim background apps without touching Windows Security or Windows Update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Win 11 faster than Win 10 on old PCs?

Usually not. On older processors, Windows 11's security features cost more performance, and unsupported hardware may lack proper drivers. A PC from before the TPM 2.0 era often feels about the same or slightly slower on Windows 11. Newer hybrid Intel and recent AMD Ryzen chips are where Windows 11 has the advantage.

Is Windows 11 worse than Windows 10 for gaming?

Not generally. Most games run at similar frame rates on both. Windows 11 adds Auto HDR and a better DirectStorage stack, but memory integrity can lower performance in some titles. Keep graphics drivers current and test your own games rather than relying on a single headline benchmark.

Is Windows 10 better than Windows 11 for gaming in 2026?

No, mainly because Windows 10 no longer receives regular security updates, and some newer games use anti-cheat systems that require TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. Windows 10 can still run many games well, but staying online on an unpatched system brings risks that outweigh any small performance difference.

Does turning off memory integrity make Windows 11 faster?

It can improve performance in some games and configurations, which Microsoft has acknowledged. It also removes protection against malicious drivers. If you test with it off, turn it back on afterwards in Windows Security → Device security → Core isolation details. Most users should leave it on.

Is Windows 11 Pro faster than Windows 11 Home?

No. Both editions share the same core system and perform the same in everyday use and games. Pro adds business features such as BitLocker, Remote Desktop hosting, Hyper-V and Group Policy, not extra speed. Choose the edition by the features you need.

Will upgrading to Windows 11 speed up my PC?

Only in specific cases, such as a recent hybrid Intel or AMD Ryzen processor. On most PCs, the bigger speed gains come from an SSD, more RAM, current drivers and fewer startup apps. The main reason to move is continued security updates and support.

Conclusion

Is Windows 11 faster than Windows 10? On modern hardware it is equal or slightly ahead in responsiveness, with the biggest gains on recent Intel and AMD processors, while older PCs may see no benefit. The deciding factor in late 2026 is support, not speed. If you are ready to move, browse our Windows 11 collection for genuine Home and Pro product keys.

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