‘All modern operating systems do this, including macOS and Linux’: Microsoft executive hits back at critics accusing it of ‘cheating’ with Windows 11 speed boost feature

Microsoft introduces new feature to briefly boost CPU, to make Windows 11 apps and menus more responsive
Critics have criticized Microsoft for “cheating” and this is a general solution.
A Microsoft executive made it clear that this was not some sort of cheat and that other major operating systems were doing the same thing.

Microsoft will improve Windows 11 performance using a trick that briefly speeds up the processor when opening apps or menus, and an executive has defended the concept after facing criticism from online commenters.

Windows Latest noted that Scott Hanselman, a vice president, Microsoft technical staffer and a key member of the team responsible for fixing Windows 11 this year, turned to X to hit back at critics who called Microsoft lazy for this particular idea, which carries the label “low latency profile.”

There is a general feeling among some that Microsoft is cutting corners and rigging a solution to improve performance.

Analysis: Feelings are burning

File Explorer Tabs in Windows 11

(Image credit: TechRadar)

It’s clear that Hanselman feels compelled to put some people in their place here, and it’s true, these are valid points he’s making, and there’s a general vibe in favor of tearing down whatever Microsoft is trying to do, which is unfair.

However, I think Microsoft executives need to be somewhat aware of where this criticism comes from – namely many years of Windows 11, where people felt like they weren’t being listened to as Microsoft botched a number of fixes for the operating system.

I’ve written repeatedly about how trust in Microsoft has eroded over the past couple of years (well, long before that, actually, but it’s been especially true lately). And this kind of reaction is a symptom of that.

But yeah, okay, it can’t be nice to see many of your ideas for fixing Windows 11 being shot down in a general atmosphere of “let’s see Microsoft screw this one up.”

On a broader level, some critics aren’t directly criticizing the low-latency profile, but instead say it’s more of a band-aid that doesn’t address larger issues with core Windows 11 apps (including web-based efforts) running slowly. Or issues with general poor resource management in Windows 11 – although overall performance improvements are of course on Microsoft’s fix list.

In short, there are a lot of repairs to be made with Windows 11, and Microsoft has to start somewhere. From where I sit, Microsoft’s overall attitude so far has been impressive, in terms of quickly implementing some important fixes and engaging with the community.

I think critics need to give Microsoft more time and luck, but at the same time I realize how some of the frustrations run pretty deep with Windows 11 – and Windows 10 before it, for that matter – and Microsoft only has itself to blame.

However, a key question for me is simple: why didn’t Microsoft include this CPU trick in Windows 11 in the first place? Or at least start developing it sooner as a performance fix, given that all other contemporary desktop platforms make good use of similar features.

The answer likely has to do with addressing power efficiency and battery life issues – and that currently remains a concern with this feature. Sources within Microsoft have previously said that any impact on battery longevity would be minimal, and it’s likely that with the huge levels of battery life we’re seeing with some modern laptops, it gives Windows 11 more room to breathe anyway.

Interestingly, another observation from Hanselman is that the low latency profile will work particularly well with Windows 11 laptops with Arm (Snapdragon) chips, which are better suited to quickly changing power states than AMD and Intel processors.