Windows 11: Major Updates & Improvements Coming in 2026
Microsoft has publicly committed to a series of major changes to Windows 11, responding to sustained user feedback regarding performance, customization, and unwanted features. The announcement came from Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft’s EVP of Windows and Devices, in a blog post published March 20, 2026. The company will initiate previewing the changes with Windows Insiders this month, with broader rollout planned for April 2026.
A key area of improvement centers on taskbar functionality. Microsoft will now allow users to reposition the taskbar to the top or sides of the screen, a long-requested feature. According to Davuluri, the team has spent “a great deal of time analyzing your feedback” and recognized the importance of this customization option. The ability to move the taskbar has been a top request, accumulating over 24,000 upvotes and 2,100 comments on Microsoft’s Feedback Hub, with user sentiment growing increasingly critical over time.
The company also intends to reduce the prominence of its AI assistant, Copilot, within certain applications. Microsoft will remove Copilot entry points from Snipping Tool, Photos, Widgets, and Notepad, acknowledging concerns about its intrusive integration. Davuluri stated the company will be “more intentional about how and where Copilot integrates across Windows, focusing on experiences that are genuinely useful and well-crafted.”
Windows Updates are also slated for revisions. Microsoft plans to offer users greater control over the update process, including the ability to skip updates during initial device setup, restart or shut down without installing updates, and pause updates for extended periods. These changes aim to reduce disruption and “update noise” with fewer automatic restarts and notifications.
File Explorer will also receive attention, with Microsoft promising a quicker launch experience, reduced flicker, smoother navigation, and more reliable performance. The company is also focused on improving overall system performance by optimizing code and reducing background resource consumption. A migration towards the WinUI 3 framework is planned to improve responsiveness.
Further adjustments are planned throughout 2026, including making widgets less visually intrusive and optimizing the internal search function for faster, more accurate local results. Microsoft also intends to address hardware stability issues, with planned fixes for Bluetooth and USB connections. The Windows Insider Program and Feedback Hub are also being redesigned to improve communication between developers and testers.
Davuluri’s statement follows a period of criticism regarding Windows 11, with users voicing concerns over a bloated update system and the forced integration of AI features. Microsoft has faced a “breakdown of trust” in Windows 11, according to reporting by The Verge, and Davuluri’s announcement represents a direct response to those concerns.