Microsoft details broad Windows 11 refresh

Microsoft is rolling out a broad set of Windows 11 changes, including performance and memory improvements, an action-capable Search interface, expanded phone integration and updates to Photos, gaming and accessibility. The company says some features are beginning to reach users, while others remain in testing or require compatible hardware. Microsoft says measured Windows 11 builds were up to 20% more responsive across selected actions, including using Search, Start, Settings, Snipping Tool and File Explorer. The company cautions that results vary by device, configuration and usage; the figure does not represent a universal speed increase for every PC. For computers with 8GB of memory, Microsoft says Windows can keep up to 2GB more active data in memory rather than moving it to slower storage. On systems with 8GB or less, Widgets will load only when opened, which Microsoft says can free more than 200MB for other tasks. A separate test on one laptop recorded idle in-use memory falling from 8.5GB on Windows 11 25H2 to 6.7GB on 26H2 after a clean restart and a five-minute wait. That single-device result is not evidence of a uniform change: reports described in the test article...