Microsoft’s secret ‘Windows K2’ project aims to fix what users hate most

Back in March, Microsoft promised to make fundamental changes to Windows 11 to make the operating system faster and better. It was reported that, in order to regain users’ trust, the company even intended to scale back its focus on AI features.

Windows Central now claims to have learned more about Microsoft’s plans from anonymous sources. There’s apparently a secret effort called “Windows K2,” which is a project that was put together sometime late in 2025 to “address the biggest complaints that people have about Windows 11 today.” The goal is to improve Windows 11 through 2027.

Microsoft intends to focus primarily on three key areas:

1. Performance
2. Craft
3. Reliability

All three reflect the main points of criticism leveled at Windows 11. In the past, users have heavily lambasted the constant performance issues, the lack of reliability (particularly due to messy updates), and Microsoft’s focus on AI features that very few people actually want.

Microsoft intends to work on all three areas simultaneously and has admitted that its previous strategy was not effective in making Windows a better experience for everyone.

Important clarification: Windows K2 is not a “new version” of Windows 11 or even Windows 12. It’s an initiative to improve the operating system with targeted updates based on user feedback.

Focus on user feedback

Windows Central emphasizes that the K2 project’s focus on community feedback does not appear to be an empty promise. In recent weeks, Microsoft developers have been responding more frequently to feedback on social media and Windows forums. The Windows Insider Program is also being overhauled and will include meetings with testers to gather direct feedback.

However, it’s not yet clear how much of an impact these efforts will actually have on the Windows user experience. After all, this isn’t the first time Microsoft has promised improvements.

Technical improvements

Performance is a top priority for Windows K2. The performance of various applications such as File Explorer, the Start menu, and the taskbar is not expected to slow down even under heavy system load, for which Microsoft is using a new system compositor for WinUI 3. The new Start menu is said to respond up to 60 percent faster. Microsoft is even considering removing all advertising from the Start menu.

Microsoft is integrating a new feature called “instant file name search” into File Explorer, which is intended to deliver faster results. In other areas, Windows 11 is set to be streamlined rather than expanded, primarily to reduce memory usage when idle and to ensure it runs more smoothly even on lower-spec hardware.

As for gaming, Microsoft is taking cues from SteamOS and aims to catch up with Valve’s operating system within the next one-to-two years. So far, Windows 11 is considered worse for gaming than Windows 10, mainly due to bloated features and recurring issues with certain chips.

First improvements already released

Microsoft has already taken the first steps towards a better Windows 11 by adjusting the way updates are installed—updates are skippable during Windows setup and Windows will let you shut down your system without installing pending updates.

Microsoft’s goal is to make Windows 11 so reliable that a restart is only required once a month. Hopefully, the operating system will become a serious contender to macOS and Linux once again.

By the way: If you’re using Windows 11 Home, you’re missing out on the many benefits of Windows 11 Pro. To learn more, see our comparison of Windows 11 Home and Pro. If you want to upgrade, snag it for cheap in the PCWorld Software Store: now just $59 instead of $99.