Microsoft has reportedly initiated a large-scale internal project to massively improve Windows in the face of fierce competition, with results possibly arriving by the end of 2026. According to sources who spoke to tech site Windows Insider, the effort is called “Windows K2” and aims to make Windows 11 much faster in games, massively improve File Explorer, and make a host of other changes too.
The site claims to have spoken to internal sources at Microsoft, who claim the company sees Valve’s SteamOS “as the benchmark” when it comes to gaming performance. Microsoft is apparently working hard on optimising Windows to ensure its gaming pace is comparable to that of SteamOS when the two systems are running on identical hardware. Not only that, but it’s hoped the company will achieve this milestone in the space of a “year or two.”
Without the extra overheads of Windows, SteamOS is comparably streamlined, and often runs games noticeably quicker than Windows when tested on the same hardware. With the launch of Valve’s Steam Machine imminent, bringing a faster PC gaming OS to compete with Windows, it makes sense for Microsoft to up its game here.
File Explorer changes
In addition, the report outlines some big changes potentially coming to Windows File Explorer. According to the site’s sources, Microsoft is using a third-party tool called File Pilot as its reference point here. The site lists performance boosts and faster searching, as well as an “instant filename search” feature.
However, if Microsoft really is using File Pilot as its benchmark, there’s another feature I hope it’s noted, which is tabbed browsing, so you can easily flick between different folders. File Pilot does this, and it baffles me that Windows File Explorer doesn’t have this feature yet.
Commenting on the Windows Central leak via X, File Pilot’s creator, Vjekoslav Krajačić, said, “not only are we building File Pilot as a solid File Explorer alternative, we might actually be nudging improvements to it as well! That’s a win either way.” It’s worth watching the video in Krajačić’s post to see how File Pilot looks already.
Work is also reportedly going on behind the scenes to speed up Windows 11 in other areas, including a revamped Start menu that’s “up to 60% faster,” which Windows Central says will also no longer feature ads.
Could we also avoid having to skip past multiple stages during the installation process before we can access Windows too? It would be great to be able to install my OS without having to confirm that I don’t want to spend money on Game Pass and Office 365 every time.
