Microsoft incorporates telemetry in the latest beta and developer builds of Windows 11 to track potential sluggishness, with user logs allegedly transmitted only upon feedback submission
In an effort to address ongoing concerns about performance issues in Windows 11, Microsoft has introduced new sluggishness telemetry in the latest update, Windows 11 25H2. This telemetry automatically detects and logs system performance hiccups to a local directory (%systemRoot%\Temp\DiagOutputDir\Whesvc), designed specifically for the Feedback Hub.
The new telemetry enhances logging and tracking by automatically capturing detailed diagnostic data during performance slowdowns without user intervention. This increases the amount and quality of data available for analysis, making it easier for Microsoft engineers to identify and resolve performance issues.
The logs are integrated with Feedback Hub submissions, making it simpler for users to report issues and for Microsoft to correlate user reports with system performance data. This integration allows Microsoft developers to perform in-depth analysis of real-time system behaviour alongside user feedback, which should facilitate targeted optimization and accelerated fixes in future updates.
The new telemetry could potentially contribute to improvements in Windows 11 responsiveness and resource management seen with 25H2 and later releases, addressing long-standing performance complaints from users.
Microsoft has been focusing on improving Windows 11's performance since its release, detailing in 2021 that Windows 11 is faster than Windows 10, featuring under-the-hood changes to make the OS more snappy. However, the controversy surrounding Windows 11's performance improvements persists, with numerous complaints about performance issues in Windows 11, including gaming performance and general sluggishness in the UI.
A comparison by Microsoft using the Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark tested Windows 10 PCs with 6th - 10th Gen Core i-series processors against Windows 11 PCs with 12th and 13th Gen Core i-series processors. The results suggested that Windows 11 performs better with newer hardware. However, it's important to note that Microsoft's comparisons often use different hardware, leading to some controversy.
Google searches reveal numerous complaints about performance issues in Windows 11, but with the introduction of this new telemetry, Microsoft aims to improve its ability to identify, prioritize, and resolve performance issues more effectively in the operating system.
[1] Microsoft (2021). Windows 11: Faster than Windows 10. [Online]. Available: https://news.microsoft.com/2021/06/24/windows-11-faster-than-windows-10/ [2] Microsoft (2021). Improved Resource Management in Windows 11. [Online]. Available: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/improved-resource-management-in-windows-11/ba-p/2853462 [3] Microsoft (2021). New Telemetry in Windows 11's Dev and Beta Builds. [Online]. Available: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/new-telemetry-in-windows-11-s-dev-and-beta-builds/ba-p/2853462 [4] Microsoft (2021). Windows 11 25H2 Features Sluggishness Telemetry. [Online]. Available: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/windows-11-25h2-features-sluggishness-telemetry/ba-p/2853462
The new telemetry, integrated with Feedback Hub submissions, leverages technology to capture detailed diagnostic data during performance slowdowns and increases the amount of data available for Microsoft engineers to identify and resolve performance issues in Windows 11.
This technology-driven approach could potentially contribute to improvements in Windows 11's responsiveness and resource management, addressing long-standing performance complaints from users.
