Microsoft exec: Windows 11 speed boost isn't 'cheating' because Linux and macOS also do it

Microsoft exec Scott Hanselman has fired back at critics who accused the company of "cheating" over its Windows 11 speed boost feature, defending the practice as common across modern operating systems.

The controversy centers on the Low Latency Profile, a performance tweak that briefly boosts CPU speed when launching apps or menus, making Windows 11 feel snappier to the user. However, critics have accused Microsoft of taking shortcuts to achieve this new level of perceived performance in Windows 11, but Hanselman rebutted on X that all major OSes, including macOS and Linux, employ similar techniques to reduce latency and improve responsiveness.

Hanselman emphasized that this is not a novel trick, but a well-established method used in computing to prioritize specific tasks. He noted that even smartphones dynamically scale CPU performance in real time, a process known as dynamic frequency scaling.

The debate highlights a broader issue with Windows 11: years of mixed user feedback and delayed fixes have led to skepticism toward new features, not to mention the tsunami of criticism over Microsoft's Windows Recall rollout, specifically the spying concerns that surrounded it. Despite these concerns, Hanselman argues that these changes simply align Windows 11 with other OSes currently available.

Looking ahead, the success of the Low Latency Profile may depend on whether users feel it addresses deeper performance concerns in Windows 11 or is simply a cosmetic boost. Microsoft has acknowledged the need for broader improvements, but for now, the speed boost is one of many steps in a long-overdue effort to refine the OS.