Windows 11 may soon work better on older desktops and laptops

When Microsoft jumped from Windows 7 to Windows 8 and the new card-style UI that would define Microsoft’s signature operating system for years to come, a new focus was instilled into Windows. That was resource optimisation, which allowed the OS to function well on not just newer machines, but also older desktops and laptops.

This has also been a focus for Windows 11, Microsoft’s latest OS. A new feature in development, however, may make Windows 11 more backwards compatible for older hardware than ever before. In other words, Windows 11 could work really well on older devices.

Microsoft will soon allow Windows 11 users to uninstall more system apps. This means, users will be able to free up more resources including storage space. As per The Verge, Microsoft has started testing a new build of Windows 11 in its developer-oriented Canary channel, that lets testers to uninstall key Windows 11 components like the People app, Cortana app, the Photos app, and the Remote Desktop Client.

ALSO READ: How to buy a Windows 11 license for your laptop or desktop

With this capability (yet to come to the stable Windows 11), Microsoft will allow users to get rid of most of Windows 11’s bundled system apps. While those with newer Windows 11-based PCs may not pay much heed to this, the change is big news for older desktops, laptops and all-in-ones running the operating system.

With lesser, outdated storage options and older processors, these machines can always improve day-to-day performance by removing more system apps that would otherwise require precious resources to function.

When will all Windows 11 users be able to uninstall these apps?

Microsoft is set to reveal its next major update for Windows 11 next month in September. The feature-update is expected to include a lot of new features including native support for zip files, a new file explorer, built-in RGB controls, and access to Windows Copilot. However, whether the ability to uninstall apps like the People app and the Camera app will be a part of this major update is still a mystery.

ALSO READ: Top new features to look forward to in the next big Windows 11 update

That said, feature like the ability to uninstall the Camera app has been part of Windows 11 for months now. So, the chances of any bugs being ironed out, and the feature being ready for a stable channel release is high. However, even if Microsoft doesn’t include the ability to uninstall these changes in the upcoming 23H2 update, it can always be added later with a smaller update.