Windows 11 is set to release this fall and with it, a new feature called “Windowed Mode.” This mode will make games run faster in windowed mode, which is the default setting on many computers. The idea behind Windowed Mode is that it will make gaming more immersive and allow users to see more of the game screen at once. This will help users better control their game play and make it more fun. Some games that are likely to be affected by this new feature are Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Battlefield 3, and Assassin’s Creed III. All of these games have been known to run slowly in windowed mode, so this addition should speed up their loading times by a significant amount.
The new feature is called Optimizations, and it’s designed to make games run more smoothly in windowed mode. Microsoft says it’ll “significantly improve latency and unlock other exciting gaming features including Auto HDR and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR).”
If you’re on the Dev channel, you can enable this feature right now and see if it improves your gaming experience. You simply need to go to System > Display > Graphics > Change default graphics settings and turn on Optimizations. Once done, you should notice that games run better, including that all-important improved latency. However, there could be some issues, which is my Microsoft isn’t turning the feature on by default.
Microsoft is also borrowing a feature from Xbox. The Windows HDR Calibration app will allow PC gamers to improve color accuracy and consistency on their HDR display. This feature is already available on Xbox consoles (which also support HDR), so it only makes sense for Microsoft to bring it over to Windows 11, too.
As is always the case when Microsoft adds new features to the Dev channel, it could be some time before we see them in the final Windows 11 release. Still, it’s nice to get a glimpse into what’s coming, and this latest build brings some fantastic features and tweaks.
