Is Windows 11 Gamer-friendly?
(Image credit: Microsoft)
So, you game on a Windows PC, and the notifications keep popping for the new OS, but should you upgrade? With every change to the bottom level of software on a PC comes troubles in other areas like hardware and additional applications. In fact, Microsoft has already put out a major Windows 11 update that leaves some current problems dangling. The Load Screen covers issues that may have a Windows PC gamer waiting for the switch to Windows 11, especially if they use VR.
First, if you genuinely want the upgrade go for it. Most games and software work with minimal concerns. However, as noted in the Windows known issues and notifications article, several software problems could affect gaming. If a video game’s registry key uses some non-ASCII characters, they may not open. What does that mean? If Windows categorizes the game in its registry by using any special characters outside of the normal ones, the game may not play. Also, if the gamer uses a Virtual Machine to remotely access their high-powered gaming PC, they may receive an error. On the other hand, the article states that the developers resolved the Intel “Killer” and “SmartByte” issues for those who use them during online gameplay in Windows 11.
Then there are the hardware headaches, including a major one for owners of AMD processors. According to this AMD Windows 11 Performance Variation in Certain Applications article, the processors suffer up to a 5% performance impact in some applications, but there are “possible outliers in some games.” Meaning that percentage is way higher than the 3-5% of standard apps. Although, the article does indicate that a Windows update is coming to fix the issues with their processors.
“Estimated performance impact of 3-5% in affected applications, with possible outliers in some games.”
Not all equipment is currently Windows 11 rated, like the Oculus Link and Oculus Air Link used by the Quest and Quest 2. The Oculus Support Oculus Link page lists Windows 10 as the only available Operating System. These compatibility problems will frustrate VR users who upgrade without checking the manufacturer’s support pages. Sometimes, programmers update website information much slower than the actual resolution, and the product functions without issue despite the website limitation. In the case of Oculus, users such as Alibami and Shushkart report broken Link applications that drop frames in this Oculus community post on Link horrible on Windows 11.
If you are brave enough to dive into the murky waters of Windows 11 even after our warnings, the first step is verifying your gaming PC. The Microsoft Windows 11 page has both the minimum requirements and the PC Health Check app download needed to begin the free upgrade from Windows 10. As Oculus users on AMD PCs, The Load Screen team will wait for the roll-out of more updates, mainly the promised AMD fix. For those refusing to upgrade, the Microsoft Windows 10 Home and Pro Lifecycle page list the final support date as October 14, 2025.
