As Windows 11 continues to mature through system updates and GPU driver optimizations, one question still dominates the gaming community: does Windows 11 perform better than Windows 10 for gaming?
In 2026, the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Recent benchmark results from independent testing labs and media outlets reveal how Windows 11 gaming performance compares in real-world scenarios.
For a broader system-level overview beyond gaming, you can also read our Windows 10 vs Windows 11 performance and sound comparison.
Windows 11 Adoption in Gaming
According to the latest Steam hardware survey, Windows 11 has become the dominant operating system among PC gamers, accounting for more than 70% of active users by the end of 2025. This rapid adoption is largely driven by Microsoft’s plan to end mainstream support for Windows 10, encouraging gamers to upgrade.
As Windows 11 becomes the default gaming platform, evaluating its performance is increasingly important for both casual players and competitive enthusiasts.
Benchmark Performance: Windows 11 vs Windows 10
General Frame Rate Comparison
Independent benchmarks consistently show that average FPS results between Windows 11 and Windows 10 are very close across most modern titles. On identical hardware, differences are often within a few percentage points—well inside normal benchmark variance.
In GPU-bound games such as DOOM: The Dark Ages and Far Cry 6, testing frequently reports nearly identical average frame rates on both operating systems.
Where differences do appear more clearly is in minimum frame rates (1% lows). In some titles, Windows 10 has historically demonstrated slightly better frame-time stability, although this gap has narrowed significantly as Windows 11 updates have matured.
A detailed breakdown of individual game results can be found in our Windows 11 gaming benchmark results.
Performance Bugs and Fixes in 2025
Not all Windows 11 gaming updates have been smooth. In late 2025, a cumulative Windows update caused severe performance drops—up to 33–50%—in Assassin’s Creed Shadows on certain systems. These issues were later traced to driver-level conflicts and resolved through GPU driver patches and OS hotfixes.
This incident highlights an important reality: operating system updates can temporarily impact gaming performance, even on high-end hardware. Keeping GPU drivers up to date and monitoring major Windows updates remains essential for stable performance.
Competitive and Esports Titles
For competitive and esports-focused games such as Valorant and Fortnite, Windows 11 performs exceptionally well when properly configured. Benchmarks indicate that Windows 11’s improved CPU scheduling and resource management help maintain stable frame rates at high refresh rates, which is critical for competitive play.
Players looking to squeeze out maximum performance can further improve results by applying system-level optimizations discussed in our Windows 11 gaming optimization guide.
Conclusion: Is Windows 11 Worth It for Gaming in 2026?
The benchmark reality in 2026 is clear:
On average, Windows 11 gaming performance is largely comparable to Windows 10, with performance differences depending more on GPU drivers, hardware configuration, and game optimization than the operating system itself.
While Windows 10 once held minor advantages in certain scenarios, ongoing Windows 11 updates have closed most of that gap. Occasional update-related issues still occur, but they are typically resolved through driver patches and hotfixes.
For most gamers in 2026, Windows 11 represents a stable and competitive gaming platform—especially when paired with updated drivers and optimized system settings.