Microsoft is taking a more focused arguably user-friendly approach to telemetry in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview builds, collecting detailed performance data when a PC shows signs of sluggish behavior. The aim? To root out bottlenecks and fine-tune performance in advance of the upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update, due later this year.

In the Dev Channel Build 26200.5710, Microsoft confirmed that it has started automatically gathering performance logs when a device suffers from slow or unresponsive behavior. While data collection has always been a contentious issue for the company, this new round of telemetry is positioned as being explicitly voluntary and tied to a clear goal: improving user experience by eliminating performance lags.

“As part of our commitment to improving Windows performance, logs are now collected when your PC has experienced any slow or sluggish performance,” Microsoft stated in the release notes.

Not Just About “Speed” — It’s About Solving “Sluggishness”

Rather than pushing vague promises of “faster performance,” Microsoft is reframing its efforts around fighting what it calls “system sluggishness.” Though the term itself is subjective and undefined, the company encourages Insider users to report these slowdowns via the Feedback Hub, which will then automatically attach relevant diagnostics logs stored locally under %systemRoot%\Temp\DiagOutputDir\Whesvc.

This move raises an interesting question: Why hasn’t Microsoft been collecting this kind of performance-specific telemetry all along? It’s a valid point, especially considering that Microsoft has long touted performance improvements without clearly explaining the data behind them.

Voluntary and Local—Until You Submit

It’s important to note that this telemetry is not automatically uploaded to Microsoft. The logs only leave the user’s device if they manually file feedback through the Feedback Hub, selecting the Desktop > System Sluggishness category. This keeps the data collection opt-in, which is likely a nod to long-standing privacy concerns among Windows users.

Exclusive to Dev Channel Windows Insiders

Currently, this feature is available only to Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel who have enabled the toggle to receive the latest experimental features via Settings > Windows Update. Those who opt out will eventually receive features at a later stage once they are deemed stable.

This narrow rollout means the telemetry data will be coming from a self-selecting group of early adopters, which may not reflect the broader population of Windows 11 users. Still, Microsoft appears confident that it can use this feedback to smooth out the rough edges of Windows performance potentially creating a more persuasive case for users still reluctant to upgrade from Windows 10, which reaches end-of-support in October 2025.

A Strategic Play Before 25H2

As Microsoft prepares to launch the Windows 11 25H2 update which could be timed to coincide with the phase out of Windows 10 this focus on performance optimization may form part of a broader strategy to lure holdouts into upgrading. A smoother, more responsive system could be the incentive many need to finally make the switch.

While the initiative may not satisfy all critics of Microsoft’s telemetry practices, it marks a notable attempt to balance data collection with transparency and user benefit. Whether it succeeds will likely depend on how noticeable the performance improvements are,and how Microsoft uses the insights gathered in this new phase of diagnostics.