6 trends users want to see in Windows devices in 2025

After years of using Windows, users have become accustomed to its quirks and limitations. While Windows 11 has brought some notable improvements, there are still some areas where Microsoft could make significant improvements by 2025.

1. More laptops running Windows on ARM

Windows laptops powered by Snapdragon processors based on ARM architecture will hit the market in 2024, replacing the usual AMD and Intel chips. These devices are now on par with Apple Silicon-powered MacBooks, which are considered some of the best laptops available today.

The main advantage of Snapdragon chips is their power efficiency. If you're someone who works mostly on the go, battery life is one of the biggest factors you should consider when choosing a new device. While there are plenty of devices running these processors, most cost around $1,000 to $1,600. I'd love to see more mid-range options.

 

However, app compatibility is still a concern. Developers need to specifically compile their apps for Windows on ARM. While most mainstream apps work fine, you can also use Prism, a translation layer that allows unsupported apps to run. However, there are still some apps and games that don't work.

Still, let's be optimistic. As more laptops with these processors hit the market this year, developers will increasingly adopt ARM processors, which could bring some much-needed competition to the thin-and-light laptop space in 2025.

2. Better support for handheld gaming PCs

 

Another area many would like to see Microsoft improve is providing better software support for portable gaming PCs. In 2024, many people opted for the ASUS ROG Ally over the Steam Deck, and while it offered impressive frame rates for most games, it wasn't easy to use.

Navigating between different game launchers on a 7-inch touchscreen is a huge hassle, and the unfortunate reality is that, even in 2025, Windows still isn't optimized well enough for touch input. With a slew of handheld gaming PCs expected to launch this year, I'd love to see Microsoft introduce a dedicated handheld mode for Windows - similar to Steam's Big Picture Mode, but built into multiple game launchers.

In the meantime, try installing Bazzite on ROG Ally, a Linux distribution similar to SteamOS that offers a near-identical experience using the Steam Deck. New consoles launched at CES 2025 have further boosted the market, including the massive 11-inch Acer Nitro 11.

3. Recall finally launches safely

 

In 2024, Microsoft launched a feature called Recall, which was met with backlash over concerns about user data. Recall regularly takes screenshots, allowing you to later request specific activity, such as retrieving a document you received a week ago.

While Microsoft assured that all screenshot data would be encrypted, the data was actually stored as plain text in a local database on the user's computer. Unsurprisingly, this drew heavy criticism, forcing Microsoft to "revoke" the feature.

After some changes, Recall is back for Windows Insiders as a completely optional feature. This time, you'll have more control over which screenshots are saved. However, it would be nice to have the option to take screenshots manually and create custom databases for specific projects.

Recall is expected to officially launch in 2025, but it's best to hold off on pulling the trigger just yet and wait a few months to see how secure the final release is before trying it out.

4. Copilot has some useful features

While I'm still not a fan of Copilot, I think Microsoft is on the right track with PC Copilot+, especially when it comes to AI features. They can prioritize on-device processing for AI tasks and ensure that these features aren't limited to a single platform - newer AMD and Intel devices get the same treatment as Snapdragon devices.

On-device processing seems like the right approach. It's faster and doesn't rely on constant internet access—unlike Google's approach of offloading most tasks to the cloud. I'd also love to see Microsoft release a full-fledged micro-language model that makes full use of on-device NPUs.

Still, I'd hope Microsoft would tone down the invasiveness. They're putting Copilot in every corner of Windows—even dedicating a key to it on the keyboard—which seems a bit excessive.

5. Better touchpad

 

It's exciting to see more laptops finally adopting tactile touchpads, similar to those found on MacBooks, and I really hope this trend doesn't go away. The ability to tap anywhere on the touchpad and even control the pressure is a game changer once you get used to it.

Tactile touchpads are more precise, don't suffer from mechanical wear, and have customizable feedback. It's great to see more manufacturers adopting this technology at all price points.

6. Windows 10 support extended beyond 2025

Many people were really disappointed when Microsoft planned to end support for Windows 10 in October 2025. Ending security updates for an operating system that has a larger market share than Windows 11 feels like a desperate move to force an upgrade.

There are still plenty of fully functional devices that can't run Windows 11, and your only option is to pay for extended security updates if you want to continue using your device without risk.