The WhatsApp application in Windows 11 has abandoned the native application and returned to the web model. This resulted in a sharp increase in RAM memory consumption and decreased performance compared to previous versions.
This decision took effect in update 2.2584.3.0. Replace apps based on the Windows Graphics Library with versions that work with WebView2a Microsoft component that allows you to run web content within desktop applications. This change caused a wave of criticism among users, as it immediately affected the fluidity of the system and the resources that the platform currently requires.
According to initial reports, this migration will mean a significant increase in RAM memory. Before the update, the app consumed only a few megabytes at startup and remained relatively stable during daily activities.
With the advent of new approaches, The client now behaves like a separate browser running WhatsApp Webthe resource consumption is multiplied by some factor. Users and experts agree that this change represents a setback for the progress made over the past three years of development.
The architectural changes have also had a negative impact on overall performance. Accessing conversations, scrolling the interface, and viewing attachments were slow. Animation latency increases and elements load less smoothly.
Add to this reports of notifications not arriving on time or not appearing at all, synchronization issues between devices, and failures to integrate with operating system features such as Do Not Disturb mode or Do Not Disturb mode.
The decision to abandon native applications raises questions about why the company took this direction. Recent reports have cited internal organizational restructuring as a possible cause.
Changes in work structure, Retrenchments will impact teams responsible for Windows versionsThis results in the selection of a simpler and more integrated development infrastructure. Relying on the same core as WhatsApp Web sacrifices some of the user experience, but reduces maintenance costs and makes businesses more agile.
What is surprising is that this movement is occurring in parallel with efforts to strengthen its presence in other star systems. While the Windows version is returning to a more basic model, the company recently launched a fully native app for smartwatches, a platform with a much smaller user base. To some analysts, this difference signals the brand’s intention to prioritize devices where it wants to grow, even if it means sacrificing application performance at scale.
In this scenario, there is limited room for those who have not yet installed the update to retain their previous version. You may be able to temporarily save it in the system app storeHowever, it is expected that active sessions will eventually be killed to force the migration. This means that sooner or later all users will have to adopt the new WebView2-based version, regardless of their preferences.
This transition marks a turning point in the way services are distributed and run on computers. It is not excluded that future updates may improve performance or reduce memory consumption, but changes in the technology base establish new standards that determine subsequent improvements. For now, the user community continues to wait, with increasing complaints about the reduced efficiency of tools that until recently were trying to integrate more deeply with Windows.
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