Microsoft Benchmarks WinUI 3 Run Dialog: 94ms Display, Faster Than Win32's 103ms

Microsoft has published test results indicating that its WinUI 3-based rebuild of the Run dialog in Windows 11 outperforms the traditional Win32 version in display speed. The Run dialog, invoked via the Win+R shortcut, is currently available only after manual enablement under Settings > System > Advanced. Internal benchmark data shows a median display time of 94 milliseconds for the new dialog, compared with 103 milliseconds for the existing Win32 version, making the new version approximately 8.7% faster.

The new Run dialog is built with C# and WinUI 3, and employs . NET AOT precompilation. This technology compiles the application before release, eliminating the need for the conventional . NET JIT compiler to perform just-in-time compilation at startup, thereby improving launch speed while retaining the features of C# and WinUI 3. Microsoft stated that it collaborated with multiple Windows platform teams during development to ensure fast loading, and that the performance result reflects a combination of optimizations.

For context, the new Task Manager was previously perceived as slower than the old version on low-end devices, and File Explorer on Windows 11 also exhibited slower performance, with visible delays in loading right-click menu items. Microsoft said that performance was a primary consideration when rebuilding the Run feature, while acknowledging that WinUI as a whole still requires substantial performance improvements.

Microsoft added that the platform improvements made to optimize the Run dialog also contribute to greater efficiency across the operating system. The company said these efforts extend beyond the Run feature itself, as the related technical enhancements can be applied to other components of Windows 11.