A post on X by a user named Xilly claimed that Microsoft had secretly added a new background service to Windows 11 called "Windows Health and Optimized Experiences" that starts automatically on every boot, monitors CPU, thermals, and battery, and sends data to Microsoft every 15 minutes. The post suggested this was a hidden tracking feature affecting PC performance.
Microsoft has denied the claims. According to Scott Hanselman, described by PCWorld as Microsoft's deputy technical director and by TechPowerUp as a Microsoft VP, the service is part of Windows' existing diagnostic system. It can record performance traces locally when the operating system detects the PC is running slow, but this data is only sent to Microsoft if the user chooses to submit it, such as through the Feedback Hub.
TechPowerUp reports that the service is not standalone telemetry but is triggered by Windows 11 itself, with files saved locally under the path "%SystemRoot%\Temp\DiagOutputDir\Whesvc." Sending these files back to Microsoft is optional and tied to submitting a diagnostic report, not automatic transmission every 15 minutes as the viral post implied.
Both sources note the service is not new. TechPowerUp says it has existed for over a year, having been included in the Windows 11 Canary build introduced in May 2025, while PCWorld similarly states it has been part of the operating system since 2025.
Hanselman also acknowledged that the current in-system description of the service is unclear, and PCWorld reports Microsoft plans to revise it for clarity. PCWorld connects the backlash to lingering distrust from Windows Recall, a feature that continuously monitors screens and takes screenshots, which also stores data locally but drew significant criticism and forced Microsoft to rework its design.
TechPowerUp adds that while this particular claim was misleading, Microsoft has introduced background services with past Windows versions, and it notes that the company's current focus is on improving performance, including support for 8 GB of RAM systems, rather than adding new AI or telemetry features.