Windows 12 Bootloader – Why I Propose a Change

What Was Great About the Windows 8 Bootloader:

Startup Speed:
Windows 8 could boot in 2–3 seconds on SSD thanks to its hybrid shutdown mode (Fast Startup), which combined kernel hibernation with a clean shutdown.

Minimalist UEFI Boot Sequence:
The bootloader () was clean, fast, and direct — no cloud layers, no AI runtime, no Defender overhead.

Lean Service Initialization:
Only essential components were loaded during startup. Everything else was deferred until after the system was ready.

Why Windows 10/11 Lost That Speed:
•     More Complex Bootloader – due to Secure Boot, TPM, BitLocker, and Copilot+ layers.
•     Pre-initialization of AI and Cloud Services – the system boots as a “bundle,” not a “beam.”
•     Heavy Runtime Layers – Defender, telemetry, sync services all activate immediately.

My Proposal:

Hybrid Kernel Startup – inspired by Windows 8, but compatible with Copilot+ and AI runtime.
•     Modular Initialization – runtime layers load dynamically, not all at once.
•     Simplified UEFI Boot Logic – rewrite of  and BCD for faster execution.
•     Developer Mode Toggle – optional switch to disable non-essential layers during testing.
•     Deferred Protection Activation – security shields initialize post-kernel, allowing faster boot sequencing.

Final Message to the Community:

Windows 8 proved that startup can be instant. Windows 12 has the power to activate that again. I propose a new bootloader that launches like a beam — not a bundle. Speed, modularity, protection. — Kikerro