WhatsApp on Windows 11 Shifts to WebView2, Performance Suffers

The recent update, automatically rolled out via the Microsoft Store, transforms the WhatsApp desktop experience from a native application to what reviewers describe as a "glorified browser tab." This move means the app now functions as a WebView2 wrapper for its web counterpart, marking a departure from its previous native Windows app architecture, which was built with Electron. The shift has been met with considerable criticism, as users are reporting increased RAM usage, slower load times, and a generally laggy interface.

No official press release from WhatsApp or Meta regarding this specific update has been identified in the last 24 hours. However, the change is confirmed by multiple tech news outlets and numerous user reports detailing the immediate impact on performance and reliability.

Expert and User Reactions Highlight Regression

The change has been universally panned by tech journalists and the user community. Professional reviewers from Windows Central and Neowin have characterized the update as a significant "regression," noting that the application now feels sluggish and lacks the responsiveness of its predecessor. Tom Warren of The Verge starkly commented that "WhatsApp for Windows is now basically cooked—performance is garbage, and it’s a huge step backward for desktop users."

User feedback across platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and Microsoft Store reviews echoes these expert sentiments. Common complaints include:

• "Feels like using WhatsApp in a browser, not a real app."

• "Performance is terrible—laggy, slow, and eats up RAM."

• "Notifications are unreliable, and file sharing is buggy."

These reactions indicate a widespread dissatisfaction with the downgraded user experience.

Feature Sacrifices and Comparison to Previous Version

The move to a WebView2 container has not introduced any notable improvements in features or security. Instead, the change has led to a loss of several functionalities that were previously reliable in the native app. Desktop-specific features, such as seamless drag-and-drop file sharing and native notifications, are now reported to be less reliable or entirely missing for some users.

Here's a concise comparison highlighting the key differences between the previous native app and the current WebView2 version:

This table clearly illustrates the feature and performance regression that users are experiencing. Tech journalists and Windows enthusiasts are already advising users to consider reverting to the web version or exploring alternative messaging platforms due to the significant downgrade in the desktop user experience.