GoKawiilMicrosoft ships Windows 11 update improving performance on 8GB RAM PCs
Microsoft released a Windows 11 update that it says makes the OS up to 20 percent more responsive and multitasking up to 40 percent faster on PCs with 8GB of RAM, according to Windows chief Pavan Davuluri. The gains come largely from improved memory compression, letting Windows keep up to 2GB more active data in RAM rather than offloading it to slower disk storage, alongside memory-saving changes to Edge, widgets, and Microsoft 365 apps that Davuluri says cut committed-memory growth by up to 900MB.
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The update targets machines with lower-spec hardware, which could extend the usable life of budget and older PCs that might otherwise feel sluggish under Windows 11's demands. Microsoft says further memory optimizations are planned, including smarter compression and closer work with PC and chip makers on hardware memory reservations, suggesting this is part of a longer-term push to reduce the RAM baseline needed for a smooth Windows experience.
- Windows 11 is reportedly up to 20% more responsive and 40% faster at multitasking on 8GB RAM PCs, per Microsoft
- Improved memory compression and app-level savings in Edge and Microsoft 365 are key drivers of the gains
- Microsoft says more memory optimizations, including smarter compression and hardware coordination, are coming in future months
Crucial 8GB DDR4 RAM Upgrade Kit — If you're running Windows 11 on an 8GB machine, a RAM upgrade is one of the most direct ways to complement Microsoft's new memory optimizations and keep multitasking smooth. Crucial's kits are easy to install and a popular choice for giving older laptops and desktops a new lease on life.
See Crucial 8GB DDR4 RAM Upgrade Kit on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: theverge.com — Tom Warren, 2026-11-03
Published there as: “Windows 11 is now ‘up to 40 percent faster’ on PCs with 8GB of RAM”
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