Windows 11 Now Runs Faster on PCs With Just 8GB of RAM

Microsoft has rolled out a significant performance update for Windows 11 designed specifically to breathe new life into entry-level computers with 8 gigabytes of RAM.

The announcement comes as a direct response to growing user frustration and industry criticism over whether 8GB of memory is enough to handle modern operating systems and multitasking workloads smoothly.

When users open Task Manager on an 8GB PC, they often see most of their memory already in use. However, Microsoft explains that high memory utilization does not automatically mean a computer is struggling, provided the system knows how to manage its resources effectively.

To improve everyday performance, Microsoft tuned Windows 11 memory compression. Instead of constantly pushing inactive data out to slower storage drives or solid-state drives, the operating system can now compress active data more efficiently. This allows Windows to keep up to 2GB of additional active data directly in fast RAM, significantly reducing the chances that an open browser tab or background application will need to reload when returning to it.

Beyond memory compression, Microsoft focused heavily on reducing interface delays and latency during daily tasks. According to internal lab telemetry and testing, Windows 11 is now up to 20% more responsive across everyday interactions.

Common actions, such as opening the Start menu, launching Search, clicking right-click menus, navigating Settings, using the Snipping Tool, and browsing files in File Explorer, feel noticeably quicker.

Microsoft Edge has also received targeted speed improvements. When users click a link or open the browser from the Start menu, Windows can now connect directly to an already running instance of Edge rather than searching for it from scratch. This optimization allows the browser to open up to 33% faster.

Popular productivity apps are also doing their part to lighten the load on constrained machines. Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, have been optimized to reduce committed-memory growth by up to 360 megabytes during multitasking sessions.

To receive these performance improvements, users need Windows 11 version 26H2, running build 26300.9818 or later.