Microsoft has begun rolling out performance optimizations for Windows 11 designed to make the operating system up to 20 percent faster and improve multitasking by up to 40 percent on memory-constrained computers. The updates target lower-end hardware configurations, specifically addressing memory pressures on systems equipped with 8 GB of RAM.
An 8 GB PC running Windows 11 had nearly 6 GB of memory occupied before a user even opened a single application, as Windows Latest indicated in previous figures. Under the hood, Windows 11 can now retain up to 2 GB more active data directly in memory rather than offloading it to slower storage drives. Additional savings come from how the operating system handles built-in features and applications.
RAM Prices Surge as Manufacturers Prioritize AI Chips
Google cited Morgan Stanley data noting RAM prices of roughly $2.80 per gigabyte a year ago compared to about $12 now, as noted by The Next Web, while manufacturers have directed their output toward high-bandwidth chips for artificial intelligence data centers. Independent analysis and technical reviews have examined nuances in these performance claims. The 20% figure announced by Microsoft compares response times for Search, Start, context menus, Settings, Snipping Tool, and File Explorer between version 26300.9550 and the older 26200.7628, with none of these comparisons measuring memory, as pointed out by The Next Web.
A test conducted by Windows Latest found that a 16 GB laptop used approximately 2 GB less memory, while an 8 GB PC remained unchanged at a 96% utilization level. Davuluri’s work on memory continues through the end of 2026 and will be deployed gradually.
Managing Staged Rollout Plans
Features such as a redesigned Search function are currently available exclusively to Windows Insiders before reaching all users later in the year.