How Windows 11 is making smarter use of memory on 8 GB PCs
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Microsoft announced a major update to Windows 11 that targets devices with 8 GB of RAM, delivering up to 20 % faster responsiveness and up to 40 % quicker multitasking in internal lab tests. The changes focus on three pillars: smarter memory allocation, prioritizing user‑initiated actions, and reducing the memory footprint of core apps. New compression algorithms keep an additional 2 GB of active data in RAM, limiting swaps to slower storage. The OS now temporarily boosts priority for actions such as opening Start, searching, or launching Settings, while throttling background tasks like indexing. Integrated improvements in Microsoft Teams and Edge further cut launch times, with Edge connections up to 33 % faster. Users can see the benefits immediately after a restart or update, without needing hardware upgrades.
💡 Why It Matters
- · By squeezing more performance out of existing low‑end hardware, Windows 11 extends the usable life of budget PCs and reduces the pressure on consumers to replace devices.
