Microsoft says 8GB of RAM should be enough for anyone running Windows 11
Redmond adds new items to its make-Windows-better list
Microsoft has announced it aims to improve Windows 11's memory efficiency, asserting that eight gigabytes of RAM should suffice for most users. Pavan Davuluri, executive VP for Windows and Devices, explained that the company has been steadily implementing several memory efficiency enhancements, such as employing a more efficient memory allocator, refining WinUI 3, and optimizing Chromium and Webview2 components.
Despite these improvements, Davuluri acknowledged that memory efficiency has yet to be fully realized. The new focus on memory optimization for 8GB and above is aimed at reducing Windows' memory footprint to ensure a fast and responsive experience across everyday PCs. Microsoft's system requirements for Windows 11 set the baseline at 4GB of memory, but the company's new priorities also include enhancing the out-of-box experience, simplifying parental controls, and making voice interaction more natural across apps.
The move is seen as a response to user frustration, as well as an attempt to stay competitive in a declining PC market, which IDC predicts will face an 11.3 percent shipment slump in 2026, followed by a 20 percent decline in calendar Q4.
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- Microsoft will make Windows work well with just 8GB RAM. We desperately need it digitaltrends.com
- Microsoft says 8GB of RAM should be enough for anyone running Windows 11 theregister.com
