Microsoft promises faster Windows 11 boot times and better performance on 8GB PCs

Microsoft has announced plans to enhance Windows 11 in 2026, with a focus on reducing boot times and improving performance on machines with 8GB of RAM. Mark Linton, Corporate Vice President of Windows & Devices at Microsoft, revealed these improvements during a presentation at IFA 2026. The company aims to make Windows 11 run smoothly on 8GB machines, addressing issues such as slow boot times and unresponsive Windows Hello.

Linton emphasized that Microsoft remains committed to improving the fundamentals of Windows 11, listening to customer feedback, and continuously refining the operating system. Although Microsoft has not provided concrete performance figures or specified when these improvements will be released, the tech giant has previously outlined plans to make File Explorer more responsive, reduce memory consumption, and speed up the Start menu and Search.

Despite some positive changes, such as the ability to customize the taskbar and Start menu, and enhanced Search functionality, concerns remain about the operating system's performance on 8GB machines, as illustrated by the struggles of the 8GB Surface Laptop with certain tasks. Microsoft has also faced criticism for problematic patches that have caused game crashes and unexpected reboots.