Microsoft improves Windows 11 performance on 8 GB PCs as RAM prices keep climbing
We've got a hunch the memory crunch is taking a bite out of Windows revenue
Microsoft aims to enhance Windows 11 performance on systems with 8 GB of RAM, amid rising RAM prices. The tech giant announced adjustments to memory management that will make the operating system 20 percent more responsive and 40 percent faster at multitasking on low-end machines. Windows 11 will now store up to 2 GB more active data in memory before offloading it to slower storage.
The browser Edge will also launch up to 33 percent faster on 8 GB PCs, thanks to direct connections to the browser. Microsoft apps like Teams are being optimized, with Efficiency Mode enabled by default on 8 GB machines, resulting in a 20 percent faster launch time. Widgets will only load when used, and Edge tabs will now only go to sleep after 15 minutes instead of 2 hours.
Microsoft also enabled third-party apps to utilize these enhancements. The company provided benchmark data comparing 2026 Windows machines with 2021 models, finding that a 2026 Dell XPS 13 with 8 GB of RAM performed similarly to a 2021 Dell XPS 13 with 16 GB across selected workloads. Microsoft's improved performance on lower-end systems comes as it subtly encourages users to purchase newer hardware, despite the high costs.
The company's Q4 2026 earnings showed a 7 percent decrease in Windows OEM and devices revenue, while its Q1 2027 results showed a 22 percent drop in Windows OEM and devices revenue.
Written by urgent.news from The Register Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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