Windows 11's latest update makes 8GB PCs 20% more responsive, and multitasking up to 40% faster
Microsoft's plan to improve Windows 11 is still ongoing.
Microsoft has delivered on its promise to enhance Windows 11, specifically targeting PCs with 8GB of RAM. According to a blog post by Pavan Davuluri, EVP of Windows and Devices, the latest update to Windows 11 brings substantial improvements to memory optimization, interactions, and app performance.
The update aims to improve memory management across all Windows 11 PCs, prioritize instant interactions even under heavy loads, and reduce memory requirements for key applications. As a result, Windows 11 PCs with 8GB of RAM will be 20% more responsive in general, and multitasking could be up to 40% faster.
Microsoft also fine-tuned the OS's compression algorithm for better performance on 8GB PCs, enabling it to store up to 2GB more active data in memory. The speed improvements are evident in everyday interactions such as opening Start, searching, right-clicking, launching Settings, using the Snipping Tool, and opening File Explorer. These changes should feel 20% snappier compared to the January 2026 update.
Key apps, like Microsoft Teams, are also benefiting from the update. Teams can run faster and utilize fewer system resources on 8GB PCs, even adjusting the camera resolution to free up processor capacity for audio. This update also includes an efficiency mode for Teams to reduce system resource usage further.
To demonstrate the impact, Microsoft conducted a test with an 8GB PC running 20 tabs simultaneously, including Microsoft Edge, a 4K video, a large Word document, PowerPoint, Excel files, Outlook, and File Explorer. The company reported that such intensive workflows run 40% faster on the updated Windows 11 than on the January 2026 build, with committed memory growth reduced by up to 900MB.
Looking ahead, Microsoft plans to implement further improvements, including the rollout of WinUI3 to more parts of Windows 11, and to merge Search and Widgets into a single web engine. As part of its K2 Windows 11 improvement initiative, Microsoft has already made several updates, such as rolling back the integration of CoPilot, moving the taskbar to the top, bottom, left, or right, improving Windows Update's restart behavior, and making Windows Search faster and less cluttered.
Written by urgent.news from XDA Developers's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
