{
  "id": 17253,
  "title": "Microsoft will make Windows work well with just 8GB RAM. We desperately need it",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/01/microsoft-will-make-windows-work-well-with-just-8gb-ram-we",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-01T08:52:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Digital Trends",
    "slug": "digital-trends",
    "url": "https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/microsoft-will-make-windows-work-well-with-just-8gb-ram-we-desperately-need-it/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Microsoft is planning to optimize Windows to run smoothly on devices with just 8GB of RAM, reflecting a significant shift in the company's approach after years of frustrating users with confusing processes, unoptimized UI elements, and excessive bloatware. This move comes as the demand for AI features in Windows, such as Copilot, is proving to be too taxing on hardware, especially on older laptops with limited memory. The company's EVP of the Windows and Devices portfolio, Pavan Davuluri, announced that the goal is to reduce Windows' memory footprint to deliver a faster and more responsive experience on everyday PCs. However, the adoption of AI in Windows is becoming increasingly difficult due to the rising costs of RAM, with prices more than quadrupling in a year. Analysts predict that the sub-$500 entry-level PC segment will disappear by 2028, as memory costs are expected to make up 23% of the total bill-of-materials. Microsoft has previously attempted to push AI into every aspect of Windows, but it has since recognized the need to trim the bloatware to make budget laptops more functional. Intel is working on a solution with Project Dragonwing, and Microsoft hopes to deliver a smooth experience on 8GB of RAM devices.",
  "summary": "Optimizing the memory footprint is the next big goal for Windows. Let's hope Microsoft delivers on the promise.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Tom's Hardware",
        "title": "Microsoft vows to make Windows 11 fly on 8GB RAM amid memory shortage — optimizations to reduce OS memory footprint have begun",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/01/microsoft-vows-to-make-windows-11-fly-on-8gb-ram-amid-memory-shortage",
        "published": "2026-08-01T14:48:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Register",
        "title": "Microsoft says 8GB of RAM should be enough for anyone running Windows 11",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/microsoft-says-8gb-of-ram-should-be-enough-for-anyone-running-windows",
        "published": "2026-08-03T04:40:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}