{
  "id": 18030277,
  "title": "Microsoft improves Windows 11 performance on 8 GB PCs as RAM prices keep climbing",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/microsoft-improves-windows-11-performance-on-8-gb-pcs-as-ram-prices-18030277",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-03T21:38:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Register Science",
    "slug": "the-register-science",
    "url": "https://www.theregister.com/software/2026/11/03/microsoft-improves-windows-11-performance-on-8-gb-pcs-as-ram-prices-keep-climbing/5307382"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "We've got a hunch the memory crunch is taking a bite out of Windows revenue",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Engadget",
        "title": "Microsoft has listed some concrete ways that Windows 11 is getting better with 8GB of RAM",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/microsoft-has-listed-some-concrete-ways-that-windows-11-is-getting",
        "published": "2026-11-03T17:02:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}