- Microsoft admits that Windows 11 consumes more RAM than desired and announces optimizations focused on computers with 8 GB or more.
- The improvements include a more efficient memory allocator, tweaks to WinUI 3, and optimizations to Chromium and WebView2.
- The context: rising RAM prices, performance issues with the Surface Laptop with 8 GB, and the arrival of the Copilot+ PC with a minimum of 16 GB.
- The changes are expected to arrive with the 26H2 update in late 2026, although Microsoft has not given specific dates.
Microsoft has acknowledged that Windows 11 consumes excessive RAM , a problem that particularly affects computers with 8 GB, the most common configuration among users. The company has announced a plan to optimize the operating system and reduce its memory footprint, aiming to make computers with limited resources run more smoothly without requiring hardware upgrades.
The decision comes at a time when RAM prices have skyrocketed due to the demand for artificial intelligence, making it difficult to upgrade equipment. Furthermore, recent tests of the Surface Laptop with 8GB of RAM have shown freezes and poor performance, highlighting the need to tweak the system. Microsoft wants to prevent the move to Copilot+ PCs, which require 16GB of RAM, from leaving millions of users behind who are still working with 8GB.
Technical measures to lighten the system
Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft's Windows and Devices lead, explained that the optimization will focus on devices with 8 GB or more of RAM . Among the confirmed improvements are a more efficient memory allocator that reduces fragmentation and wasted memory, as well as adjustments to the WinUI 3 framework so that modern applications consume fewer resources by design. Chromium-based components and WebView2, which typically increase system resource consumption, will also be optimized.
These changes are already being tested internally and, according to Davuluri, have been rolling out to Insiders over the past few months . The company expects that combining these techniques will allow computers with 8GB of RAM to run multiple applications simultaneously without constantly using the hard drive for swap space, improving overall performance and preventing Windows 11 from consuming excessive hard drive space through paging.
Why now? The market context and AI
The rising cost of RAM, driven by demand from data centers and artificial intelligence, has led manufacturers to offer devices with 8 GB as standard , a figure that has become insufficient for everyday use. Microsoft has seen its 8 GB Surface Laptop crash, and budget mini PCs are even being sold without RAM. Faced with this reality, the company has prioritized system optimization over new visual features.
Furthermore, Copilot+ PCs require 16 GB of RAM to run local AI features, leaving computers with only 8 GB ineligible. Microsoft wants Windows 11 to remain lightweight and efficient for most hardware, without promising features it can't deliver. This way, users with older computers can extend their lifespan with a performance -focused upgrade that prioritizes stability and performance without sacrificing smoothness.
When will these improvements arrive?
Microsoft hasn't given an exact date, but several sources suggest the optimizations could be included in the 26H2 update , expected in late 2026, likely in October. Davuluri mentioned that the changes will be rolled out gradually starting in the fall. However, the company hasn't confirmed whether it will modify the official minimum requirement of 4 GB of RAM, which remains in place even though many consider it insufficient.
Meanwhile, users with 8GB of RAM can expect a noticeable improvement in everyday performance, especially when running multiple browser tabs alongside documents. The optimization won't transform an 8GB PC into a Copilot+ PC , but it will make the system more responsive without requiring an investment in new hardware. Microsoft has made it clear that its commitment to WinUI is long-term, removing the number from the platform name to avoid confusion.
Ultimately, the company seeks to balance its commitment to artificial intelligence with the reality of a hardware market that, for the most part, still doesn't meet the requirements to fully leverage it. With these measures, Windows 11 promises to be more efficient and stable, extending the lifespan of current computers and offering a smoother experience to those who can't afford to upgrade their RAM.
