Windows 11 8GB RAM PCs get faster with new memory changes
Microsoft said on Tuesday, November 3, that Windows 11 now runs better on PCs with 8GB of RAM, thanks to changes in Windows 11 version 26H2 and in its own apps. The company says these PCs are up to 20 percent more responsive and up to 40 percent faster at multitasking. To get the changes now, you need a recent optional Windows update and current versions of Edge, Microsoft 365 and Teams.
What Microsoft changed
Pavan Davuluri, who runs Windows and devices at Microsoft, outlined the work in a Windows Experience Blog post. Microsoft says it tuned how Windows compresses and pages memory specifically for 8GB PCs. The main changes:
- More data stays in RAM. Windows can keep up to 2GB more of your active data in memory instead of moving it to slower storage.
- Background work backs off. Windows holds back background tasks such as search indexing while you're actively using the PC.
- Widgets loads on demand. On PCs with 8GB of memory or less, Widgets now loads only when you open it. Microsoft says that cuts memory commitment by roughly 200MB while it's closed.
- Edge tabs sleep sooner. Inactive tabs in Microsoft Edge now go to sleep after 15 minutes by default, down from two hours.
- Teams gets lighter. Teams can turn on Efficiency Mode by default on 8GB PCs, which Microsoft says helps it launch up to 20 percent faster.
Edge can also open up to 33 percent faster when it's already running in the background. That uses the accelerated app launch feature Microsoft announced on Thursday, October 29, and it needs Edge 150 or later on build 26300.9818 or later.
Microsoft's numbers
The 20 percent figure comes from Microsoft's own telemetry for Start, search, right-click menus, Settings, Snipping Tool and File Explorer, comparing a January 2026 build with a 26H2 build. The 40 percent multitasking figure comes from a Microsoft lab test on an HP OmniBook 3 with a Snapdragon X Plus chip, running 20 Edge tabs, a 4K video, Office files, Outlook and File Explorer at once. Microsoft says that lab result is specific to the scenario and configuration and is not a benchmark.
Across Windows, Edge and Microsoft 365, the company says its September multitasking tests showed committed-memory growth cut by up to 900MB. Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook account for 360MB of that. Microsoft also says WhatsApp is seeing double-digit memory improvements in its Windows app.
What's coming next
Microsoft says more work will land over the next few months. It plans smarter memory compression and shared web engines, so Search and Widgets use one, and OneDrive and Photos use another. File Explorer, Notepad, Paint and the new Windows search are moving to WinUI 3, and Microsoft says they're designed to open faster and use less memory. It's also working with PC makers, chip partners and third-party developers to cut memory use further.
How to get the improvements
You need Windows 11 version 26H2, build 26300.9818 or later. That build arrived with KB5127936, an optional preview update Microsoft released on Wednesday, October 28. To get it now:
- Open Settings, then Windows Update.
- Turn on "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available."
- Select Check for updates.
Some of the changes arrive through app updates instead, so keep Edge, Microsoft 365 and Teams up to date through their own updaters or the Microsoft Store.
What it means for you
If your Windows 11 laptop has 8GB of RAM and slows down with a busy browser, these changes are aimed at you. Install the update, keep your Microsoft apps current and see whether everyday tasks feel quicker. The figures above are Microsoft's, and your results will depend on your hardware and apps.
Microsoft says demanding work such as 3D modeling, advanced video editing or large-scale data processing benefits from 16GB of memory or more. If you're weighing an upgrade, our guide to how much RAM you need can help, and our guide to speeding up a slow laptop covers other free fixes. Not sure your PC can run Windows 11 at all? Try our Windows 11 CPU checker.