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Microsoft improves Windows 11 performance on 8 GB PCs as RAM prices keep climbing

SoftwareNovember 4, 20261 min read

Microsoft says it has made Windows 11 run better on computers with only 8 GB of memory (RAM). The change comes as RAM prices keep rising.

What happened

Microsoft said it is "raising the bar" for Windows 11 PCs with 8 GB of RAM. RAM is the short-term memory a computer uses to run programs. Microsoft says these computers will feel faster and handle many tasks at once more smoothly, thanks to changes in how Windows manages memory.

Key numbers

Up to 20 percent more responsive on 8 GB PCs, according to Microsoft.
Up to 40 percent faster at multitasking, according to Microsoft.
Windows 11 keeps up to 2 GB more active data in memory before moving it to slower storage.
Edge can launch up to 33 percent faster when it is already running in the background.
Edge tabs go to sleep after 15 minutes by default, down from two hours.

Why RAM is in the news

RAM prices are going up because of high demand from AI data centers. Microsoft also sells Copilot+ PCs, which need at least 16 GB of RAM. Microsoft's own tests compared a 2026 Dell XPS 13 with 8 GB of RAM to a 2021 model with 16 GB. The 2026 model did about as well on selected tasks.

Why it matters

Many people cannot afford computers with more memory right now. Making cheaper machines work well helps them. At the same time, Microsoft says heavy tasks like 3D modeling and advanced video editing need 16 GB or more. The article notes that Microsoft's Windows device sales fell 7 percent in its Q4 2026 results, so the company may also want people to buy newer PCs.

What to watch

Whether the speed gains are seen in real use on 8 GB PCs.
How RAM prices change over the next months.
Whether third-party apps adopt the same memory tweaks, as Microsoft says it is enabling.
Whether Windows device sales recover.

Glossary

RAM: Short-term memory in a computer. It holds the programs and data the computer is using right now.
Windows 11: Microsoft's main operating system, the software that runs a computer and its programs.
Copilot+ PCs: Microsoft's premium Windows computers with AI features. They need at least 16 GB of RAM.
Edge: Microsoft's web browser, used to visit websites.

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