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Microsoft Optimizes Windows for 8 GB PCs

Software2 min read

Microsoft says it has made Windows faster on entry-level PCs with 8 GB of memory. The changes aim to make small-memory computers useful for everyday tasks.

What happened

Microsoft wrote in a blog post that its developers have made Windows noticeably faster on PCs with 8 GB of RAM. RAM is the fast memory a computer uses while it runs programs. In internal lab tests, Windows reacts up to 20 percent faster and multitasks up to 40 percent faster. Windows 11 version 26H2 is needed, and users must turn on the setting that gets the newest updates right away.

Key numbers

  • Up to 20 percent faster response on 8 GB PCs (lab tests)
  • Up to 40 percent faster multitasking in a demo with 20 browser tabs, a 4K video, and large Word, PowerPoint and Excel files
  • Up to 2 GB more active data kept in RAM on low-memory systems
  • Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook together save 360 MB of memory
  • Teams starts up to 20 percent faster on 8 GB PCs

Why memory is a problem

Newer versions of Windows use a lot of memory. When memory prices rise, cheaper PCs with only 8 GB become more common. Microsoft earlier promised changes to cut Windows' memory use, and it says the first goals have now been reached. The company also shows that newer hardware helps. In one test, a 2026 Dell XPS 13 with 8 GB delivered up to 94 percent more multi-core CPU power than an 8 GB model from 2021.

Why it matters

Many people use computers with 8 GB of memory. If Windows runs well on these machines, they stay useful for longer. Microsoft also wants apps to share common parts instead of each bringing their own, so they use less memory overall. The company says it will keep working on memory compression and on lower memory use by PC makers and chip makers.

What to watch

  • Whether the speed gains show up for normal users after updates
  • Further work on memory compression in Windows
  • Apps such as WinUI 3 programs (File Explorer, Notepad, Paint, new Windows search) starting faster and using less memory
  • Whether third-party apps like the WhatsApp Windows app use less memory, as Microsoft says

Glossary

RAM
Fast memory a computer uses while it runs programs. More RAM lets more programs run smoothly at once.
WinUI 3
Microsoft's modern toolkit for building the look and parts of Windows apps.
Teams
Microsoft's app for chat, video calls and team work.

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