A new Windows 11 update is beginning to roll out to users across the globe, but this update isn't adding flashy new AI features or mindlessly moving things around.Microsoft is delivering on its prior commitments and plenty of insider testing to bring real performance improvements to Windows 11, especially for computers working with only 8GB of memory.In a world where computers and memory have gotten more expensive, these are the updates that make an impact.
Add How-To Geek on Google Add as Preferred Source Follow on Google Discover How Microsoft is making Windows 11 more efficient Windows 11 wants to be smarter with your memory Out of the gate, Microsoft is making bold claims that Windows 11 will now be up to 20% more responsive and multitask up to 40% faster with only 8GB of memory, substantial improvements that will make affordable PCs more reliable.This isn't magic, either, as Microsoft detailed the exact steps it took to make Windows 11 more intelligent and streamlined.Windows 11 can now keep up to 2GB more of your data in memory, ensuring returning to an open app or tab stays responsive instead of reloading from storage.
This has been achieved through better background compression, and a smarter approach to when and how to move your open apps and tabs in and out of memory.Microsoft has also tuned core Windows 11 experiences, such as opening the Start Menu, right-clicking, beginning a Windows Search, opening the Snipping Tool, and beyond, by dynamically scaling down background processes like search indexing or update setup when you're actively using your computer.The Widgets menu will now only load Widgets on low-memory PCs when it's opened, too, instead of constantly eating memory in the background.
Recently announced as "Accelerated App Launches" with Microsoft Edge as the pilot, Windows 11 should also be faster at opening links and launching your apps that are already running in the background, by streamlining how Windows searches for these apps.Microsoft claims apps optimized like this can launch up to 33% faster, especially during heavy workloads.Microsoft is focusing on optimizing its suite of apps, specifically highlighting Teams, 365 Office, Microsoft Edge, and Outlook as reducing memory growth and potentially saving up to hundreds of MBs of memory.
Third-party apps can also take advantage of these Windows 11 optimizations, too, with apps like WhatsApp already on board.These improvements add up, but Microsoft apparently isn't done yet.Future Windows 11 update will bring further enhancements to memory optimization, such an even smarter and more efficient background data compression, having Windows features and apps share common parts to reduce system load, baseline memory improvements to the WinUI 3 platform many apps are built on, and optimization for how much memory your PC's hardware reserves.
Take advantage of these improvements now The update is already rolling out, and all PCs should benefit Whether you're rocking the minimum 8GB of memory or 128GB, this Windows 11 update should help your computer feel more responsive, especially when you're pushing your hardware to the max.Microsoft may be specifically calling out affordable PCs, especially recent releases going toe-to-toe with Apple's MacBook Neo, but we all benefit.You can go check for this update now, with improvements being included in version 26H2 and build 26300.9818 or later; be sure to update all your apps, too.
I've been enjoying these improvements myself by grabbing the update early, and Windows 11 has been feeling smoother than it did even a few months ago, especially on low-powered laptops like the cute and affordable HP OmniBook 5 14 I'm working on reviewing (stay tuned for that).If you're in the market for a new laptop but were concerned about the limitations of Windows 11 on 8GB of memory, you can take advantage of new deals for the holidays on top of these Windows 11 improvements, like getting the new Dell XPS 13 for $200 off.Dell XPS 13 (2026) $600 $800 Save $200 Operating System Windows 11 Home or Pro CPU Up to Intel Core Ultra 7 355, 8 cores, up to 4.7GHz GPU Integrated Intel Graphics RAM Up to 32GB LPDDR5x, up to 9600 MT/s Storage Up to 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD The Dell XPS 13 is a compact, premium Windows 11 laptop that delivers a stellar all-around experience.
Now, it runs even better with only 8GB of memory, and it's on sale to boot.$600 at Best Buy From $700 at Dell Expand Collapse
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