Microsoft says Windows 11 update frees up to 2GB of RAM on 8GB PCs

Microsoft is rolling out Windows 11 changes that keep more data in memory, load Widgets on demand and could make supported systems up to 20% more responsive.

Microsoft is beginning to push a set of Windows 11 changes that it says should make everyday use feel noticeably lighter, particularly on laptops with 8GB of memory. In a Windows Experience Blog post, Navjot Virk said the operating system can now keep up to 2GB more active data in RAM instead of moving it to slower storage, while Widgets on lower-memory PCs will load only when opened. Microsoft said those changes were developed with help from the Windows Insider community and are now starting to reach a wider audience.

The company is presenting the memory work as especially relevant for budget and older machines, where every megabyte matters. On systems with 8GB of RAM, Microsoft says on-demand Widgets free more than 200MB for apps and other tasks. The same post says it is also reducing background memory usage further, although it does not itemise every change. Microsoft ties the figures to Windows 11 build 26300.9550 and notes that real-world results will vary by device, configuration and use.

Microsoft also claims broader performance gains across the operating system. In its measurements, Windows 11 is said to be up to 20% more responsive, with improvements beginning at boot and extending to Start, File Explorer, Search, Snipping Tool, Microsoft 365 and Edge. The company says the tests compared build 26300.9550 with build 26200.7628, and that response times were measured across tasks such as Search, Start, the right-click menu, Settings, Snipping Tool and File Explorer. Microsoft cautions that rollout timing will differ by device and region.

The update is part of a wider set of Windows 11 refinements aimed at making the system feel less cumbersome. Microsoft says AirPods pairing can be up to 15 seconds faster, Bluetooth headphones should reconnect and handle calls more reliably, and Windows Hello sign-in should be improved for both face and fingerprint authentication. The company is also adding more control over when updates install, with coordinated updates designed to reduce restarts.

For gamers, Microsoft is also highlighting Advanced Shader Delivery, a feature intended to shorten loading times by delivering precompiled shaders for supported titles. The company names Forza Horizon 6 and Gears of War: E-Day as examples, and says users should install the Xbox PC app before downloading a supported game and keep graphics drivers current. Microsoft has not said which release channel each build belongs to, or exactly when every Windows 11 device will receive the memory and responsiveness changes.