Following the recent rollout of the Windows 11 26H2 update, users have observed a significant reduction in RAM usage on 8GB PCs. A personal experience shared by a user revealed that after updating their father’s laptop, memory consumption dropped from 5GB to 3.3GB after a fresh restart. This trend was echoed in tests conducted on a virtual machine, where RAM usage decreased from 4.1GB to approximately 2.8GB to 3.2GB with the latest update.
Microsoft has prioritized memory optimization for 8GB PCs as part of its ongoing efforts through 2026. Although specific metrics were not initially disclosed, anecdotal evidence from users indicates that boot RAM usage has decreased by 1GB to 2GB, particularly on machines equipped with 16GB to 48GB of RAM. However, some users with 8GB systems reported still experiencing high memory usage, with one Reddit user noting that 96% of their memory remained in use.
My 8GB laptop used 1.7GB less RAM after the Windows 11 26H2 update
The laptop in question is not exactly a pristine setup. It features 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a SATA SSD, with various applications installed for both work and learning purposes. Prior to the update, running Windows 11 25H2, the Task Manager indicated that 5GB of RAM was in use after a restart, a figure that remained relatively stable.
After transitioning to Windows 11 26H2, the memory usage dropped to 3.3GB, representing a 42% utilization rate, with 4.6GB available for other tasks. The reduction in compressed memory from 324MB to 62.7MB suggests that the operating system is now more efficient in managing resources post-boot.
While no formal benchmarks were conducted, the user noted a slight improvement in the responsiveness of switching between Chrome tabs. To further investigate, a fresh installation of Windows 11 25H2 was tested on a virtual machine, which initially showed 4.1GB of RAM usage. After updating to 26H2, the RAM usage fell to between 2.8GB and 3.2GB, although speed differences were negligible given the absence of installed applications.
Microsoft says Windows 11 can keep up to 2GB more data in memory
On October 15, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of Windows experiences, Navjot Virk, provided insights into the memory management improvements in a blog post. She stated, “Windows can now keep up to 2GB more of your active data in memory instead of moving it to slower storage.” Additionally, the update allows Widgets to load only when accessed, freeing up over 200MB for other tasks. Microsoft also claims that Windows 11 is now up to 20% more responsive, although this figure compares the new build against an older version.
However, the reported numbers may not align perfectly with Task Manager readings. The 2GB figure refers to active data retention in fast memory, while the 200MB savings from Widgets optimization represent a smaller portion of the overall memory management improvements. The user’s experience of a 1.3GB drop in RAM usage suggests that the optimizations extend beyond just Widgets.
Interestingly, the separation of Widgets from the Discover feed has contributed to the observed RAM savings, as the MSN feed no longer loads in the background. However, engaging with the Discover feed can lead to a gradual increase in RAM usage back to previous levels.
Looking ahead, there are hopes that Microsoft will enhance the efficiency of Widgets by transitioning them to WinUI instead of relying on WebView2. The company’s previous updates hinted at improvements in memory allocation and application design aimed at reducing overall memory consumption.
8GB laptops are back, and Windows 11 still has work to do
Microsoft’s focus on memory optimization has become increasingly relevant as the cost of RAM continues to rise. This shift has led to a resurgence of 8GB laptops on the market, including the Surface Laptop 13, which now starts with 8GB at a price point of 9. Even devices that were once marketed with higher RAM configurations are now being offered with 8GB options.
While the current landscape poses challenges for buyers, the reduction in idle RAM consumption on Windows 11 devices is a silver lining. The ongoing RAM shortage, driven in part by the demands of AI data centers, has inadvertently led to a leaner Windows 11 experience for users. As Microsoft continues to refine its operating system, the hope remains that 8GB PCs will not only show improved RAM metrics but also deliver a seamless user experience when multitasking with various applications.
