Microsoft releases Windows 11 memory update aimed at 8GB PCs

Microsoft released a Windows 11 update on Nov. 3, 2026, with further memory improvements for PCs with 8GB of RAM, Tom Warren reported for The Verge. Windows chief Pavan Davuluri put the gains at up to 20% better responsiveness and up to 40% faster multitasking on 8GB PCs in Microsoft’s lab tests. Neowin notes that results vary by device and use.

Davuluri said memory compression lets Windows keep up to 2GB more active data in memory instead of moving it to slower storage, . That is a claim about how Windows uses available memory, not an increase in physical RAM. On 8GB PCs, Windows 11 now waits to load Widgets until the panel opens, saving around 200MB of RAM, . Inactive Edge tabs sleep after 15 minutes by default on 8GB configurations, .