Microsoft vows to make Windows 11 fly on 8GB RAM amid memory shortage — optimizations to reduce OS memory footprint have begun

https://www.tomshardware.com/author/jowi-morales· Aug 1, 2026 · 2:48 PM UTC ·9 min read · 0 reactions · 0 comments · 69 views

#windows #memory #software #technology

TL;DR · WeSearch summary

Microsoft announced that it will optimize Windows 11 to run more efficiently on devices with 8 GB of RAM, addressing concerns about memory shortages. The company said the updates will improve the out‑of‑the‑box experience, parental controls, and voice interactions while reducing the OS memory footprint. These changes are being rolled out as preview features for Windows Insiders and are expected to reach general users in the coming weeks or months.

Key facts

▪Microsoft plans to optimize Windows 11 for systems with 8 GB of RAM or more as part of its March 2026 improvement promise.
▪The official minimum RAM requirement for Windows 11 is 4 GB, but many users and builders recommend 16 GB or more for smooth performance.
▪A global RAM shortage has pushed manufacturers to use lower‑capacity DDR4 memory, prompting Microsoft to reduce the OS’s memory usage.
▪If Windows 11 performs poorly on 8 GB devices, users may switch to macOS, Linux, or alternative platforms like SteamOS.

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Publication time	Sat, 01 Aug 2026 14:48:26 +0000
Retrieval time	2026-08-01T14:53:41.866Z
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Software Operating Systems Windows Microsoft vows to make Windows 11 fly on 8GB RAM amid memory shortage — optimizations to reduce OS memory footprint have begun News By Jowi Morales Published 1 August 2026 Windows 11 is about to go on a diet When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Getty Images) Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Microsoft said that it’s planning to optimize Windows 11 for systems with 8GB of RAM and above as part of its promise to improve Windows 11 in March 2026.

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