Microsoft boosts memory efficiency and speeds up key Windows features, while Edge, Teams and Microsoft 365 also receive performance improvements.
Memory shortages and rising prices have prompted many PC manufacturers to install less RAM in their desktops and laptops. In response, Microsoft has been working to improve Windows 11 performance on systems with limited memory, with the company maintaining that 8GB of RAM is sufficient for most everyday tasks.
Over the past few months, Windows developers have focused on making the operating system more efficient, particularly in how it manages memory. One of the major improvements is enhanced memory compression, allowing Windows 11 to keep up to 2GB more active data in RAM instead of transferring it to slower storage.
This change is expected to reduce the frequency with which applications and browser tabs reload when users switch between tasks. As a result, systems with limited memory should deliver a smoother experience during everyday use.
Microsoft has also improved the responsiveness of several built-in Windows features. The Start menu, Search, Settings, Snipping Tool and File Explorer are now up to 20% faster, according to the company.
The improvements are partly driven by changes to resource management. Windows 11 now gives greater priority to processor resources used by active applications while reducing the resources allocated to background processes. Microsoft Edge and Teams also get faster
The performance improvements extend beyond Windows itself, with Microsoft Edge, Teams and Microsoft 365 receiving updates aimed at reducing resource consumption and improving responsiveness.
Microsoft Edge can now open new windows up to 33% faster when the browser is already running in the background. This could make switching between browsing sessions quicker, particularly on computers with limited memory.
Microsoft Teams has also received performance improvements, with the application running up to 20% faster on systems equipped with 8GB of RAM.
Meanwhile, Microsoft 365 applications have been updated to consume less memory overall, helping users run productivity software more efficiently.
These changes reflect Microsoft’s efforts to improve the Windows experience on lower-memory computers, particularly as higher hardware costs and memory shortages encourage manufacturers to offer systems with more modest specifications.