Up to 20% More Responsive: Microsoft Says Windows 11 Runs Better on 8GB RAM
Performance changes across Windows
Microsoft says it has spent months improving Windows 11 after outlining a plan earlier this year focused on performance, reliability and the overall operating system experience. The company says the result is an experience that responds up to 20 percent faster.
Work has touched Start, File Explorer, Search, Edge and other areas. Navjot Virk, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of Windows experiences, said the company had improved memory management and efficiency to keep more system resources available for users’ active tasks.
More memory for active work
Microsoft says the memory changes are particularly helpful on computers with 8GB of RAM or less. Windows can keep up to 2GB more active data in memory rather than shifting it to slower storage, according to Virk.
On PCs with 8GB of memory or less, Widgets now load when opened. Microsoft says this makes more than 200 MB of memory available for apps and other work.
Updates and device features
The company has also made Windows Update less disruptive and simplified the Widgets section. Users can now move the taskbar to the sides or top of the display.
Microsoft says Windows Hello sign-in is faster and Bluetooth pairing is more reliable. AirPods pairing, in particular, is up to 15 seconds faster.
Windows Search expansion ahead
Microsoft’s next major step is a faster, more capable Windows Search experience. It is currently available to Windows Insiders. The company says it plans to make the new Search experience available more broadly later this year.
Key points
- Microsoft says Windows 11 is up to 20 percent more responsive after months of improvements.
- Windows can keep up to 2GB more active data in memory, according to the company.
- Widgets load only when opened on PCs with 8GB of memory or less.
- The new Windows Search is with Insiders now and is expected to reach more users later this year.