Microsoft says it will make Windows 11 apps run smoothly with 8GB RAM on your PC
Last Updated: 2026-08-03 10:24:27
Windows 11 PCs need a lot of RAM to keep multiple Chrome tabs and other apps running smoothly. But Microsoft is having a rethink about how its operating system is RAM-hungry amid the ongoing memory shortage.
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Microsoft to optimize Windows 11 for 8GB RAM.- Previously, 16GB RAM was often recommended.
- Optimization driven by ongoing memory shortage.
The company has recently said that it will optimise Windows 11 to such an extent that 8GB memory will be good enough to run all the tasks without feeling underpowered.
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It is intriguing to see Microsoft change its tune over memory usage, especially when the company has stressed the need for 16GB RAM for brands to sell their PCs with the Copilot + tag in the market.
Changing its RAM tune
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We are seeing the comeback of 4GB RAM on smartphones in 2026 which would have been unthinkable 12 months ago. And the same impact is now getting clearer in the PC market with Microsoft itself admitting to the need to overhaul its OS and make it smooth and optimised enough to use less memory.
The budget laptop market is taking a hit because of the higher memory and storage configurations. Windows was always the ideal and affordable alternative to Macs and the recent price hikes have made it even more obvious. However, not that long ago, the company recommended people to get PCs with 32GB RAM for the best performance.
The memory shortage has completely wreaked their ambitions and even the supply for so-called budget laptops have been impacted. So, if Microsoft somehow manages to keep 8GB RAM running Windows 11 PCs smoothly, it is a win-win for everyone involved in this equation.
Was it always possible?
Microsoft making this change is positive but also makes you question why the company waited for the RAM shortage to take matters into its own hands. From asking people to buy PCs with 16 or 32GB RAM, to suggesting that Windows 11 will work fast enough with 8GB memory shows you how the right efforts can show results.
It also tells you that after charging a premium for the PCs to benefit their business, the same model takes a hit once the components become expensive to buy.
All said and done, the company needs to make sure these claims work out in real usage and we will be keeping an eye on the next updates that should handle the RAM crises better than we hope.