Microsoft has initiated an infrastructure effort to improve Windows 11, focusing on memory efficiency and other core system areas. Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft's head of Windows and Devices, stated that PCs with 8GB of RAM will be a focus for the company moving forward.

The optimization aims to make Windows 11 run faster on systems equipped with 8GB of RAM. Davuluri identified four primary areas for this effort: memory optimization for 8GB and above, onboarding and setup, family controls, and voice interaction. Davuluri stated that these memory optimization improvements are expected to continue through the end of 2026 (claim:12).

We want to reduce Windows’ memory consumption to deliver a fast and responsive experience
— Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft's head of Windows and Devices

The company intends to reduce the amount of memory Windows 11 uses before a user opens any applications (claim:27). Davuluri noted on X that Microsoft has been introducing improvements such as using a more efficient memory allocator to reduce overhead, tuning the WinUI 3 framework so apps use less memory by design, and driving efficiencies across Chromium and WebView2 components.

Addressing memory constraints and market competition

While current Windows 11 hardware requirements specify 4GB of RAM (claim:16), 8GB configurations are available (claim:22) in devices such as Microsoft's Surface Laptop and Dell's XPS 13. Reports indicate that a memory crisis, driven by AI customers consuming a major portion of RAM supply, has led laptop manufacturers to shift back to 8GB RAM configurations. This shift occurs as consumers can only afford 8GB laptops within specific budgets.

A Dell XPS 13 laptop with 8GB of RAM running Windows 11 used 70 percent of memory without any windows or programs open (claim:23). The memory shortage is expected to persist until 2028, potentially making 8GB configurations the standard (claim:28). This follows the launch of the MacBook Neo, an 8GB RAM Mac, as competitors like Dell target the affordable notebook sector.

System usability and user experience

Beyond memory, Microsoft will improve the out-of-box experience, which involves the first setup process including inputting a Microsoft account and choosing backup restoration. The company is also focusing on family controls, intended to provide faster setup and easier access to parental controls, and making voice interaction more natural and fluid across applications.

These developments follow a March commitment to improve Windows speed, stability, and user control. Since that commitment, Microsoft has changed the Windows Insider program, previewed Taskbar and Start menu changes, quieted Windows widgets, and modified File Explorer. The company also promised to scale back Copilot and reduce its prevalence in native apps.

We’re going to take everything we’ve learned since March and keep listening.
— Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft's head of Windows and Devices

Microsoft has not publicly specified Key Performance Indicators for determining the acceptable performance and responsiveness of low-end PCs.