Microsoft has introduced new optimisations for the Windows 11 operating system aimed at computers with limited random access memory. Thanks to changes in memory management and background processes, Windows 11 can now retain up to 2 GB more active data in RAM, rather than moving it to temporary storage space on the SSD.
According to Microsoft, computers with 8 GB RAM can be up to 20 per cent more responsive thanks to these changes, while performance when using multiple applications simultaneously has improved by up to 40 per cent. These are results from internal testing conducted by Microsoft, not independently verified measurements.
The optimisations are based on more efficient memory management, reduced background process activity, and adjustments to specific applications. In practice, this should mean fewer reloads of applications and web browser tabs, which is particularly important on devices with limited amounts of working memory.
Responsiveness improvements apply to everyday tasks such as opening the Start menu, searching, launching File Explorer, using the Snipping Tool and opening system settings. Microsoft also claims that the Edge browser can now launch up to 33 per cent faster, while the launch time for Teams, with appropriate efficiency settings, has been reduced by up to 20 per cent.
Microsoft states that it has also reduced the memory consumption of its office applications. In certain scenarios, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook together use approximately 360 MB less memory than before the optimisations, which further contributes to the overall efficiency of the system on computers with more modest hardware resources.
