Windows 11 26H2 cuts RAM use on 8GB PCs to 3.7GB

After updating to Windows 11 26H2, memory usage on an 8GB laptop fell from 5GB to 3.7GB after a restart, and on a clean 8GB virtual machine from 4.1GB to 2.8–3.1GB. Microsoft calls memory optimization for 8GB PCs a priority and says Windows can now keep up to 2GB more active data in RAM.

• 8GB laptop RAM use after restart dropped from 5GB to 3.7GB
• Clean 8GB VM fell from 4.1GB to 2.8–3.1GB
• Widgets on 8GB PCs load only when opened, saving over 200MB
• Microsoft claims Windows 11 is up to 20% more responsive