Microsoft to optimize Windows 11 for 8-GB RAM systems

Microsoft has pledged to optimize Windows 11 for systems equipped with 8 GB of RAM following user complaints regarding performance issues. Users reported significant lag and stuttering on devices with this memory configuration, which is a standard specification for many entry-level and mid-range notebooks.

This move marks a reversal of Microsoft’s May recommendation, which suggested 16 GB of RAM as the standard. The shift follows a significant rise in DRAM prices, making 8 GB configurations more common for manufacturers and consumers.

However, the optimization will not include compatibility with Copilot+ features. Current hardware specifications, such as those from Lenovo, indicate that 16 GB of RAM is required to access these AI-driven functions, with 8 GB models being explicitly labeled as “Non-Copilot” versions.