Windows 11 update reduces RAM usage
Windows 11 26H2 has reduced RAM consumption on some PCs. According to initial tests and user feedback, the system may use 1,5-3 GB less RAM after the update.
Windows 11 has started consuming less RAM
On a computer with 48 GB of RAM, memory usage dropped from approximately 6.9 GB to 4,8-5 GB after system boot. On another system with 32 GB, the figure decreased from 9.1 GB to 7.5 GB.
In a Windows Latest test, a laptop with 16 GB of RAM used about 7 GB of memory after a reboot, whereas consumption previously often exceeded 10 GB. However, some users did not notice a significant improvement on computers with 8 GB of RAM.
The results cannot yet be considered universal. Memory usage is affected by background applications, caching, drivers, and system configuration. Furthermore, high RAM usage does not always indicate a problem. Windows uses free memory to cache data and releases it when necessary.
Microsoft did not announce a reduction in RAM consumption specifically for Windows 11 26H2. Therefore, it is currently unknown which specific change led to the observed decrease in memory usage. The company worked on the memory manager, data compression, WinUI, and WebView2 throughout 2026, so the effect may be the result of several optimizations combined.
The Windows 11 interface has become more responsive
Along with 26H2, users also receive performance optimizations accumulated over recent months, including the Low Latency Profile. This technology briefly increases the processor frequency during latency-sensitive actions, such as opening the Start menu, search, the notification center, and applications.
After the operation is completed, the processor quickly returns to its normal operating mode. This approach should reduce interface latency without the CPU constantly running at an increased frequency.
The Low Latency Profile is not an exclusive feature of Windows 11 26H2. Microsoft began rolling it out for interface elements back in the summer of 2026 and later extended the mechanism to application launches. In some tests, system elements opened up to 70% faster, and applications up to 40% faster, though the results depend on the processor and PC configuration.
Windows 11 26H2 is being distributed as a small enablement package and is already available for compatible computers. Since the version has only just begun its mass rollout, more comparative tests will be needed to understand how consistently the reduction in RAM usage manifests across different systems.
