Windows 11 now runs faster and uses less memory

Microsoft recently released the Windows 11 26H2 update. At first glance, it wasn't a "revolutionary" package of new features. But appearances can be deceiving. According to Windows Latest and many users on Reddit, Windows 11 uses significantly less RAM when idle after the update, and at the same time manages memory more efficiently even when applications are already running.

Although Microsoft hasn't specifically highlighted these improvements, user feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Reddit users are reporting a 2GB drop in idle RAM usage, with some even seeing it drop as high as 3GB. A hands-on test by Windows Latest on a laptop with 16GB of RAM showed that the system was using about 10GB of idle RAM before the update, but after installing 26H2, that number dropped to 7GB (with 4GB cached and 8.8GB completely free).

In addition, the update extends the functionality of the “Low Latency Profile” feature to almost all applications. This technology briefly (between 1 and 3 seconds) raises the processor frequency to maximum, which allows programs to launch much faster on less powerful hardware. Microsoft’s own applications, such as Edge and Outlook, now launch up to 40 percent faster, and system elements such as the Start menu and right-click respond up to 70 percent faster. Initial caution regarding operation on very different configurations is in order, as system memory consumption strongly depends on the processes running simultaneously.

It's worth noting that memory usage in Windows doesn't necessarily mean it's wasted. The operating system pre-stores some services in system memory for immediate response when you click. While Windows is far from perfect and still contains a lot of system telemetry, Microsoft has clearly found a better balance between smooth operation and available system resources with these tweaks.