These Windows "optimizations" are actually hurting your PC performance:

xda-developers.com/microsoft-quietly-made-low-ram-systems-better-for-windows-11-but-theres-a-catch/

Credibility C

Oct 18

Windows 11 26H2 gave my laptop nearly 2GB of RAM back, but there’s a catch for low-RAM PCs

Key FactsWindows 11 26H2 Reportedly Lowers RAM Use Mainly on Larger Systems

Oct 18, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com

A Reddit user with 48GB reported startup usage falling from 6.9GB to approximately 4.8GB.

Windows Latest observed idle usage on a 16GB laptop falling from above 10GB to 7GB.

Reported reductions involve almost exclusively systems with at least 16GB, while 8GB devices so far mostly show no benefit.

A Lenovo Legion 5 Pro test recorded usage falling from 8.5GB to 6.7GB under 26H2.

"clear efforts around driving better utilization of memory"— Pavan Davuluri, on a May episode of Microsoft's Inside Windows podcast

theverge.com/news/1011891/microsoft-windows-11-speed-memory-improvements

The Verge

Oct 15

Microsoft says Windows 11 is now ‘more responsive’ and runs better on 8GB of RAM: A lot of the speed improvements are thanks to smarter ways to manage memory and ...

neowin.net/news/microsofts-special-windows-11-26h2-tweak-makes-pcs-faster-especially-on-hard-disks/

neowin.net

Oct 15

Microsoft's special Windows 11 26H2 tweak makes PCs faster especially on hard disks

xda-developers.com/disabling-page-file-windows-performance-tweak-never-do-it-again/

Oct 14

Disabling the page file is the Windows performance tweak everyone repeats, and I'd never do it again

Key FactsAuthor Reports Instability After Disabling Windows Page File

Oct 14, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: xda-developers.com

After several uneventful hours, the author's browser tabs crashed, and some applications would no longer launch.

The article acknowledges theoretical storage-space and SSD benefits but reports no performance improvement from disabling the file.

The page file also supports applications and crash dumps; without it, memory errors can occur despite sufficient RAM.

The article recommends Windows management; for manual adjustment, it cites 4–8GB for systems with 16–32GB of RAM.

I agree, disabling the page file has theoretical advantages, and it's not limited to freeing up storage space. More importantly, the page file also affects your storage drive's lifespan.
— Kazim, the author of the article, recounting his experience and cautioning readers about the downsides of disabling the page file

neowin.net/news/windows-11-26h2-reportedly-uses-shockingly-low-ram-with-a-rufus-installation-trick/

neowin.net

Oct 10

Windows 11 26H2 reportedly uses shockingly low RAM with a Rufus installation trick

techtimes.com/articles/328584/20261005/windows-11-26h2-delivers-40-faster-apps-16-gb-systems-8-gb-machines-left-behind.htm

Tech Times Oct 06

Windows 11 26H2 Delivers 40% Faster Apps for 16 GB Systems; 8 GB Machines Left Behind

engadget.com/2273348/why-windows-11-using-so-much-ram/

Engadget

B+

Oct 03

Why Windows 11 Is Always Using So Much RAM: Windows 11 makes full use of your RAM to keep your system running smoothly, so don't be alarmed when you see high ...

3 3

xda-developers.com/your-pc-is-getting-slower-not-hardware-fault/

Aug 05

Your PC is quietly getting slower, and it's not the hardware's fault: Software bloat, long uptimes, and a lack of free space are to blame

winfuture.de/news,159944.html

WinFuture.de Jul 13

Windows 11: Copilot reveals what's slowing down your PC, but needs 1 GB of RAM

windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-11-8gb-ram-tested-2026

WindowsCentral Jun 11

"Not only viable but quite enjoyable": I used Windows 11 with 8GB of RAM to see if it's as bad as everyone says

zdnet.com/article/is-virtual-ram-good-alternative-rising-ram-prices/

ZDNET

A−

Apr 04

Is increasing VRAM finally worth it? I ran the numbers on my Windows 11 PC: Virtual RAM can help boost PC performance when resources are scarce ...

theverge.com/report/894090/macbook-neo-pc-windows-laptop-competition-asus-footinmouth

The Verge

Mar 13

PC makers are not ready for the MacBook Neo: Apple’s affordable MacBook is out, and Windows laptop makers are ill-prepared for it. Even worse ...

zdnet.com/article/how-much-ram-pc-mac-2026/

21 299

ZDNET

A−

Jan 14

How much RAM does your PC really need in 2026? A Windows and Mac expert's verdict

xda-developers.com/most-performance-software-makes-your-pc-worse-not-faster/

Jan 13

Most "performance" software makes your PC worse, not faster: Keeping your PC performing like new isn't about using optimizer apps, it's about treating your ...

xda-developers.com/little-known-windows-feature-hurting-your-pcs-performance-heres-how-can-disable-it/

Aug 17 25

This little-known Windows feature could be hurting your PC's performance, but here's how you can disable it

xda-developers.com/ways-reduce-memory-usage-windows-11-without-buying-more-ram/

Jul 24 25

7 ways I reduce memory usage on Windows 11 without buying more RAM: If your Windows computer is using too much memory, there are a few steps you can take to ...