Microsoft says Windows 11 updates improve responsiveness on 8GB PCs

Microsoft says Windows 11 is more responsive after memory updates

Microsoft says it has made Windows 11 zippier after rolling out updates that were previously tested with Windows Insiders. The company claims the operating system is now up to 20 percent more responsive, in part through improved memory efficiency and management.

According to Navjot Virk, Microsoft's corporate vice president of Windows Experiences, Windows 11 can now keep up to 2GB more active data in memory instead of moving it to slower storage. He says that should help a PC stay responsive as more apps or browser tabs are open, and that PCs with 8GB of memory may see an especially meaningful difference.

For PCs with 8GB or less of RAM, Microsoft says widgets will load only when users open them, freeing over 200MB of memory for other tasks. The company also says Bluetooth headphone reliability improvements should make it faster to pair AirPods with a PC, while Windows Hello logins are described as easier, faster and more reliable.

Insiders can test AI Search and a revamped Photos app

Windows Insider testers can now try the revamped, AI powered Search that Microsoft unveiled last week. Microsoft says users can carry out thousands of actions directly through Search, which the company is effectively turning into a chatbot.

Other Insider updates include a new Photos app with a gallery that can combine snaps from local storage, OneDrive and iCloud. Microsoft says the built in editor loads 25 percent faster and the native viewer loads 30 percent quicker.

Sources: Engadget