Windows 11 26H2 Uses 1.2GB Less RAM Than 25H2, New Tests Show
Running multiple applications on a computer with limited memory can quickly become frustrating. Even everyday activities, such as browsing the web, editing documents, and listening to music, can put pressure on system resources. For users with 8GB of RAM, this can sometimes lead to slower performance and increased disk activity.
Microsoft has been working to improve Windows 11‘s performance on lower-memory devices, and recent testing suggests that its latest optimizations could make a noticeable difference. Windows 11 26H2 has reportedly used up to 1.2GB less RAM than version 25H2, offering more available memory without requiring any hardware upgrades.
The findings, reported by Windows Central, highlight improvements across several everyday computing scenarios, including system startup, multitasking, and demanding workloads.
Windows 11 26H2 Uses Less Memory After Startup
The comparison was conducted on an Acer Swift Air 14 laptop featuring 8GB of LPDDR5x memory. The tests examined Windows 11 25H2 alongside Windows 11 26H2 build 26300.9711.
Following a fresh system boot, Windows 11 25H2 consumed approximately 5.3GB of RAM, leaving around 2.3GB available. The newer 26H2 version performed considerably better, using just 4.1GB and keeping 3.5GB available.
This represents a 1.2GB reduction in memory consumption, giving users additional room to run applications and background processes.
Better Multitasking With Everyday Applications
The improvements were also visible during a typical multitasking session.
For this test, multiple Microsoft Edge tabs were opened alongside a Word document, Slack, and Spotify. Windows 11 25H2 consumed approximately 7GB of memory, leaving only 563MB available.
In comparison, Windows 11 26H2 used around 6.6GB while maintaining approximately 1GB of available RAM.
Although the difference was smaller than during startup, the newer version still demonstrated better memory management under everyday workloads.
Heavy Workloads Reveal an Even Bigger Difference
The most demanding test involved 20 Edge tabs running alongside Word, Excel, Spotify, Slack, Microsoft Store, Photos, File Explorer, and GIMP.
Under these conditions, Windows 11 25H2 consumed 7.3GB of physical memory, leaving just 352MB available. Windows 11 26H2 used approximately 6.8GB, with 764MB remaining.
An even more noticeable difference appeared in committed memory. The older version reached 15.2GB, while 26H2 recorded just 10.4GB.
That is a reduction of 4.8GB, suggesting that the newer release handles memory demands more efficiently and places less pressure on virtual memory.
The tests also observed fewer severe disk activity spikes with Windows 11 26H2. While the newer version did not eliminate paging-related activity entirely, its performance appeared more consistent under pressure.
What These Improvements Mean for Windows 11 Users
For people using entry-level laptops, older computers, or systems with 8GB of RAM, these findings offer an encouraging sign. More efficient memory management could help keep applications responsive while reducing unnecessary reliance on storage-based virtual memory.
However, there are some limitations worth considering. The comparison involved a single laptop and specific Windows builds, meaning results could vary depending on hardware, drivers, background services, and installed applications. Additionally, the tests measured memory consumption and disk activity rather than directly comparing application loading times or overall system speed.
Despite these limitations, Windows 11 26H2 appears to be moving in a positive direction. Its lower memory usage could make everyday computing more comfortable, particularly for people who are not ready to upgrade their hardware. While further testing across different devices will be important, these early results provide a promising reason for Windows users to look forward to Microsoft’s ongoing performance improvements.