Microsoft has confirmed that its latest Windows 11 patch boosts multitasking performance by up to 40% and improves overall system responsiveness by 20%, even on computers equipped with just 8GB of RAM, following a major overhaul of its memory management system aimed at resolving long-standing user complaints over sluggish multi-app performance.
Multitasking allows users to open, manage and switch between multiple applications simultaneously across one or more screens. Microsoft said it revamped Windows 11’s RAM allocation by refining memory compression and optimising how data is paged to solid-state drives (SSDs). The adjustments enable the operating system to retain up to 2GB more active data directly in RAM, significantly reducing lag when switching windows or returning to background programmes.
The update also introduces a revised task-prioritisation engine that gives precedence to direct user inputs such as launching the Start Menu, File Explorer or Settings while temporarily throttling background processes to deliver snappier real-time responsiveness.
In addition, Microsoft said its Edge browser now launches up to 33% faster and puts inactive tabs to sleep after 15 minutes instead of two hours. Core Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook have also been optimised to consume roughly 360MB less memory combined.
In internal benchmarks conducted on an HP OmniBook 3 laptop with 8GB of RAM running 20 Edge tabs alongside 4K video playback and multiple Office programmes the updated Windows 11 completed test workflows up to 40% faster than the early 2026 release, while cutting committed memory growth by roughly 900MB.
However, the figures reflect Microsoft’s internal testing against the January 2026 build rather than a guaranteed 40% speed jump from a single patch across all hardware. Even so, the upgrade underscores Microsoft’s push to extract greater efficiency from entry-level specifications without forcing users into immediate hardware upgrades.
Users can receive the latest improvements through Windows Update, depending on their supported Windows 11 version. Those still using computers with just 8GB of RAM are likely to benefit considerably from the changes, although upgrading to 16GB or more remains a more suitable option for users who regularly run demanding applications and workloads.