# Microsoft says Windows 11 keeps up to 2GB more active data in memory

_Published Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 10:47 AM EDT · Products · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![Windows 11 logo seen on a booth at Comic Con event... — Primary](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/gettyimages-1247086031.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C6.1654211801671%2C100%2C87.669157639666&w=1200)

Microsoft says changes to Windows 11 memory management let the operating system keep up to 2GB more active data in memory instead of moving it to slower storage. The company reports an experience that is up to 20 percent more responsive after months of fixes.

On PCs with 8GB of memory or less, Widgets now load only when opened, freeing more than 200 MB for applications and other work. Improvements cover Start, File Explorer, Search and Edge. A separate new Windows Search experience is currently available to Windows Insiders, with broader rollout planned later this year.

## Sources

- [The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/news/1011891/microsoft-windows-11-speed-memory-improvements)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/wyFGymvTx50Ei59ZW3gfhB
Published: 2026-10-15T14:47:30.175Z
Story chronology: 2026-10-15T13:41:00.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-10-15T17:41:50.213Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)