Microsoft has announced a series of performance optimizations for Windows 11, including a 20% increase in system responsiveness. The update focuses on memory management, allowing an additional 2GB of active data to remain in RAM instead of being offloaded to the hard drive.
The company specifically targeted devices with 8GB of RAM or less. By changing how Widgets load, the system frees up over 200MB of memory. These improvements apply to core components like the Start menu, File Explorer, and the Edge browser.
New features include customizable taskbar positions and an updated search interface that allows users to toggle settings directly from results. The search update is currently available to Windows Insider users, with a broader rollout planned by 2026.
For gaming, Microsoft is expanding its Advanced Shader Delivery technology to reduce initial load times in titles like Forza Horizon 6. Additionally, the company will offer a digital bundle of 25 games worth over $500 to eligible US customers starting in November 2026.
