The Windows 11 26H2 update, released last week, introduces optimizations that reduce RAM usage and improve system performance. While Microsoft did not officially announce these changes, user reports and independent testing confirm a decrease in memory consumption during idle states.
Tests conducted by Windows Latest on a laptop with 16 GB of RAM showed that idle memory usage dropped from 10 GB to 7 GB. Users on Reddit reported similar findings, noting a reduction in RAM consumption of approximately 2-3 GB following the installation of the update.
The update expands the Low Latency Profile feature to include third-party applications. Previously limited to Microsoft software, this function temporarily boosts CPU clock speeds for 1–3 seconds during app startup to improve responsiveness.
Internal data indicates that the Low Latency Profile previously accelerated the launch of Microsoft Edge and Outlook by approximately 40%. Furthermore, the responsiveness of the Start menu and various context menus across the operating system has improved by up to 70%.
