Improving the Performance of Windows 11 With 8 GB RAM
This is especially frustrating when you have an 8GB Windows 11 PC and the time it takes to reopen tabs, run apps, or switch between applications doesn't feel fast enough. Low RAM isn't the only possible cause.
This Computer Help article provides tips for improving the speed of your 8 GB Windows 11 computer. Discover what you should do.
Is 8GB RAM Enough for Windows 11?
Microsoft recommends a minimum RAM of 4 GB for Windows 11, but anything above that is required for the software. If your RAM fulfills the minimum requirements, then multitasking is possible.
A total of 8 GB of RAM is suggested for browsing the internet, sending emails, and editing documents. For video conferencing software and spreadsheets, as well as browsing multiple tabs at once, you will require more RAM.
The computer’s speed depends upon the processor and RAM, so if your computer is slow due to 8 GB RAM, figure out your requirements first.
How to Optimize Windows 11 for an 8 GB Device
1. Identify What Is Slowing Your PC
Open Task Manager by pressing "Ctrl + Shift + Esc" during slow performance periods. Open the Processes tab, sort by Memory, and watch CPU and Disk. Task Manager can help you identify which applications are using your PC’s resources.
Consider the following factors related to these parameters:
Memory is always consumed during normal PC use: close extra programs and compare their impact on performance.
CPU consumption is always high: identify which program is doing the calculations.
If disk usage is consistently high, identify possible updates, transfer issues, etc.
Save your progress before closing applications. Never kill an unknown Windows process. Repeat this procedure after each change to see whether it had an impact.
2. Reduce Startup and Background Apps
Go to the Startup tab in Task Manager and turn off programs you don’t want to open automatically when you log in. Game launchers and rarely used messaging apps are ideal choices here. You won't delete them, but they won't run automatically after this.
Don't deactivate any security programs or anything you want to keep.
Notice whether your desktop loads faster or fewer applications open at startup.
Where the program allows it, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps > three-dot menu > Advanced options, and look for Background app permissions; set it to "Never" for programs that don’t need this permission. These apps won't send notifications or run updates in the background. Desktop applications that lack this option need changes in their settings.
3. Reduce Browser Memory Use
However, if the browser uses up all your computer's RAM, it's best to restart the computer. Also, close unused tabs and turn off extensions. Avoid using multiple browsers at the same time.
Setting a limit based on tabs doesn't really make sense, since it doesn't matter whether video conferencing software or design software uses your computer instead of tabs filled with text.
Go to your Google Chrome settings and turn on Memory Saver under Performance.
4. Free Up Disk Space in Windows
Low storage can affect your computer's performance and cause update problems. Go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files, choose categories, and remove unnecessary files.
Be careful when deleting files from Downloads and the Recycle Bin. If you delete files from a previous Windows installation, you won't be able to switch to this version of Windows.
Storage Sense needs to be activated in Settings. Saving files should be done. It will free up space but not add RAM.
5. Let Windows Manage Virtual Memory
Windows paging files are stored on your hard drive for memory management. Normally, the operating system automatically sets the size of these files. If your computer has 8 GB of RAM, the best choice is to leave everything at the default settings.
Rather than turning off the paging file after following some tweaking guidelines, the best option is to adjust the paging file settings in Windows Virtual Memory. Microsoft does not recommend using a fixed-size formula because paging file needs can vary.
A large paging file does not make your storage as fast as RAM.
6. Adjust Visual Effects and Power Settings
To adjust Windows performance and appearance. Choose Adjust for Best Performance under Visual Effects and then undo the effect that you would like to retain. The user interface will be simpler. Also, once the PC is plugged into an electrical outlet, the Settings > System > Power & Battery > Power Mode > Best Performance option becomes available. The PC will have high power consumption and overheating. But this cannot solve the low-memory problem.
7. Install Updates and Check for Malware
Click on Settings -> Windows Update -> Check for updates. Apply updates, then restart your computer as instructed. This could resolve the issue slowing your computer down.
If the problem is still unclear, click Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Quick scan. Follow the instructions there. Real-time protection should be enabled because without it, downloaded files will not be protected.
When Should You Upgrade RAM or Storage?
You can't optimize performance in Windows 11 if your computer can't handle the load.
Maybe it's better to buy 16 GB of RAM in case of memory overflow while working in spite of switching off all unneeded applications. It would be better for you to verify the fact that it can be upgraded on your computer since some of the computers do not support such upgrades.
It is recommended to have Windows installed on an SSD rather than on an HDD, which, according to Microsoft, is claimed to be faster.
Make Changes Based on Your Everyday Work
For quickening the speed of your Windows 11 PC, begin by identifying what causes the system to slow down. Experiment with one change at a time and check whether your work is faster. In the event of any slowness, analyze the outcome to determine whether you need additional RAM and storage speed.