Microsoft removes 32GB of RAM recommendation for Windows 11

The RAMpocalypse, or memory crisis, is very real, and with seemingly no end in sight, if you've been following the notebook and laptop market this year, you'll notice that a lot more devices are being sold with 16GB and even 8GB of memory. For the foreseeable future, it's looking increasingly likely that PC hardware with less memory will be the new norm, and this is a reality that Microsoft is keenly aware of.

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As spotted by Windows Latest, the company behind Windows 11 is quietly removing references to 32GB of RAM as a recommendation for the best Windows experience. These references to 32GB of RAM being recommended were found in a few different Windows Learning Center articles, including one all about optimizing your PC for gaming.

That article has now been removed, which previously contained the line "32GB is ideal for serious players who run the most demanding titles or use heavy mods." Now, this doesn't change the fact that having 32GB of RAM on a Windows 11 PC built primarily for PC gaming is, in fact, "ideal." But it does point to Microsoft's very serious and very recent push to optimize the operating system for devices with 8GB and 16GB of memory.

When it comes to Windows notebooks and laptops, the whole Copilot+ PC push over the last couple of years has always listed or recommended 16GB of RAM as the baseline for the branding. However, like many other companies, Microsoft is directly affected by the memory crisis, and it is now offering Surface Pro and Surface Laptop models with 8GB of memory. Which, funnily enough, are devices that don't meet the spec to be branded as Copilot+ PCs.

Devices like these represent a PC hardware shift that is now forcing Microsoft to rebuild core parts of Windows 11. One of the big reasons Windows 11 uses more memory than previous versions is the shift to web-based wrappers for its interface, which generally use up a lot more RAM. Basically, many Windows apps are like tabs in Chrome.

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Question #1

Which Windows Learning Center articles previously recommended 32GB of RAM and have been edited or removed?

Several Windows Learning Center articles referenced 32GB of RAM, including an article about optimizing your PC for gaming that has now been removed. The primary article says these references appeared in a few different Windows Learning Center articles but does not name the others.

Answered

Question #2

Why is Microsoft removing 32GB RAM recommendations from Windows 11 guidance?

Microsoft is removing 32GB RAM recommendations because the PC market is shifting toward devices with 8GB and 16GB of memory amid a memory crisis, and the company is refocusing Windows 11 optimization on lower-memory systems. Microsoft is rebuilding parts of Windows 11 and reducing the memory footprint of key features and apps to improve performance on 8GB devices, with optimizations planned by the end of the year.

Answered

Question #3

How will the planned Windows 11 memory optimizations affect systems with 8GB of RAM?

Microsoft is working to improve Windows 11 performance by significantly reducing the memory footprint of key features and apps specifically for 8GB devices. These optimizations are planned to roll out by the end of the year, and all users, including those on 16GB and 32GB systems, will also benefit from the updates.

Answered

Question #4

Will users with 16GB or 32GB of RAM also see benefits from Microsoft’s memory reductions?

Yes. The primary article says Microsoft plans memory optimizations targeted at 8GB devices but adds that all users will benefit from the updates, including those with 16GB and 32GB systems.

Answered

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The good news is that Microsoft's Windows team is focused on improving the operating system's performance and significantly reducing the memory footprint of key features and apps, specifically for 8GB devices. Microsoft has also put a timeline on the project, with plans to roll out these optimizations by the end of the year. And the good news is that all users will benefit from the updates, including those with 16GB and 32GB systems.