Microsoft once tried to cut Windows 11 RAM usage, install size by 20%, now it’s trying again in 2026

Microsoft had a project in the past to reduce Windows 11 RAM usage by 20%, but it was never completed. Now, in 2026, Microsoft is revisiting this goal to improve performance, responsiveness, and memory efficiency. The high RAM usage in Windows 11 is attributed to background services, web-based apps, and a fragmented UI stack. Microsoft is now focusing on reducing memory footprint, improving responsiveness under load, and moving components toward native frameworks like WinUI3. With increased public scrutiny and market pressure, Microsoft aims to address performance issues in Windows 11 more effectively than in the past.