Tag: PC optimisation

VLC performance Windows 11 affected by Microsoft Defender plugin bug
August 16, 2026

Why VLC Performance on Windows 11 Is Slow — and What to Do Now

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VLC performance on Windows 11 has taken a serious hit — and for once, it genuinely isn’t VLC’s fault. A bug tied to Microsoft Defender is causing startup delays of up to 33 seconds on millions of PCs, and Microsoft has yet to ship a permanent patch. If your video playback feels sluggish, stuttery, or VLC takes an age to open an MP3, you’re not alone, and there are things you can do right now.

What Is Actually Causing the VLC Playback Issue on Windows 11?

Microsoft Defender scanning VLC plugin cache causing Windows 11 playback delays

The core problem is Microsoft Defender scanning VLC’s plugin cache file on every launch. When Defender flags or quarantines part of that cache — even as a false positive — VLC is forced to rebuild it from scratch before it can play anything. That rebuild process is the source of the infamous 33-second delay that users have been reporting since mid-2026.

VideoLAN, the non-profit behind VLC, confirmed the issue publicly via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, explicitly naming a recent Microsoft Defender update as the trigger. The Windows Latest report from August 14, 2026 adds crucial nuance: VLC’s own bug tracker reveals the situation is messier than a single Defender update, with multiple overlapping reports pointing to plugin cache corruption, Defender quarantine events, and slower I/O performance under Windows 11’s memory management in certain hardware configurations.

The 33-Second Delay: Why Does VLC Stutter So Badly?

When the plugin cache is missing or corrupted — whether because Defender nuked it or for another reason — VLC 3.0.23 and later versions can take anywhere from 5 to 33 seconds just to open an MP3 file. On HDDs the wait is worst; SSD users see shorter delays, but still noticeable pauses compared to what VLC used to deliver. The delay occurs at startup, not during playback itself, which is why it catches users off-guard: the app appears to have frozen before the UI even loads.

This is a VLC slow Windows 11 issue that disproportionately affects users who updated Windows Defender definitions in July or August 2026. On systems where Defender scanned and quarantined the plugins.dat cache file, VLC effectively has to reindex every installed codec module before it can function — a process the player was never designed to run every single session.

Why Hasn’t Microsoft Fixed This VLC Windows 11 Problem?

Windows 11 Defender exclusions settings to improve VLC performance fix

Microsoft’s position — or rather its conspicuous silence — is frustrating. Defender definition updates are pushed continuously and silently; there is no formal patch cycle for false positives the way there is for kernel vulnerabilities. The Defender team can quietly adjust a definition to stop flagging VLC’s cache, but users have no visibility into when or whether that happens.

VideoLAN’s developers have pointed out that this dynamic unfairly burdens open-source projects. A commercial vendor can open a direct support channel with Microsoft; a volunteer-driven open-source team has to rely on public bug reports and social-media callouts to get traction. It is a systemic problem that goes well beyond any single VLC playback issue.

Is This a VLC Bug or a Windows 11 Bug?

Honestly, both organisations carry some responsibility — but the weight falls on Microsoft’s side. VLC’s plugin cache architecture is long-standing and functional on every other platform. The behaviour that breaks it — Defender silently modifying or quarantining files inside an installed application’s directory — is a Windows 11 behaviour Microsoft controls entirely. VLC cannot defend against a security tool that has elevated kernel-level access to its own files.

That said, VideoLAN’s bug tracker shows VLC playback issues that predate the Defender incident, including performance regressions tied to Windows 11’s hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling (HAGS) on certain Nvidia and AMD GPU configurations. The Defender story is the most dramatic, but VLC slow Windows 11 complaints are rooted in more than one cause.

How to Fix VLC Performance on Windows 11 Right Now

Five-step VLC Windows 11 fix checklist for slow video playback issues

You don’t have to wait for Microsoft or VideoLAN to release a patch. The following steps resolve the majority of reported VLC playback issues on Windows 11 immediately.

1. Reinstall VLC or Regenerate the Plugin Cache

The fastest VLC Windows 11 fix is to force a clean plugin cache regeneration. You can do this in two ways:

  • Full reinstall: Uninstall VLC via Settings → Apps → Installed Apps, delete any leftover files in %APPDATA%\vlc, then download and reinstall the latest version from VideoLAN’s official site.

  • Manual cache reset: Navigate to C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\, delete plugins\plugins.dat, then launch VLC — it will rebuild the cache fresh on startup.

2. Add VLC to Microsoft Defender’s Exclusion List

This stops Defender from scanning and potentially corrupting VLC’s plugin cache in future:

  1. Open Windows Security → Virus & Threat Protection → Manage Settings.

  2. Scroll to Exclusions and click Add or remove exclusions.

  3. Add the full VLC installation folder: C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\.

  4. Restart VLC and test playback.

Note: Only exclude the VLC folder — do not add blanket exclusions to your entire Program Files directory.

3. Disable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling (if stuttering persists)

If you’re seeing VLC playback issues during video (not just on startup), HAGS may be the culprit:

  • Go to Settings → System → Display → Graphics → Change default graphics settings.

  • Toggle Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling off.

  • Restart your PC and retest VLC performance on Windows 11.

4. Switch VLC’s Video Output to DirectDraw or OpenGL

Inside VLC, go to Tools → Preferences → Video and change the Output dropdown from Auto to DirectDraw (older hardware) or OpenGL (modern GPUs). This sidesteps certain Windows 11 compositor conflicts that throttle VLC playback on multi-monitor setups.

5. Increase VLC’s File Cache Value

In Tools → Preferences → Show All → Input / Codecs, find File caching (ms) and raise it from the default 300 ms to 1500 ms. This gives VLC more buffer headroom and reduces mid-playback stalls on systems where Defender or Windows 11’s I/O scheduler causes latency spikes.

Should You Upgrade or Reinstall Windows 11?

A clean Windows 11 install can help if you’re seeing system-wide performance degradation beyond VLC, but it is overkill for this specific VLC playback issue. The Defender exclusion and cache regeneration steps above resolve the 33-second startup delay without touching your OS installation. If you’re running a heavily updated Windows 11 build and performance is suffering across the board, that’s a broader conversation — but don’t wipe your drive just because VLC is slow.

What does make sense is ensuring your Windows 11 licence is legitimate and fully activated, since OEM or unactivated copies can exhibit unusual background service behaviour that compounds performance problems. At Buy Now Key, you can grab a genuine Windows 11 Pro licence from €17.90 or a Windows 11 Home OEM key from just €9.65 — both with lifetime activation. If you’re also struggling with broader Windows slowdowns beyond VLC, our guide to Windows performance tuning with built-in tools is a great next step.

What VLC Users Should Watch for Next

VideoLAN has stated it is working with community contributors to make VLC’s plugin cache more resilient against external interference — essentially, making the cache harder for third-party security tools to accidentally corrupt. Microsoft has not formally acknowledged a specific Defender definition error, though anecdotal reports suggest the most aggressive flagging behaviour has eased slightly in the most recent Defender updates pushed in August 2026.

In the meantime, the VLC Windows 11 fix steps above give you real, working relief. The wider lesson is that Windows 11’s tighter integration between Defender and the kernel — well-intentioned from a security standpoint — creates new categories of collateral damage for legitimate applications. Until Microsoft provides a more transparent mechanism for app developers to flag false positives, incidents like this will keep happening.

FAQ

Why is VLC so slow to open on Windows 11?

The most common cause in mid-2026 is a Microsoft Defender update that scans or quarantines VLC’s plugin cache file, forcing VLC to rebuild it on every launch. This can add 5 to 33 seconds to startup time. Regenerating the cache manually or adding VLC’s folder to Defender’s exclusion list fixes the problem immediately.

Is the VLC playback issue a VLC bug or a Windows 11 bug?

Microsoft Defender’s behaviour is the primary trigger — it is modifying files inside a legitimately installed application without user consent. VideoLAN confirmed this publicly. However, VLC’s bug tracker also shows separate, pre-existing playback regressions linked to Windows 11’s GPU scheduling on certain hardware, so it’s not entirely one-sided.

Will Microsoft release a patch for the VLC slow Windows 11 problem?

Microsoft has not officially acknowledged a specific bug tied to this incident. Defender definition updates are rolled out continuously, and the relevant false-positive behaviour may already be corrected silently in newer definitions. There is no scheduled Windows Update patch for this specific VLC playback issue.

Does disabling Microsoft Defender fix VLC performance on Windows 11?

You should not disable Defender entirely — that leaves your PC unprotected. Instead, add only VLC’s installation folder as a Defender exclusion. This stops the cache-scanning behaviour while keeping full system protection active everywhere else.

Which version of VLC works best on Windows 11?

VLC 3.0.23 and the latest 3.0.x release are the recommended stable versions for Windows 11 as of August 2026. Nightly builds of VLC 4.0 are available for testing but are not recommended for daily use. Always download directly from VideoLAN’s official website to avoid unofficial, modified versions.

Windows command prompt showing essential CMD commands on a dark terminal screen
August 15, 2026

40 Essential Windows Command Prompt Commands You Need to Know

Post By administrator Microsoft, Windows , , , , , No Comments

The most powerful troubleshooting tool on your PC has been hiding in plain sight since Windows 95. CMD commands — typed directly into the Windows Command Prompt — let you diagnose network faults, repair corrupted system files, kill runaway processes, and manage routing tables without ever opening a settings menu. Whether you’re on Windows 10 or Windows 11, every command below works the same way and takes under a minute to run.

Open CMD by pressing Windows + R, typing cmd, and hitting Enter. For commands that require administrator privileges (chkdsk, sfc, DISM, netsh firewall), right-click the Start menu and choose Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).

Networking CMD Commands

CMD commands for networking showing ipconfig all output on Windows

Network faults are the number-one reason people reach for the Command Prompt. These command prompt commands give you instant visibility into your IP configuration, DNS cache, and wireless environment.

ipconfig — Your Starting Point for Any Network Problem

Type ipconfig and you instantly see your IPv4 address, subnet mask, and default gateway for every active adapter. Add the /all flag — ipconfig /all — to surface MAC addresses, DHCP server details, DNS server IPs, and lease information. Pipe the output into findstr to filter just the line you need:

ipconfig /all | findstr "IPv4"

ipconfig /release, /renew, and /flushdns

Three commands that fix the majority of everyday connectivity headaches:

  • ipconfig /release — drops your current DHCP-assigned IP address.

  • ipconfig /renew — requests a fresh IP from the DHCP server. Run these back-to-back when a device gets stuck on the wrong address.

  • ipconfig /displaydns — lists every domain your PC has recently resolved, piped through | clip to copy the output directly to your clipboard.

  • ipconfig /flushdns — wipes the local DNS resolver cache. Indispensable after a domain migration or when a site refuses to load despite working on other devices.

nslookup — Query DNS Records Directly

nslookup google.com sends a DNS query and returns the resolved IP address and the responding server. Switch servers on the fly: nslookup google.com 8.8.8.8 queries Google’s public DNS instead of your ISP’s, letting you confirm whether a DNS problem is local or upstream.

ping and ping -t

ping 8.8.8.8 sends four ICMP packets and reports round-trip time and packet loss — the quickest proof of whether your internet path is alive. Add -t for a continuous stream that keeps measuring until you press Ctrl+C, ideal for watching a flaky connection in real time.

tracert and tracert -d

tracert google.com traces the hop-by-hop path between your PC and a destination, showing latency at every router along the way. High latency at hop 3 but fine at hop 10? Your ISP’s backbone is fine; the issue is closer to home. Add -d to skip reverse DNS lookups and get results roughly twice as fast.

netstat — See Every Active Connection

These Windows CMD variants reveal what’s talking to your machine:

  • netstat -af — all active TCP/UDP connections plus the fully qualified domain name of each remote endpoint.

  • netstat -o — appends the Process ID (PID) of the owning application so you can cross-reference with Task Manager.

  • netstat -e -t 5 — refreshes Ethernet statistics every 5 seconds, showing cumulative bytes sent and received in near-real time.

netsh — Advanced Network Shell Commands

The netsh tool is one of the most versatile Windows terminal commands available. Key variants:

  • netsh wlan show wlanreport — generates an HTML report of your Wi-Fi connection history, saved to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WlanReport\.

  • netsh interface show interface — lists every network adapter and its current state (enabled/disabled).

  • netsh interface ip show address | findstr "IP Address" — filters down to just your active IPs.

  • netsh interface ip show dnsservers — confirms which DNS servers each adapter is using.

  • netsh advfirewall set allprofiles state off / on — disables or re-enables Windows Firewall across all profiles. Use only for short-term testing; always turn it back on.

route — View and Manage the Routing Table

route print displays your full IP routing table, useful on machines with multiple network interfaces (e.g., VPN + LAN). route add and route delete let you manually inject or remove static routes — essential for IT administrators managing split-tunnel VPNs.

System Diagnostics and Repair CMD Commands

Windows CMD system repair commands sfc and DISM running in terminal

When Windows starts acting slow or throwing errors, these CMD commands are your first line of defence — no reinstall required.

chkdsk /f and chkdsk /r

chkdsk C: /f scans your drive for file system errors and fixes them automatically. chkdsk C: /r goes further, locating bad sectors and recovering readable data. Both require a restart to run on the active system drive — Windows schedules them for the next boot. Run as administrator.

sfc /scannow — System File Checker

sfc /scannow scans every protected Windows system file and replaces any that are corrupted or missing with a cached clean copy. The scan typically completes in 5–15 minutes and produces a log at %windir%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. Run this before reaching for a full Windows reinstall.

DISM — Repair the Component Store

If sfc /scannow reports it cannot fix errors, DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) repairs the underlying Windows image store that sfc draws from. Run these three in order:

  1. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth — reads a flag in the image to check for known corruption (instantaneous).

  2. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth — actively scans the component store (takes a few minutes).

  3. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth — downloads and replaces corrupted components from Windows Update (requires internet; can take 20–30 minutes).

After RestoreHealth completes, run sfc /scannow again — it will now succeed.

powercfg /energy and powercfg /batteryreport

powercfg /energy runs a 60-second power efficiency trace and exports an HTML report flagging battery and power-plan issues. powercfg /batteryreport generates a detailed battery history, showing design capacity versus current full-charge capacity — the single best way to confirm whether a laptop battery is degrading. Both commands save their reports to the current working directory.

Command Prompt Commands for Processes and File Associations

Command prompt commands tasklist and taskkill managing Windows processes

These lesser-known command prompt commands are enormously practical once you know they exist.

tasklist and taskkill

tasklist prints every running process with its PID, memory usage, and session name — the CLI equivalent of Task Manager’s Details tab. Filter it: tasklist | findstr "chrome" shows only Chrome-related processes. To terminate a frozen process: taskkill /PID 1234 /F forces an immediate kill using the PID from tasklist. No need to open Task Manager at all.

assoc — File Extension Associations

assoc lists every file extension registered on your system and the program type associated with it. assoc .mp4 shows what opens MP4 files; assoc .txt=txtfile reassigns .txt to the default text handler. This is the fastest way to fix broken “open with” associations without digging through Settings.

getmac /v

getmac /v displays the MAC (hardware) address of every network adapter along with its friendly name and connection status. Faster than hunting through Device Manager, and useful when a network switch or DHCP reservation needs the physical address.

cls — Clear the Screen

Type cls and press Enter to wipe the Command Prompt window. Simple, but invaluable when you’ve been running diagnostics for an hour and the terminal is a wall of text.

Administration and Utility Windows CMD Commands

shutdown /r /fw /f /t 0

This single command reboots your PC directly into the UEFI/BIOS firmware interface — no more hammering F2 or Del at boot. Breaking it down: /r restarts, /fw boots into firmware, /f forces running applications to close, /t 0 sets a zero-second delay. Essential for changing boot order or enabling TPM settings required for a Windows 11 upgrade.

clip — Pipe Any Output to the Clipboard

Append | clip to any command and its output lands in your clipboard, ready to paste into Notepad, a support ticket, or an email. Example: ipconfig /all | clip copies your full network configuration without any mouse selection.

Quick-Reference: All 40 CMD Commands by Category

Here is a consolidated list of the Windows CMD commands covered in this guide, organised by function:

  • Network info: ipconfig, ipconfig /all, ipconfig /release, ipconfig /renew, ipconfig /displaydns, ipconfig /flushdns, nslookup, getmac /v

  • Connectivity testing: ping, ping -t, tracert, tracert -d

  • Connection monitoring: netstat, netstat -af, netstat -o, netstat -e -t 5

  • Network management: netsh wlan show wlanreport, netsh interface show interface, netsh interface ip show address, netsh interface ip show dnsservers, netsh advfirewall state off/on, route print, route add, route delete

  • Disk and system repair: chkdsk /f, chkdsk /r, sfc /scannow, DISM /CheckHealth, DISM /ScanHealth, DISM /RestoreHealth

  • Power management: powercfg /energy, powercfg /batteryreport

  • Process management: tasklist, taskkill

  • File and output utilities: assoc, findstr, clip, cls

  • Administration: shutdown /r /fw /f /t 0

For the complete official reference covering every Windows command available, Microsoft maintains the authoritative documentation at Windows Commands — Microsoft Learn.

Getting the most from these command prompt commands starts with having a genuine, activated copy of Windows. A properly licensed OS ensures Windows Update, sfc, and DISM all function correctly — none of these repair tools work reliably on an unactivated system. If you’re not sure whether your licence is valid, check out our guide on how to verify your Windows licence is genuine, or grab a fully licensed copy of Windows 11 Pro at Buy Now Key — from just €17.90 — so every CMD repair command works exactly as intended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do these CMD commands work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Yes. Every command listed in this guide runs identically on Windows 10 and Windows 11. The Command Prompt shell (cmd.exe) has remained consistent across both versions. On Windows 11, you can also run these commands inside Windows Terminal, which offers tabs and a modern interface while executing the same underlying instructions.

Do I Need to Run These CMD Commands as Administrator?

Not all of them. Commands like ipconfig, ping, tracert, netstat, tasklist, nslookup, and cls work fine in a standard CMD window. However, chkdsk, sfc /scannow, DISM, netsh advfirewall, and shutdown /r /fw all require elevated (administrator) privileges. Right-click the Start menu and choose Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin) before running those.

What is the difference between sfc /scannow and DISM?

System File Checker (sfc) compares individual Windows system files against cached copies stored on your local drive and replaces any that are damaged. DISM operates one level deeper — it repairs the Windows component store (the source sfc pulls from). If sfc reports errors it cannot fix, it usually means the component store itself is corrupt, and DISM /RestoreHealth (which downloads clean files from Microsoft) is the correct next step.

Which Command Prompt Commands Flush the DNS Cache?

Run ipconfig /flushdns in an elevated Command Prompt. Your PC caches DNS lookups to speed up browsing, but stale entries can cause a site to load incorrectly — or not at all — after a domain has been moved to a new server. Flushing the cache forces Windows to request a fresh lookup the next time you visit that domain, resolving the problem instantly in most cases.

Can I undo a route add command in Windows CMD?

Yes. Use route delete <destination> where the destination matches what you added. Static routes added without the -p (persistent) flag are automatically removed on reboot, so a restart is also a reliable way to clear any manually added routes. Use route print first to confirm exactly what is currently in the table.

Windows 11 fixes 2026 performance improvements shown on a modern desktop
August 11, 2026

Windows 11 Fixes 2026: The 5 Improvements That Actually Matter

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Windows 11 fixes in 2026 are not vague roadmap promises — Microsoft is actively rolling them out through Insider builds and confirmed public previews. After years of criticism over sluggishness, intrusive AI widgets, and a locked-down taskbar, the company is addressing the core complaints head-on. We dug into the early builds and the official announcements to tell you exactly which of these Windows 11 improvements will change your day-to-day experience, and which are mostly cosmetic.

Why Microsoft Is Prioritising Windows 11 Performance in 2026

Windows 11 performance pillars for improved reliability and memory efficiency

The pressure on Microsoft is real. Windows 10 reaches end of life in October 2025, pushing tens of millions of users to evaluate whether Windows 11 is worth the move. User sentiment data and public forum complaints made it impossible for the company to ignore the performance gap: Windows 11 historically consumes more RAM at idle than Windows 10 and has measurably higher UI interaction latency. According to reporting by Thurrott, Microsoft is explicitly targeting memory efficiency, reduced interaction latency, and improved reliability as its three pillars for 2026 — a frank acknowledgement that the OS shipped with meaningful overhead that users shouldn’t have to tolerate.

The good news: several of these Windows 11 updates are already measurable in testing. Here is what matters most.

Fix 1 — Reduced RAM Usage Under Load

Reducing idle and under-load RAM consumption is Microsoft’s headline Windows 11 performance goal for 2026. Early Insider builds have shown meaningful reductions in the memory footprint of core system processes, with Microsoft specifically targeting background services that ballooned after the 22H2 and 23H2 updates. Independent testers at Windows Latest confirmed that Microsoft has committed to making apps “perform more consistently even under load” through improved memory scheduling.

For everyday users this means fewer situations where opening a browser tab causes a noticeable stutter because system RAM was already under pressure. For professionals running memory-hungry applications — video editors, developers, designers — this is the single most impactful of all the 2026 Windows 11 updates.

  • Reduced idle RAM usage from core system processes
  • Improved memory scheduling so heavy apps get priority
  • More consistent frame pacing in GPU-bound tasks
  • Better behaviour when multiple large applications run simultaneously

Fix 2 — A Movable, Flexible Taskbar

Windows 11 fixes 2026 including movable taskbar and low-latency UI improvements

One of Windows 11’s most-complained-about regressions was the loss of taskbar positioning options that Windows 10 users relied on. The centred Start menu came at the cost of flexibility: you could not move the taskbar to the top or sides of the screen, and resizing it was impossible. Microsoft is finally correcting this as part of the 2026 Windows 11 improvements.

Insider builds have demonstrated a taskbar that can be repositioned and resized, recovering a workflow staple that power users lost at launch. This is more than cosmetic — multi-monitor professionals who run a vertical taskbar on a portrait display have been forced to keep a Windows 10 machine or use third-party workarounds for years. The 2026 fix removes that dependency.

Fix 3 — Lower Interaction Latency Across the UI

Windows 11 performance improvements in 2026 extend well beyond memory. Microsoft has confirmed a dedicated Low Latency Profile for the OS — a system-level change that prioritises UI thread responsiveness. Early reports suggest the profile will enter public rollout around mid-2026, and Insider testing shows noticeably snappier window animations, faster context-menu responses, and reduced input lag when typing or clicking rapidly.

This matters most to anyone who has noticed that Windows 11 feels slightly “floaty” compared with Windows 10 — a perception rooted in the DWM (Desktop Window Manager) scheduling decisions Microsoft made at launch. The low-latency profile directly addresses that scheduling, making the desktop feel more immediate without sacrificing visual polish.

Fix 4 — File Explorer Stability and Speed

Windows 11 updates reducing AI interruptions and ads in the Start menu

File Explorer has been a recurring villain in Windows 11 stability complaints: tab crashes, slow folder opens when network drives are mapped, and the infamous delay when right-clicking large files. The 2026 Windows 11 updates include targeted File Explorer fixes covering all three pain points.

Microsoft has confirmed that File Explorer is receiving architectural improvements to how it handles shell extensions — the third-party add-ons (like 7-Zip or antivirus context-menu entries) that have historically caused the most Explorer crashes. By isolating these extensions in a separate process, a misbehaving shell extension can no longer bring down the entire Explorer window. For users with heavily customised environments, this alone will dramatically reduce the number of times they have to restart Explorer in a session.

  • Shell extensions isolated to prevent cascading crashes
  • Faster folder load times for network-mapped drives
  • Reduced right-click context-menu latency
  • Improved tab stability in multi-tab Explorer sessions

Fix 5 — Fewer Forced AI and Ad Interruptions

Among all the Windows 11 fixes 2026 brings, the reduction of unsolicited Copilot prompts, Start menu advertisements, and lock-screen recommendations may be the one that most visibly changes the experience for ordinary users. Microsoft has announced a deliberate rollback of the aggressiveness with which AI features and promotional content are surfaced, acknowledging that the volume of interruptions was eroding user trust.

Practically, this means fewer “Try Copilot” banners in the Start menu, fewer lock-screen content recommendations served as ads, and a Copilot integration that requires genuine user initiation rather than appearing unbidden. These are not small UX tweaks — they represent a policy shift about how Windows 11 communicates with its users.

Windows 11 Updates Timeline: What to Expect When

Not all of these improvements arrive simultaneously. Here is a rough deployment picture based on confirmed Insider and public-preview information as of mid-2026:

  1. Q1–Q2 2026: RAM efficiency improvements and File Explorer stability fixes — already in Insider Preview builds and rolling to Release Preview.
  2. Mid-2026: Low Latency Profile confirmed for public rollout; taskbar repositioning entering Release Preview.
  3. Late 2026 (25H2 / 26H1): Full public availability of taskbar flexibility and reduced AI interruption policies through the annual feature update cycle.

Microsoft’s version 26H1, scoped to support new 2026 hardware, already reflects silicon-level performance improvements. Users on existing machines will receive most of these improvements through cumulative updates rather than needing to wait for a new major version.

Should You Upgrade to Windows 11 Now or Wait?

The honest answer is that the Windows 11 improvements landing throughout 2026 make upgrading more compelling than it has been at any point since launch. If you are still on Windows 10 ahead of its end-of-support deadline, the risk calculus has shifted: staying on an unsupported OS is a security liability, and the OS you would be upgrading to is meaningfully better than the one that launched in October 2021.

If your machine meets the hardware requirements — and many users are surprised to find it does after checking the full system requirements — the path forward is straightforward. A genuine Windows 11 licence is the foundation: you get all cumulative updates including every Windows 11 performance improvement Microsoft ships, with no subscription required.

At Buy Now Key, Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is available from €17.90, giving you a lifetime retail licence that covers every future update in this wave of Windows 11 fixes. If you need the full OS and a productivity suite together, the Windows 11 Pro and Office 2024 Professional Plus bundle is available from €27.80 — a significant saving on buying both separately.

Windows 11 Performance Tips While You Wait for Updates

While the cumulative rollout of these Windows 11 updates continues, there are steps you can take right now to reduce overhead on your existing installation:

  • Disable startup apps you do not actively use (Settings → Apps → Startup).
  • Turn off background activity for non-essential apps (Settings → System → Power).
  • Review and limit widget panel content, which contributes to background memory usage.
  • Ensure your drivers — particularly GPU and chipset — are current, as driver-level optimisations accompany many of the OS-level Windows 11 performance gains.
  • Run a storage health check; SSD degradation disproportionately impacts the responsiveness improvements Microsoft is targeting at the scheduler level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Windows 11 fixes 2026 free for existing users?

Yes. All the Windows 11 improvements described here are delivered through Windows Update at no additional charge for anyone with a valid Windows 11 licence. You do not need to purchase an upgrade; simply keep Windows Update enabled and the improvements will arrive automatically as they roll out.

When will Windows 11 performance improvements reach my PC?

Several fixes — including RAM efficiency and File Explorer stability — are already in Insider Preview builds and entering the Release Preview channel. Most users on mainstream builds should see these improvements by late 2026 via cumulative updates or the 25H2 feature update. Check Settings → Windows Update to ensure you have the latest cumulative update installed.

Do the 2026 Windows 11 updates require new hardware?

No. The vast majority of the performance and stability improvements are software-level changes that apply to existing hardware. Microsoft’s 26H1 version is specifically scoped to new 2026 silicon, but the RAM, latency, File Explorer, and taskbar fixes are coming to existing devices through cumulative updates.

Is it worth upgrading from Windows 10 now given these Windows 11 improvements?

With Windows 10 reaching end of support in October 2025, upgrading is increasingly important for security. The 2026 Windows 11 updates make the upgrade even more worthwhile — the performance gap that previously made users hesitant is being closed. If your hardware qualifies, upgrading now means you benefit from all incoming improvements immediately.

Will these fixes improve gaming performance on Windows 11?

Partially. The low-latency profile and RAM efficiency improvements will benefit gaming indirectly by reducing OS overhead and improving frame-time consistency. Microsoft has also indicated gaming-specific scheduler improvements are in progress for 2026, though the primary gaming gains will depend on GPU driver updates from Nvidia, AMD, and Intel alongside the OS changes.

Windows 11 upgrade eligibility checklist showing CPU TPM BIOS and storage icons
August 9, 2026

Windows 11 Upgrade Eligibility: The Full Compatibility Check

Post By administrator Microsoft, Windows , , , , , No Comments

Your Windows 11 upgrade eligibility depends on far more than a single chip. While TPM 2.0 grabs all the headlines, millions of PCs are blocked by CPU generation limits, BIOS misconfigurations, insufficient storage, and firmware quirks that Microsoft’s own upgrade tool barely explains. This guide walks through every real hurdle — and exactly what you can do about each one.

Why Windows 11 Compatibility Is Trickier Than Microsoft Lets On

BIOS UEFI screen showing TPM 2.0 enabled for Windows 11 upgrade eligibility

When Microsoft launched Windows 11 in October 2021, it published a deceptively short list of minimum system requirements: a 1 GHz dual-core 64-bit processor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, a DirectX 12-compatible GPU, a 720p display, UEFI Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0. Simple on paper — confusing in practice.

The PC Health Check tool flags many machines as incompatible without giving a clear reason. That is because there is not one gatekeeper; there are several, and they interact. Understanding each one separately is the only way to diagnose a blocked upgrade and decide whether to fix it, bypass it, or invest in new hardware.

The Full Windows 11 Requirements Checklist

Before you can upgrade to Windows 11, every item on this list must be satisfied:

  • Processor: 1 GHz or faster, 2 cores minimum, 64-bit, on Microsoft’s approved CPU list (Intel 8th Gen+ or AMD Ryzen 2000+)
  • RAM: 4 GB minimum (8 GB strongly recommended for day-to-day use)
  • Storage: 64 GB free space on the system drive
  • TPM: Trusted Platform Module version 2.0, enabled in firmware
  • Firmware: UEFI with Secure Boot capability
  • GPU: DirectX 12 compatible with a WDDM 2.0 driver
  • Display: 720p, at least 9 inches diagonal, 8 bits per colour channel
  • Internet: Required for initial setup on Windows 11 Home

Each item above can independently block an upgrade. Let’s break down the ones that cause the most confusion.

TPM 2.0: The Requirement Everyone Knows About

CPU generation comparison illustrating Windows 11 compatibility requirements for upgrade

TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module) is a dedicated security chip — or a firmware-based equivalent — that stores encryption keys and supports features like Windows Hello and BitLocker. It is built into virtually every CPU or motherboard made after 2016, but it is frequently disabled by default in BIOS/UEFI settings, which is why so many machines fail the check even when the hardware is present.

How to Check and Enable TPM 2.0

  1. Press Win + R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter.
  2. If the console shows “Compatible TPM cannot be found,” TPM is either disabled or not present.
  3. Restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI (usually Del, F2, or F10 at boot).
  4. Look for PTT (Intel Platform Trust Technology) or fTPM (AMD firmware TPM) and set it to Enabled.
  5. Save and reboot, then re-run tpm.msc — it should now report Version 2.0.

If your system genuinely has no TPM 2.0 support at all — common on pre-2016 hardware — you will need either a discrete TPM module (if your motherboard has a header for one) or a registry-based bypass for an in-place upgrade.

CPU Generation: The Hidden Windows 11 Compatibility Wall

This is the requirement that catches the most people off guard. Microsoft does not just require any dual-core 64-bit processor — it requires a processor from its approved list. That list starts at Intel 8th Generation Core (Coffee Lake) and AMD Ryzen 2000 series. An Intel Core i7-7700K — an excellent 2017 CPU — is officially unsupported, even though it is technically capable of running Windows 11 without issue.

Checking Your CPU Generation

Press Win + Pause/Break or search “About your PC” in the Start menu. The processor model number tells you the generation: on Intel, the first one or two digits after the hyphen indicate the generation (e.g., i7-8700 = 8th Gen, i5-10400 = 10th Gen). On AMD, the first digit of the Ryzen number is the generation (Ryzen 5 3600 = 3rd Gen, which is supported).

If your CPU predates those cutoffs, the official upgrade path is blocked — but Microsoft did release a registry workaround that bypasses both the TPM and CPU checks for an in-place upgrade. Note that doing so means your machine is unsupported, so you may not receive future feature updates.

BIOS vs UEFI: Secure Boot and Firmware Conflicts

Windows 11 requires UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, not the older Legacy BIOS mode. Many machines from 2012–2018 have UEFI firmware but boot in Legacy/CSM mode with an MBR-partitioned drive, which blocks the upgrade entirely.

How to Switch to UEFI Without Reinstalling

  • Open Disk Management and check whether your system disk uses MBR or GPT partitioning. GPT is required for UEFI boot.
  • If your disk is MBR, use Microsoft’s built-in mbr2gpt.exe tool (run from an elevated command prompt) to convert it non-destructively before switching BIOS mode.
  • Then enter UEFI settings, disable CSM/Legacy mode, and enable Secure Boot.
  • Reboot — Windows 10 should still start normally, and the upgrade path to Windows 11 will now be clear.

Secure Boot conflicts are also common after adding a new GPU or storage controller. If Secure Boot was recently enabled and Windows fails to boot, hold Shift while clicking Restart to access the recovery environment and roll back the setting.

Storage: The 64 GB Floor and Why Speed Matters Too

Laptop screen displaying Windows 11 requirements checklist for a successful upgrade

The 64 GB storage requirement for Windows 11 compatibility is a hard floor, not a recommendation. The upgrade process itself needs roughly 20–30 GB of temporary space on top of whatever the OS occupies, so a 64 GB drive that is 70% full will fail mid-upgrade and potentially leave your installation in an inconsistent state.

Beyond capacity, storage speed affects whether Windows 11 feels snappy or sluggish after the upgrade. Microsoft’s own testing indicates that machines running Windows 11 on a traditional spinning hard drive score significantly lower on the Windows Experience Index than those on an SSD. If your PC qualifies in every other way but runs on a mechanical drive, upgrading to a SATA or NVMe SSD is the single most impactful hardware change you can make — the OS installation process itself becomes faster, and boot times can drop from over 60 seconds to under 15.

RAM: 4 GB Is the Limit, Not the Target

Windows 11 requires 4 GB of RAM to install, but that figure is misleading for assessing real Windows 11 upgrade eligibility. The OS itself uses roughly 2–3 GB at idle, leaving almost nothing for open applications on a 4 GB system. For any practical workload — a browser with a few tabs, a document editor, background antivirus scanning — 8 GB is the realistic minimum, and 16 GB is comfortable for most users.

If your machine has 4 GB of DDR4 RAM and is otherwise compatible, check whether the memory is soldered or seated in upgradable DIMM slots. A RAM upgrade is often one of the cheapest ways to ensure the upgrade to Windows 11 actually delivers an improvement in day-to-day performance rather than just a new interface on a struggling system.

Running the PC Health Check — and Reading the Results Properly

Microsoft’s free PC Health Check app gives a pass/fail result but rarely explains which specific requirement failed. Here is how to interpret its output:

  • “The PC must support TPM 2.0” — check BIOS for PTT/fTPM setting (see above).
  • “The processor isn’t supported” — CPU is below the 8th Gen Intel / Ryzen 2000 threshold.
  • “The PC must support Secure Boot” — firmware is in Legacy/CSM mode; convert disk to GPT and enable UEFI boot.
  • “The PC doesn’t meet storage requirements” — free up space on the system drive to at least 64 GB, ideally more.

For a more detailed diagnosis, download and run WhyNotWin11 — a free open-source tool that checks each requirement individually and colour-codes the results, making it far easier to identify exactly what is blocking your upgrade.

What to Do If Your PC Fails Windows 11 Eligibility

If your hardware cannot be made compatible through BIOS tweaks alone, you have three realistic options:

  1. Use the registry bypass — Microsoft’s official workaround disables the CPU and TPM checks for an in-place upgrade. The machine remains unsupported, and Microsoft warns that future updates are not guaranteed, but many users are running Windows 11 on older hardware without issue.
  2. Clean install via bootable USB — a clean install from a Windows 11 ISO skips the Health Check entirely when you choose not to enter a product key during setup. You will need to activate Windows afterwards with a valid licence key.
  3. Upgrade the hardware — if the machine is otherwise solid, a new motherboard and CPU may be more cost-effective than a full replacement, especially if RAM and storage can be reused.

Whichever route you take, you will need a valid Windows 11 licence to activate the installation. Buy Now Key offers genuine Windows 11 licences at competitive prices — including Microsoft Windows 11 Home OEM from €9.65 and Microsoft Windows 11 Pro OEM from €12.90 — so you can get the OS activated properly without overpaying.

Upgrade to Windows 11 Before Windows 10 Support Ends

Microsoft ends mainstream support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. After that date, Windows 10 machines will stop receiving free security patches, leaving them exposed to unpatched vulnerabilities. That deadline is the single biggest reason to resolve your Windows 11 compatibility issues now rather than later — security updates are not optional for any internet-connected machine.

If your current machine passes the Windows 11 requirements checklist, the free upgrade from Windows 10 is still available via Windows Update as of mid-2025. If it does not pass, this guide gives you the tools to fix, bypass, or plan around every blocker on the list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upgrade to Windows 11 if my CPU is not on Microsoft’s supported list?

Yes, but unofficially. Microsoft released a registry hack that bypasses both the CPU generation check and the TPM 2.0 requirement for an in-place upgrade from Windows 10. The resulting installation will not carry a “supported” status, which means Microsoft may exclude it from future feature updates — though security patches have continued to reach these machines so far. Proceed with a full backup before attempting the bypass.

Does enabling TPM 2.0 in BIOS delete my data?

No. Toggling the TPM setting in UEFI firmware (enabling PTT on Intel or fTPM on AMD) does not erase your files, applications, or Windows installation. The only exception is if you already had BitLocker enabled and then clear the TPM — in that case you would need your BitLocker recovery key to regain access. If BitLocker is off, enabling TPM is entirely safe.

What is the difference between UEFI and Legacy BIOS for Windows 11 requirements?

UEFI is a modern firmware interface that supports GPT disk partitioning, Secure Boot, and faster boot times. Legacy BIOS (also called CSM mode) is the older standard that uses MBR partitioning and does not support Secure Boot. Windows 11 requires UEFI with Secure Boot enabled. Many older PCs have UEFI firmware but are configured to boot in Legacy mode — switching them to UEFI mode (after converting the disk from MBR to GPT) is usually sufficient to satisfy this requirement.

Will a clean install of Windows 11 skip the compatibility checks?

A clean install from a bootable Windows 11 USB drive does bypass the PC Health Check that runs during an in-place upgrade, but the installer still checks for TPM and Secure Boot by default. To skip those checks during a clean install, you need to add a specific registry key to the installer environment or use a modified ISO. Microsoft’s own documentation describes the registry method for in-place upgrades; for clean installs, the process is slightly different and involves editing the installer’s configuration before booting.

How do I know if my PC has enough free storage for the Windows 11 upgrade?

Open File Explorer, right-click your C: drive, and select Properties. You need at least 64 GB of total storage and enough free space for the upgrade process — aim for at least 20–30 GB of free space beyond your current OS footprint. If you are short, use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool or Storage Sense to remove temporary files, old Windows update caches, and the Windows.old folder from any previous upgrade before retrying.

Windows 11 desktop showing unexpected OneDrive Photos auto-install notification
August 2, 2026

OneDrive Photos Auto-Install on Windows 11: What to Do

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OneDrive Photos auto-install on Windows 11 caught millions of users off guard in late July 2026 — the app simply appeared without any prompt, consent screen, or opt-in. If you have noticed a new image viewer in your Start menu or taskbar that you never downloaded, you are not alone, and you are not imagining things. This guide explains what OneDrive Photos actually is, why Microsoft is shipping it this way, and exactly what you can do about it.

What Is OneDrive Photos?

OneDrive Photos app gallery interface showing face grouping on Windows 11

OneDrive Photos is a standalone image-viewing and organisation app that Microsoft has bundled into the OneDrive sync client. It presents your cloud-stored images in a gallery layout and offers face-grouping powered by facial recognition — meaning it can scan your uploaded photos, detect faces, and cluster pictures of the same person together.

According to Microsoft’s own OneDrive support documentation, the People grouping feature is optional and can be turned off at any time through the app’s Privacy and Permissions settings, at which point all stored facial-grouping data is deleted. However, the app itself arrives without that conversation ever taking place — the installation is silent.

How the OneDrive Photos Silent App Install Happens

The silent app install happens because OneDrive Photos is not an independent application distributed through the Microsoft Store. It is a component bundled directly inside the OneDrive sync client, which Windows 11 ships with by default. When the OneDrive client updates — which it does automatically in the background — it can silently deploy OneDrive Photos as part of that update payload.

This means the app can appear on virtually any Windows 11 PC that has OneDrive installed, including systems running Windows Server 2025. Users who had never opened OneDrive or actively chosen to use it found the icon appearing on their desktop or pinned to the taskbar with no warning.

  • Trigger: An automatic background update to the OneDrive sync client
  • Scope: Any Windows 11 device with OneDrive installed — home, Pro, and enterprise
  • Consent: None requested before installation
  • Microsoft Store: Not distributed there; cannot be removed via the Store

Why Is Microsoft Doing This?

Windows 11 Settings installed apps screen for removing OneDrive Photos auto-install

Microsoft’s strategy here is consistent with a broader pattern: tightening the link between Windows 11 and its cloud services ecosystem. OneDrive already backs up Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders for many users; OneDrive Photos extends that relationship by adding a dedicated viewing surface for that content.

From a business perspective, increased engagement with OneDrive Photos means more users encounter prompts to upgrade from the 5 GB free tier to a Microsoft 365 subscription. The facial-recognition feature in particular offers genuine utility — organising thousands of holiday snaps by person is useful — but that utility does not justify installing software that processes biometric data without first asking permission.

The timing also fits a competitive pattern: Google Photos has long dominated the cloud photo-management space, and Apple iCloud Photos is deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem. Microsoft is attempting to close that gap on Windows 11, the operating system it controls entirely.

How to Detect OneDrive Photos on Your System

Checking whether OneDrive Photos has already landed on your PC takes less than a minute. Follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Apps → Installed apps.
  3. Search for OneDrive in the search bar.
  4. If you see a separate OneDrive Photos entry — or if the main OneDrive entry has expanded — the app is present.
  5. Alternatively, open File Explorer and look for a Photos section in the left navigation pane linked to OneDrive.

You can also check Settings → Personalisation → Taskbar to see whether an OneDrive Photos icon has been pinned without your knowledge.

Remove OneDrive Photos: Your Options

Privacy shield blocking silent OneDrive Photos facial recognition on Windows 11

Because OneDrive Photos is bundled inside the OneDrive client rather than shipped as a standalone package, your removal options are limited but workable.

Option 1 — Uninstall OneDrive Entirely

The most complete fix is to remove the whole OneDrive sync client. Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps, find Microsoft OneDrive, click the three-dot menu, and select Uninstall. Confirm the prompt and restart. This removes the sync client, the Photos component, and any auto-update mechanism that could reinstall them. Be aware that your OneDrive cloud files remain safe — uninstalling the client does not delete anything from the cloud.

Option 2 — Keep OneDrive, Disable the Photos Component

If you rely on OneDrive for file sync but do not want the Photos app front-end, open OneDrive Photos, navigate to Settings → Privacy and Permissions, and toggle off the People grouping feature. This disables facial recognition and deletes any stored grouping data. You can also change your default image viewer back to the Microsoft Photos app (or any other viewer) via Settings → Apps → Default apps.

Option 3 — Block Auto-Install via Group Policy (IT Admins)

On Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, IT administrators can use Group Policy to prevent the OneDrive client from installing additional components. The relevant policy is found under Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → OneDrive. Preventing OneDrive from running as part of Windows setup also blocks future silent deployments of bundled apps.

The Facial Recognition Privacy Question

The detail that has generated the most concern around this OneDrive Photos silent app install is the biometric angle. Facial recognition data is classified as sensitive biometric information under the UK GDPR and the EU AI Act. Installing an app that offers face-scanning — even as an opt-in — without disclosing that installation to the user raises questions about informed consent.

Microsoft’s position is that the face-grouping feature is strictly opt-in within the app, and that all processing is tied to the user’s Microsoft account data rather than stored locally in a way accessible to third parties. That may be technically accurate, but the fact that the app arrives uninvited means users who are unaware of its presence may inadvertently grant camera or photo permissions while troubleshooting something else entirely.

The safest approach: if you did not ask for OneDrive Photos, do not give it any permissions until you have decided whether you actually want it. Treat it like any other unfamiliar app that appeared on your device.

What This Means for Your Windows 11 Licence

None of this affects your Windows 11 activation or licence validity. If you purchased Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro — whether retail or OEM — your licence remains fully valid regardless of how many optional Microsoft apps are bundled alongside it. The OneDrive Photos situation is a software policy decision, not a licensing issue.

That said, if silent installs like this make you reconsider your Windows setup or prompt you to do a clean reinstall, you can find genuine Windows 11 Pro licences at Buy Now Key from €17.90 — giving you a clean, verified activation without paying the full retail price.

If you are on Windows 11 Home and the expanded app ecosystem is becoming frustrating, it may be worth considering an upgrade path. Our Windows 11 KB5089549 update coverage also explains other recent changes Microsoft has pushed in the background, so you can stay informed about what your OS is actually doing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is OneDrive Photos the same as the Microsoft Photos app?

No. Microsoft Photos (also called the Photos app) has been the default image viewer in Windows 10 and 11 for years. OneDrive Photos is a separate, newer component bundled inside the OneDrive sync client. Both can coexist on the same PC, and Windows 11 may now have three image-viewing options installed: Photos, OneDrive Photos, and any third-party viewer you added yourself.

Does OneDrive Photos automatically scan my face without permission?

No — facial recognition requires an explicit opt-in inside the app’s Privacy and Permissions settings. However, the app is installed without consent, so you may not realise it is present until it requests access to something. The safest step is to deny all permissions until you have reviewed the settings and decided whether you want the feature.

Will uninstalling OneDrive delete my cloud files?

No. Removing the OneDrive sync client from your PC does not delete anything stored in your Microsoft cloud account. Your files, photos, and shared documents remain in OneDrive and can be accessed via a web browser at onedrive.live.com. Uninstalling only removes the local sync agent and bundled apps like OneDrive Photos.

Can this happen on Windows 10 as well?

Yes. Reports confirm that OneDrive Photos has also appeared on machines running Windows 10 and even Windows Server 2025 that have the OneDrive sync client installed. The deployment is tied to the OneDrive client update mechanism, not to the Windows version itself.

How do I stop Microsoft from silently installing apps in future?

There is no single toggle that blocks all Microsoft-bundled app deployments, but several steps help: disable automatic OneDrive updates via Group Policy (Pro/Enterprise), periodically audit your installed apps list, and use a local account rather than a Microsoft account, which reduces the number of cloud-tied services that activate automatically. Regularly reviewing Settings → Apps → Installed apps is the quickest manual check.

Windows 11 memory usage RAM meter showing high consumption before fix
August 1, 2026

Windows 11 Memory Usage: Which Apps Hog RAM and What’s Being Fixed

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Windows 11 memory usage is a bigger problem than most users realise — and now Microsoft has said so publicly. The company has acknowledged that its own built-in applications consume far more RAM than they should, directly hurting system responsiveness even on machines with 16 GB of memory or more. A fix centred on the WinUI 3 framework is in progress, but the details matter. Here is a clear breakdown of what is happening, which apps are the worst offenders, and what the incoming patch can realistically be expected to deliver.

Why Microsoft’s Admission on Windows 11 RAM Usage Is a Big Deal

WinUI 3 framework causing high Windows 11 app RAM overhead illustration

It is rare for Microsoft to publicly concede that a core aspect of its operating system is poorly optimised. Yet that is precisely what happened in mid-2026, when the company confirmed it has been working on changes to WinUI — the UI framework that powers most modern built-in Windows 11 applications — specifically to reduce its memory footprint. According to Windows Latest’s reporting, Microsoft stressed that the memory improvements must land before it proceeds with a broader UI rewrite — including a planned Start Menu overhaul. In other words, the RAM problem is now a blocking issue for future Windows 11 development, not a side project.

That context elevates this beyond a routine performance complaint. When Microsoft puts memory optimisation on the critical path for its flagship OS roadmap, it signals that the situation is serious enough to delay other work. For everyday users experiencing sluggishness on otherwise capable hardware, that validation is long overdue.

Which Built-In Apps Drive the Worst Windows 11 RAM Consumption

The culprits are the modern, WinUI-based inbox applications that ship with every copy of Windows 11. These apps were rebuilt using Microsoft’s newer UI toolkit, which — while visually polished — carries a heavyweight rendering engine that loads significant resources even when an app is merely sitting in the background.

  • Microsoft Teams (personal/chat widget): The integrated Teams experience that auto-starts with Windows 11 has been one of the most consistently cited memory offenders, routinely consuming several hundred megabytes at idle.

  • Widgets panel: The Widgets service runs persistent background processes that fetch news, weather, and finance data continuously, adding to overall Windows 11 RAM usage even when the panel is closed.

  • Microsoft Photos: Rebuilt on WinUI 3, Photos loads a heavier runtime than its Windows 10 predecessor despite offering a largely similar feature set to most users.

  • Settings app: The relaunched Settings application — a WinUI shell — keeps portions of itself resident in memory after you close it, a behaviour tied directly to the framework’s initialisation overhead.

  • Cortana / Search indexer: Although Cortana’s profile has shrunk, background search indexing and the Search highlights feature maintain a persistent RAM presence that can spike under load.

  • Xbox app and Game Bar: Game-related services auto-launch on non-gaming machines and contribute to idle memory pressure, particularly on systems with 8 GB of RAM.

The common thread across all these apps is WinUI 3 itself. The framework initialises a rendering stack — DirectComposition, XAML islands, and associated services — regardless of how lightweight the app’s actual workload is. That overhead is the root problem Microsoft has now committed to addressing.

What the WinUI 3 Performance Fix Actually Promises

Four steps to reduce Windows 11 RAM usage and improve system performance

Microsoft’s stated approach is to reduce the per-process memory cost of the WinUI 3 runtime. The key changes being worked on include deferred initialisation (loading rendering components only when an app is actually brought into view rather than at process start), better resource sharing between WinUI processes, and tighter controls over background service lifetimes for inbox apps.

According to PCWorld’s coverage of the story, Microsoft plans a WinUI 3 overhaul specifically before it begins rebuilding major UI surfaces such as the Start Menu. That sequencing is deliberate: a Start Menu written in the current WinUI 3 framework would be catastrophically expensive in RAM terms, so the framework must be leaner first.

What this means practically for users:

  • Idle RAM consumption from built-in apps should fall noticeably once the updated WinUI runtime rolls out through Windows Update.

  • App launch times may improve because less of the rendering stack will be pre-loaded at startup.

  • Systems with 8 GB of RAM — the official minimum for Windows 11 — should see the biggest gains, since they are most constrained by the current overhead.

  • The fix is framework-level, meaning it will benefit all WinUI apps simultaneously rather than requiring individual updates to each application.

However, it is worth tempering expectations. A framework-level memory improvement rarely produces overnight miracles. The optimisations will roll out incrementally, and some apps may require their own updates to take full advantage of the leaner runtime.

How to Reduce Windows 11 RAM Usage Right Now

You do not have to wait for Microsoft’s patch to reclaim memory. Several practical steps can meaningfully reduce Windows 11 memory usage today.

Disable Auto-Starting Apps

Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), navigate to the Startup apps tab, and disable anything you do not need at boot. Teams personal, Xbox app, and the Widgets service are safe to disable for most users and deliver immediate relief.

Turn Off the Widgets Panel

Right-click the taskbar, select Taskbar settings, and toggle Widgets off. This kills the background data-fetching service and typically frees 150–300 MB of RAM, depending on your system.

Adjust Virtual Memory Settings

If you are on 8 GB of RAM, ensure Windows 11 is managing your page file automatically. Go to System > Advanced system settings > Performance > Advanced > Virtual memory and select “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.” This gives the OS more headroom when physical RAM is tight.

Uninstall Unused Inbox Apps

Windows 11 allows you to uninstall most built-in apps via Settings > Apps. Removing applications you genuinely never use — such as the Maps app, Solitaire Collection, or the Xbox app on non-gaming machines — eliminates their background processes entirely, which is more effective than simply closing them.

Keep Windows 11 Fully Updated

Microsoft is already shipping incremental memory improvements ahead of the full WinUI overhaul. Staying current via Windows Update ensures you receive these as they land. The May 2026 cumulative update (KB5089549) included memory management refinements as part of its broader patch package — staying up to date is the easiest optimisation of all.

Does Windows 11 Memory Usage Affect Whether You Should Upgrade?

Windows 11 memory fix comparison showing RAM usage before and after patch

If you are still on Windows 10 and weighing an upgrade, this issue deserves honest consideration. Windows 11 does carry a meaningfully higher idle RAM baseline than Windows 10, largely because of the WinUI-based app ecosystem. On machines with 16 GB or more, the difference is rarely felt in practice. On 8 GB systems, particularly those used for productivity tasks that also have a browser open, the overhead can translate into real sluggishness.

That said, Windows 10 reaches end of life in October 2025, meaning it will no longer receive security patches — a far more significant risk than slightly elevated RAM usage. The correct response is not to avoid Windows 11 but to ensure your hardware is genuinely ready for it, and to apply the practical optimisations above while Microsoft’s framework fix matures.

If you need a clean, fully activated copy of Windows 11 at a fair price, Buy Now Key offers Microsoft Windows 11 Pro – Retail with lifetime activation from €17.90, or the more affordable Microsoft Windows 11 Home – OEM from €9.65 — both delivering instant digital delivery and full activation support.

What to Watch For in Upcoming Windows 11 Memory Fix Updates

Microsoft has not published a single release date for the WinUI 3 memory improvements — the changes are being rolled out progressively through Windows Update and preview builds in the Windows Insider Programme. Users who want to track progress should watch for Insider builds that mention “WinUI performance,” “memory management,” or “reduced app resource usage” in their changelogs. The full Start Menu rebuild — which follows the memory work — will itself serve as a signal that the framework optimisation phase is substantially complete.

In the meantime, the Windows 11 KB5089549 update breakdown on this blog covers what Microsoft has already shipped in recent cumulative updates, giving you a clear picture of how performance work is progressing right now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Windows 11 use so much RAM compared to Windows 10?

Windows 11 rebuilt many of its core inbox applications using the WinUI 3 framework, which carries a heavier rendering stack than the older Win32 apps it replaced. This framework loads DirectComposition and XAML services even for relatively lightweight applications, driving up baseline Windows 11 RAM usage. Microsoft has acknowledged this overhead and is actively working to reduce the WinUI 3 per-process memory cost.

Which Windows 11 apps use the most memory?

The biggest consumers of Windows 11 RAM at idle are typically Teams (personal integration), the Widgets panel, Microsoft Photos, and the Settings application — all of which are built on WinUI 3. Background services tied to the Xbox app and Cortana also contribute. Disabling auto-start for these apps is the fastest way to cut idle RAM consumption.

Will Microsoft’s WinUI 3 fix automatically apply to my PC?

Yes. Because the fix targets the WinUI 3 runtime itself rather than individual applications, it will be delivered as part of cumulative Windows Updates. You do not need to reinstall Windows or sideload anything — keeping Windows Update enabled is sufficient. Some benefits may also arrive through Microsoft Store updates to individual inbox apps.

Is 8 GB of RAM still enough for Windows 11?

8 GB meets the official Windows 11 system requirements and works adequately for light use. However, with current WinUI overhead, multitasking on an 8 GB system — especially alongside a browser with multiple tabs open — can feel constrained. Microsoft’s memory fix should meaningfully improve the experience, but 16 GB remains the practical sweet spot for comfortable day-to-day use in 2026.

Can I disable built-in Windows 11 apps to save RAM?

Yes, most inbox apps that you do not use can be uninstalled via Settings > Apps, or disabled from auto-starting via Task Manager’s Startup apps tab. Removing unused WinUI apps eliminates their background processes entirely, which is more effective than simply closing them. Apps like Maps, Solitaire, and the Xbox app are safe to remove on non-gaming machines.

Illustration of a Windows 11 2026 clean installation showing Microsoft Store app privacy data retained after formatting, with secure local storage, Microsoft cloud synchronization, and account data persistence represented by security, cloud, and storage icons.
July 31, 2026

Microsoft Store App Privacy: Why History Survives a Clean Install

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Microsoft Store app privacy is more complicated than most users realise. Do a full clean install of Windows 10 — boot from USB, format the entire drive — sign back into your Microsoft account, and open the Store. Years of app installations are already listed, waiting for you (or anyone else using that machine). No local data survived the wipe, yet the history is all there. This article explains exactly why it happens, what data Microsoft stores in the cloud, and the concrete steps you can take to prevent it.

Why Your Store App History Survives a Full Format

Cloud storage keeping Microsoft Store app history separate from local device data

Your Microsoft Store app history is not stored on your local drive — it is stored against your Microsoft account in the cloud. When you sign in with a Microsoft account, the Store automatically pulls your full acquisition history from Microsoft’s servers, regardless of what happened to the device underneath it. The operating system version, whether you formatted once or five times, or whether you switched to a brand-new machine entirely — none of that matters. The history lives in your account, not on your SSD.

This is by design. Microsoft treats app purchases and free acquisitions like a library: once an app is tied to your account, you can re-download it on any compatible device at any time. A handy feature for software continuity — a significant privacy concern when you want a genuinely clean start.

What Exactly Is Recorded Under Your Account

The data that persists includes every app you have ever installed or purchased from the Microsoft Store, going back to whenever you first created your account. According to Microsoft’s own support documentation on order history, all purchases and free acquisitions are logged against your account billing record. This covers:

  • Free apps you downloaded (games, utilities, productivity tools)
  • Paid apps and any in-app purchases
  • Apps installed on previous devices you no longer own
  • Apps from accounts tied to old email addresses you’ve since linked
  • Apps installed by other users who signed in on the same machine

Because the Microsoft Store has been integrated into Windows since Windows 8 (launched in 2012), some accounts carry over a decade of installation history — easily hundreds of entries.

The Real-World Privacy Risk of Persistent Store App History

Microsoft Store app privacy dashboard showing stored app history and clear option

Windows app privacy matters most in scenarios people don’t always anticipate. Selling or donating a laptop is an obvious one: even after a clean reinstall, the next user can simply sign in to see what apps were associated with the machine’s previous owner if credentials are ever shared or guessed. More subtly, anyone who shares a Microsoft account — family members, a small business where staff use the same sign-in — can see a full log of what everyone has downloaded.

There is also the profiling angle. Your app installation history forms part of the behavioural data Microsoft holds on your account. The Microsoft Privacy Statement confirms that personal data associated with your account includes device and usage data as well as activity-related information — data that can inform advertising targeting and product recommendations across Microsoft’s ecosystem.

How to Check What Microsoft Store History Is Stored

Before clearing anything, it is worth seeing the full picture. Here is how to review your Microsoft Store history right now:

  1. Open the Microsoft Store and click your profile icon in the top-right corner.
  2. Select Library — this shows all apps ever associated with your account, not just the ones currently installed.
  3. For a broader view, visit account.microsoft.com/billing and navigate to Order history. This lists every Store transaction, including free acquisitions.
  4. For the full data picture, go to account.microsoft.com/privacy (Microsoft’s Privacy Dashboard) and review your app and service activity data.

Most users are surprised by the volume. Hundreds of app entries accumulated over years are common for anyone who has used Windows 10 or Windows 11 since launch.

Step-by-Step: How to Reduce Your Windows App Privacy Footprint

Windows app privacy settings screen disabling activity history sync in Windows 11

A clean install alone will not solve a Microsoft Store history problem. These are the steps that actually work.

1. Clear Data via the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard

Head to account.microsoft.com/privacy and sign in. Microsoft’s Privacy Dashboard lets you view and delete various categories of stored activity data. Look for app and service activity, and use the clear function to remove entries. Note that purchase records for paid apps cannot be deleted (they are required for licence verification), but activity data for free acquisitions can be reduced.

2. Sign in with a Local Account Instead of a Microsoft Account

This is the single most effective change you can make for Windows app privacy. When you use a local account, the Microsoft Store cannot link your app activity to a persistent cloud profile. To switch:

  • Go to Settings → Accounts → Your info and select Sign in with a local account instead.
  • Complete the wizard and restart.
  • You can still use the Store by signing in just for that session, without permanently tying history to a cloud account.

The trade-off is losing features like cross-device sync and OneDrive integration, so consider whether those are features you use.

3. Create a Fresh Microsoft Account for Clean Installs

If you want cloud features but not decades of history, creating a new Microsoft account on a new device or after a reinstall gives you a genuinely clean slate in the Store. Free — just a new email address. Useful when selling or donating a machine.

4. Disable Activity History in Windows Settings

In Windows 10 and Windows 11, navigate to Settings → Privacy → Activity history and toggle off Store my activity history on this device and Send my activity history to Microsoft. This does not delete past history but stops new activity from being recorded going forward.

5. Review App Permissions Before and After a Reinstall

Each time you do a fresh install, visit Settings → Privacy and audit which apps have access to your location, microphone, camera, and contacts. A reinstall resets some permission states, but linked cloud data means the apps themselves still know your history once you sign in.

Does This Affect Windows 11 as Well?

Yes — and arguably more so. Windows 11 pushes users more aggressively towards Microsoft accounts during setup, making it harder to opt for a local account during the out-of-box experience. The Microsoft Store is also more deeply integrated into Windows 11, meaning Microsoft Store history is more likely to be pulled automatically at sign-in. The same privacy steps above apply, but local account setup on Windows 11 requires an extra step: on the network screen during install, press Shift + F10 to open a command prompt and type OOBE\BYPASSNRO to enable the “I don’t have internet” option, which allows local account creation.

If you are considering upgrading or doing a fresh install of Windows 11, Buy Now Key stocks genuine Windows 11 Pro Retail licences — a clean, properly activated copy is the right foundation for managing your privacy settings from the start.

Should Microsoft Change How Store App History Works?

The Reddit thread that brought this issue to wider attention in 2025 sparked a clear consensus: users expect a full drive format to mean a fresh start. The fact that cloud-synced Store app history contradicts that expectation is a transparency problem, not just a technical quirk. Many commenters noted they had no idea the history was being stored at all, let alone that it would reappear automatically after a reinstall.

Microsoft does provide tools to manage this data — the Privacy Dashboard exists precisely for this purpose — but they are not surfaced during setup or during the clean-install process. A prompt at first sign-in saying “Your previous app history is available — would you like to restore it or start fresh?” would be a straightforward improvement. Until that happens, users have to take matters into their own hands using the steps above.

Windows 10 Users: Your Licence and Your Privacy

If you are running Windows 10 and have been putting off getting a legitimate licence before the end-of-support deadline, now is a sensible time to sort both your activation and your privacy settings. Buy Now Key offers Windows 10 Pro OEM licences from €8.90 — a straightforward way to get a properly activated system on which you can immediately apply the privacy controls described in this guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does formatting my hard drive delete my Microsoft Store app history?

No. Formatting your drive and reinstalling Windows removes all local data, but your Microsoft Store app history is stored against your Microsoft account in the cloud. The moment you sign back in with that account, the history reappears automatically. To remove it, you need to use Microsoft’s Privacy Dashboard at account.microsoft.com/privacy.

Can I use the Microsoft Store without a Microsoft account?

You can browse the Store without an account, but downloading most apps requires signing in. Using a local Windows account and signing into the Store only when needed — rather than keeping a permanent sign-in — is the best middle ground for reducing persistent history tracking.

How do I delete my Microsoft Store purchase history?

Free app acquisitions and activity data can be cleared via the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard (account.microsoft.com/privacy). Paid purchase records cannot be deleted, as Microsoft retains them for licence and billing purposes. You can review what is stored under the “App and service activity” section of the dashboard.

Does Windows 11 have the same Microsoft Store history problem?

Yes. Windows 11 is even more tightly integrated with Microsoft accounts than Windows 10, meaning Store app history syncs automatically at sign-in. The same steps apply: use a local account where possible, or regularly clear activity data via the Privacy Dashboard. Windows 11 also makes local account setup harder during installation, requiring an extra workaround during the out-of-box experience.

Will switching to a local account delete my existing Microsoft Store history?

No — switching to a local account on your device does not delete data already stored in the cloud against your Microsoft account. It simply prevents new activity from being automatically linked and displayed going forward. To delete the stored history itself, you need to log into account.microsoft.com/privacy and clear it there.

Modern Windows 11 file properties dialog with WinUI 3 dark mode design
July 23, 2026

Windows 11 File Properties Gets a Modern WinUI Redesign

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The Windows 11 file properties dialog is getting its most significant overhaul in roughly three decades. Microsoft is rebuilding the ageing Properties window — one of the last surviving relics of the Windows 95 era — using the modern WinUI 3 framework. If you right-click a file in File Explorer dozens of times a day, this update is going to matter to you.

Why the File Properties Dialog Needed an Overhaul

Comparison of Windows file properties dialogs from Windows 95 (1995) and a modern WinUI 3 (2026) design, highlighting the evolution from the classic gray interface to the dark Windows 11-style layout. Both windows display document details, file information and attributes over a Windows 11 desktop with the 2026 taskbar.

The current file properties dialog in Windows 11 has always looked out of place. While Microsoft has steadily redesigned Start, Settings, Taskbar, and File Explorer itself to match the Fluent Design language, the Properties window stubbornly remained a throwback — white borders, fixed-size tabs, and no dark mode support. Users running Windows 11 in dark mode have long complained that every right-click → Properties pull-up breaks their carefully curated dark theme, flashing a bright white box onto the screen.

According to reporting by Windows Latest, the legacy dialog traces its roots back to Windows 95, meaning the code powering it is over 30 years old. That legacy codebase made it difficult to add new features, impossible to properly theme, and increasingly inconsistent with the rest of the OS shell.

What Is WinUI 3 and Why Does It Matter for File Metadata?

WinUI 3 is Microsoft’s modern UI toolkit, built on top of the Windows App SDK. It replaces the older Win32 and UWP component stacks with a unified framework that supports dynamic theming, improved accessibility, hardware-accelerated rendering, and consistent typography. When Microsoft rebuilds the WinUI file explorer Properties dialog with WinUI 3, all of those benefits flow directly to an interface millions of users touch every single day.

  • Dark mode support: The redesigned dialog will respect the system accent colour and dark/light theme toggle — something the legacy version never did.

  • Consistent typography and spacing: Text will use the Segoe UI Variable font at correct weights, matching the rest of Windows 11’s shell.

  • Responsive sizing: The old dialog had a fixed, non-resizable window. The WinUI version can scale to different display densities and screen sizes.

  • Faster rendering: WinUI 3 uses a composition-based renderer, so the dialog can open and paint significantly faster than the legacy Win32 version.

  • Improved accessibility: WinUI components include built-in support for screen readers and keyboard navigation patterns that the old dialog lacked.

What Changes for Everyday Windows File Metadata Tasks

Windows 11 file properties Details tab showing editable Windows file metadata fields

If you regularly edit Windows file metadata — tagging photos, editing document author fields, adjusting video titles, or checking file sizes before sharing — the redesigned Properties window will feel substantially more pleasant to use. Here is what the updated experience looks like in practice:

The General Tab

The General tab, which shows file type, size, location, and creation/modification dates, gets a cleaner layout with better padding and legible icons. Timestamps are displayed in a format that adapts to your regional settings more reliably.

The Details Tab

The Details tab — arguably the most powerful part of the file properties dialog — is where you view and edit embedded metadata like title, subject, tags, authors, and copyright strings. In the WinUI redesign, this tab is expected to feature inline editing improvements and a scrollable, more readable list that no longer looks like it belongs in a 1990s enterprise app.

Dark Mode at Last

This is the change most users have been waiting for. The entire Windows 11 file properties window will finally honour the system-wide dark mode setting. No more jarring white flash when you inspect a file’s attributes at night.

The Security and Sharing Tabs

Advanced tabs like Security (NTFS permissions) and Sharing are also being brought under the WinUI umbrella, ensuring a coherent look throughout the entire dialog rather than a mix of old and new panels.

When Will the WinUI File Explorer Properties Update Arrive?

As of May 2026, the redesigned WinUI file explorer Properties dialog has been spotted in Windows 11 Insider Preview builds, hidden behind a feature flag. Microsoft typically enables such flags for Canary channel testers first, then Dev, Beta, and finally the Release Preview before a stable rollout. Based on the current cadence, a general availability release in the second half of 2026 is plausible, though Microsoft has not announced a specific date.

If you are on the Insider Programme’s Canary or Dev channel, you can try enabling experimental features using third-party tools such as ViVeTool — though Microsoft does not officially support or recommend this for production machines.

How to View and Edit File Properties in Windows 11 Right Now

Windows 11 File Explorer right-click menu to open file properties dialog

While the redesign rolls out, the current Windows file metadata system is fully functional. Here is a quick refresher on getting the most from it:

  1. Right-click any file in File Explorer and choose Properties (or press Alt + Enter with a file selected).

  2. On the General tab, check the file type, size on disk, and the read-only/hidden attributes.

  3. Switch to the Details tab to view and click-to-edit embedded metadata fields such as title, tags, and author.

  4. To remove personal metadata before sharing a file, click Remove Properties and Personal Information at the bottom of the Details tab.

  5. On the Security tab, you can review and change NTFS permissions — useful for managing access on shared or multi-user PCs.

Does the File Properties Redesign Require a New Windows 11 Licence?

No. Like most Windows 11 shell updates, the new file properties dialog will be delivered as a cumulative update to existing Windows 11 installations — both Home and Pro editions. You do not need to repurchase your licence. However, you do need to be running a supported version of Windows 11 to receive ongoing updates. Windows 11 version 22H2 reached end of support on 8 October 2024, so if you are still on that build, you are no longer receiving feature updates of this kind.

If you have not yet upgraded to Windows 11 or need to activate a new device, Buy Now Key offers genuine Windows 11 licences at competitive prices — including Microsoft Windows 11 Pro Retail from €17.90 and Microsoft Windows 11 Home OEM from €9.65. Both provide lifetime activation and instant digital delivery.

Windows 11 File Properties vs Windows 10: What’s Already Different

Windows 11 already made several incremental improvements to the Properties dialog compared to Windows 10, even before the WinUI overhaul:

  • The right-click context menu was redesigned in Windows 11, meaning you reach Properties via a cleaner, modern menu rather than the classic cascading list.

  • File Explorer in Windows 11 introduced a new toolbar with a more modern command bar, though Properties itself stayed legacy.

  • Windows 11 22H2 and later builds improved how the OS surfaces file compression and encryption status within the General tab.

The WinUI 3 redesign is the first time the dialog box itself — not just the path to opening it — is being fundamentally modernised.

What This Means for Power Users and Developers

Power users who rely on the Windows file metadata Details tab for organising large photo or video libraries, managing document workflows, or auditing file permissions will benefit most from the upgrade. The WinUI 3 framework also opens the door for Microsoft to add new metadata fields, contextual previews, and integration with cloud services like OneDrive without being constrained by Win32 limitations.

For developers building Windows shell extensions, the move to WinUI 3 signals a broader shift: Microsoft is actively retiring legacy Win32 UI surfaces. If your tools add custom tabs or overlays to the Properties dialog, you will eventually need to migrate your extensions to the Windows App SDK to remain compatible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Windows 11 file properties window not follow dark mode?

The current Properties dialog is built on legacy Win32 code that pre-dates Windows 11’s theming engine. It does not integrate with the modern Fluent Design system, which is why it always renders in a light theme regardless of your system setting. The WinUI 3 redesign is specifically aimed at fixing this long-standing issue.

Will the WinUI file properties update change how I edit file metadata?

The core workflow — opening Properties, switching to the Details tab, clicking a field to edit it — will remain familiar. The redesign focuses on visual consistency, performance, and accessibility rather than changing the fundamental metadata schema. You will still edit the same fields in the same place, just in a much cleaner interface.

How do I remove personal metadata from a file in Windows 11?

Right-click the file, choose Properties, go to the Details tab, and click Remove Properties and Personal Information at the bottom of the panel. You can choose to remove all possible properties at once or select specific fields to clear. This works in the current dialog and will continue to work in the redesigned version.

Do I need Windows 11 Pro to get the new file properties dialog?

No. The WinUI 3 Properties dialog redesign applies to all editions of Windows 11, including Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education. Both Home and Pro users will receive the update through standard Windows Update channels once Microsoft enables it for stable builds.

Is the redesigned file properties dialog available now?

As of mid-2026, it is present in Windows 11 Insider Preview builds (Canary and Dev channels) but is not yet enabled by default on stable releases. Microsoft has not announced a specific general availability date, but the feature appears to be progressing towards a wider rollout later in 2026.

Windows 11 RAM requirements comparison showing 8GB versus 16GB memory usage
July 20, 2026

Windows 11 RAM Requirements: Is 8GB Really Enough in 2026?

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Windows 11 RAM requirements are modest on paper — Microsoft officially lists just 4 GB as the minimum — but real-world performance tells a very different story. Most laptops and desktops ship with 8 GB of RAM today, and while that clears Microsoft’s bar, our analysis of independent testing in 2026 reveals meaningful slowdowns the moment you open more than a handful of apps. If you’re about to buy a new PC, upgrade an existing one, or simply want to understand why your machine feels sluggish, this guide breaks it all down.

What Microsoft Actually Says About Windows 11 Memory

Infographic showing Windows 11 RAM requirements from minimum to recommended configurations

According to Microsoft’s official Windows 11 specifications page, the minimum RAM requirement is 4 GB. That’s the absolute floor just to install and boot the OS. In practice, the recommended configuration for a comfortable day-to-day experience has quietly crept upward, and most OEMs now ship consumer laptops with 8 GB as their entry-level configuration — treating it as the new practical minimum.

The gap between “minimum to run” and “enough to run well” is where most users get caught out. Windows 11 itself consumes roughly 3.3 GB of RAM at idle, compared to around 2.5 GB for Windows 10 — an overhead of approximately 800 MB before you’ve even opened a browser tab.

8GB RAM on Windows 11: The Real-World Picture

Independent testing published in 2026 — including The Verge’s review of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch — found that 8 GB of RAM on Windows 11 produces tangible bottlenecks during everyday multitasking. The verdict from multiple reviewers: it works, but you’ll feel it.

Productivity Workflows

Light document work in Microsoft Word or Excel runs fine. Problems emerge when you combine a word processor with a browser. Open 10–15 Chrome or Edge tabs alongside a PDF reader and a communication app like Teams or Slack, and Windows 11 begins aggressively paging to disk. On a machine with a fast NVMe SSD this is survivable; on a slower SATA drive it produces visible lag spikes of one to three seconds. Power users running multiple Office apps simultaneously will notice RAM for Windows 11 becoming a genuine constraint.

Gaming Performance

For gaming, 8GB RAM on Windows 11 is increasingly marginal in 2026. Many modern titles — particularly open-world games and first-person shooters — now list 16 GB as their recommended specification. With the OS consuming over 3 GB at idle, a game requiring 8 GB of VRAM-shared or system RAM can push a machine right to its physical ceiling. The result is stuttering, texture pop-in, and longer level-load times rather than smooth frame delivery. If gaming is a priority, 16 GB is effectively the new floor for Windows 11 memory.

Multitasking and Creative Work

Video editing, photo work in Lightroom, or running a virtual machine alongside other apps all expose the limits of 8 GB Windows 11 memory quickly. Windows 11 does handle memory compression intelligently, and features like Efficiency Mode in Task Manager help prioritise active windows — but compression has limits. Once physical RAM is fully committed, disk paging takes over and performance drops sharply, regardless of how fast your processor is.

How Much RAM Does Windows 11 Actually Need?

Bar chart comparing Windows 11 gaming performance across 8GB 16GB and 32GB RAM

Based on aggregated real-world data and 2026 testing benchmarks, here is a practical breakdown of Windows 11 RAM requirements by use case:

  • 4 GB — Absolute minimum; only suitable for very light web browsing and single-app use. Not recommended for general purchase in 2026.

  • 8 GB — Manageable for light productivity and casual web use, but shows slowdowns under multitasking and is insufficient for modern gaming.

  • 16 GB — The sweet spot for most users in 2026. Comfortable multitasking, mainstream gaming, and light creative work all feel responsive.

  • 32 GB — Recommended for content creators, developers, heavy multitaskers, and anyone running virtual machines or large datasets.

  • 64 GB+ — Professional workstation territory: 3D rendering, large video projects, scientific computing.

The honest answer to “how much RAM for Windows 11?” is 16 GB for anyone who wants headroom. Upgrading from 8 GB to 16 GB — or better still 32 GB — is consistently rated the single most impactful hardware improvement you can make to a sluggish Windows 11 machine.

Why OEMs Keep Shipping 8GB Machines

If 8 GB shows measurable shortcomings, why do so many manufacturers — including premium brands — continue selling Windows 11 laptops with 8 GB as standard? The answer is cost and margin. At scale, the difference between 8 GB and 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM represents a meaningful bill-of-materials increase, one that gets passed on to the consumer at an inflated retail markup. The Surface Laptop 13-inch 2026 controversy highlighted exactly this: a premium-priced device shipped with a configuration that independent reviewers called “not enough.” Consumers buying on brand reputation rather than spec sheets often don’t discover the limitation until they’re six months into ownership.

Before purchasing any new Windows 11 device, check whether the RAM is soldered to the motherboard (common in ultrabooks) or socketed. Soldered RAM cannot be upgraded after purchase — making your day-one configuration permanent. If a machine ships with 8 GB soldered RAM, that is its ceiling forever.

Windows 11 RAM Requirements for Specific User Types

Diagram showing how to upgrade RAM on a Windows 11 laptop for better memory performance

Students and Light Office Users

If your workflow is email, web browsing, Word documents, and video calls, 8 GB of Windows 11 memory is workable — especially on a machine with a fast SSD. Keep background apps closed and limit browser tabs. That said, even budget devices increasingly offer 16 GB configurations at competitive prices in 2026, so there’s rarely a compelling reason to accept 8 GB when buying new.

Gamers

Do not buy a gaming PC or laptop with 8 GB RAM in 2026. Period. Modern titles increasingly require 16 GB as their recommended spec, and Windows 11’s own overhead leaves you with less than 5 GB available for a game. Stuttering and reduced frame rates are the inevitable outcome. Prioritise 16 GB minimum, 32 GB if your budget allows.

Developers and Power Users

Running IDEs, compilers, local servers, Docker containers, or WSL2 environments on 8 GB RAM on Windows 11 is a recipe for frustration. RAM for Windows 11 development work starts meaningfully at 16 GB and benefits noticeably from 32 GB. Many developers report that switching from 16 GB to 32 GB halved their compile times simply by eliminating disk paging.

Creative Professionals

Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, and similar applications each recommend 16 GB as their own minimum, independent of OS overhead. Stack Windows 11 memory requirements on top of that, and 32 GB becomes the practical minimum for comfortable video editing or motion graphics work.

How to Check and Manage Your Current RAM

You can see exactly how much RAM your system has and how it’s being used right now without installing any third-party tools. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, then click the Performance tab and select Memory. The graph shows your current usage, and the “In use” figure tells you how much RAM Windows 11 is actively consuming at that moment.

If you’re consistently above 80% utilisation during normal work, your system is memory-constrained and will benefit from an upgrade. On machines with socketed RAM, adding an additional stick is often the fastest, most cost-effective performance improvement available.

You can also use Windows 11’s built-in Efficiency Mode (right-click any process in Task Manager) to throttle background processes and free up headroom for the app you’re actively using — a useful workaround when upgrading hardware isn’t immediately possible.

Checking Your System Meets All Windows 11 Requirements

RAM is just one piece of the Windows 11 requirements puzzle. Microsoft’s compatibility checker also validates your CPU, TPM version, Secure Boot, and storage. Before upgrading an older machine to Windows 11, it’s worth reading our full guide on Windows 11 system requirements and how to check before you upgrade — it walks through every hardware gate Microsoft enforces and what to do if you don’t meet them.

If your machine does qualify and you’re ready to move forward, Buy Now Key offers Microsoft Windows 11 Pro from just €17.90 — a genuine lifetime licence at a fraction of the retail price, with instant digital delivery.

Should You Buy a New Licence or a New PC?

If your current hardware meets Windows 11 requirements but you’re simply running an older licence or an unactivated copy, upgrading your Windows key is almost always the better financial decision over replacing the whole machine. A new Windows 11 Pro licence from Buy Now Key costs €17.90 — far less than a new laptop. Pair that with a RAM upgrade if your slots are open, and you can meaningfully extend the productive life of a machine you already own.

If, however, you’re on a machine with soldered 8 GB RAM, no upgrade path, and a processor that predates Windows 11 compatibility, replacement is the pragmatic choice. In that case, pay close attention to RAM configuration on any new device — and don’t settle for 8 GB.

FAQ

Is 4 GB of RAM enough for Windows 11?

Technically yes — 4 GB meets Microsoft’s official minimum Windows 11 RAM requirements. In practice, it is not enough for any realistic day-to-day use in 2026. Windows 11 itself consumes around 3.3 GB at idle, leaving virtually no headroom for apps or browser tabs. Avoid 4 GB configurations entirely.

Is 8 GB RAM enough for Windows 11 in 2026?

For light productivity — email, documents, and casual browsing — 8 GB RAM on Windows 11 is manageable if you keep background apps minimal. For gaming, creative work, or genuine multitasking, it is not enough and will produce noticeable slowdowns and disk paging. Most real-world tests in 2026 recommend 16 GB as the practical minimum for comfortable use.

Does Windows 11 use more RAM than Windows 10?

Yes. Windows 11 uses approximately 800 MB more RAM at idle than Windows 10 — around 3.3 GB versus 2.5 GB. While that difference sounds small in isolation, it directly reduces the memory available to your apps and can be the tipping point that causes paging on an 8 GB system that previously ran Windows 10 smoothly.

Can I upgrade the RAM on my Windows 11 laptop?

It depends on the laptop. Many ultrabooks and budget-to-mid-range laptops use soldered LPDDR RAM that cannot be upgraded after purchase. Thicker gaming laptops and many business-class machines use socketed SO-DIMM slots that allow upgrades. Check your specific model’s service manual or the manufacturer’s website before buying — and before assuming 8 GB today can become 16 GB tomorrow.

What is the best amount of RAM for Windows 11?

For most users in 2026, 16 GB is the sweet spot for Windows 11 memory — enough for comfortable multitasking, mainstream gaming, and light creative work with headroom to spare. Developers, video editors, and power users should target 32 GB. If you’re buying new hardware, 16 GB should be your minimum consideration regardless of the use case.

Does more RAM for Windows 11 will improve gaming performance?

Yes, significantly — up to a point. Going from 8 GB to 16 GB of RAM for Windows 11 typically eliminates stuttering and texture pop-in in modern games, as it removes the disk-paging bottleneck. Beyond 32 GB, the gaming benefit diminishes considerably, and GPU performance becomes the limiting factor instead.

Windows Search ads removal showing a clean ad-free search panel on Windows 11
July 16, 2026

Windows Search Ads Removal: What Microsoft’s Cleaner UI Means for You

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Windows Search ads removal is finally happening — Microsoft is actively testing a redesigned search experience that strips promotional content from the taskbar search panel and prioritises the results users actually care about. If you have ever typed an app name into the Windows search bar only to be greeted by sponsored suggestions, Bing news tiles, or MSN lifestyle content before seeing your own files, that frustration is now on Microsoft’s radar — and it is being fixed.

Why Microsoft Is Removing Ads from Windows Search

Side-by-side comparison of old cluttered Windows 11 search panel filled with MSN news tiles and promoted content versus new clean ad-free Windows Search interface with only local results, flat UI illustration style

For years, Windows users have grumbled about a search bar that felt more like a billboard than a productivity tool. When Microsoft first introduced promotional content and web-recommended results into the Windows 11 Start menu search, the backlash was swift. Forum threads, Reddit posts, and tech publications filled up with complaints that the search panel had become cluttered, slow to surface local results, and frankly, untrustworthy as a navigation tool.

Microsoft appears to have listened. According to coverage from Windows Central, the company has announced a major Windows 11 search overhaul that removes ads, drops MSN and Bing content from the home pane, and refocuses the interface entirely on local results — your files, apps, and settings. This is not a minor settings tweak; it is a structural redesign of how the search panel works.

What Exactly Is Changing in the Windows Search Overhaul

The new interface, currently rolling out through Windows Insider preview builds, brings several meaningful changes under the hood and on the surface.

No More Promotional Content in the Search Home Pane

The most visible change is the Windows Search without ads default. The search home pane will no longer populate with MSN news, Bing entertainment content, or promotional product suggestions from Microsoft Store when you open it. In the previous design, simply clicking the search icon triggered a wall of recommended content before you typed a single character. The new design presents a clean, uncluttered opening state.

Local Results Take Priority

Under the Windows Search overhaul, your locally installed apps, documents, settings, and files are promoted to the top of results. This is how search should have always worked — finding what is already on your machine before reaching out to the web. Source labels are being added too, so you know at a glance whether a result is coming from a local file, an installed application, a web result, or the Microsoft Store.

Web and Store Suggestions Moved, Not Removed

It is worth being precise here: this is a Windows Search without ads redesign, but it is not a complete disconnection from online content. Web search results and Microsoft Store suggestions still exist — they are just no longer the first thing you see, and they no longer appear as sponsored inserts ahead of relevant local content. The hierarchy has been flipped in favour of the user.

Faster, Calmer Interface

By removing the dynamic content that previously loaded from external sources each time you opened search, the new panel is reported to feel noticeably more responsive. Fewer network calls, fewer animated tiles, and a quieter visual design all contribute to a search experience that feels more like a tool and less like an app launch screen.

When Will the Windows Search Ads Removal Roll Out to Everyone?

Windows Search ads removal settings panel showing toggles to disable promoted content

As of mid-2025, the redesigned search is being tested within Windows Insider Canary and Beta channels. Microsoft has confirmed the change is intentional and part of a broader effort to improve user satisfaction with Windows 11’s search feature. The timeline for a stable channel release has not been officially pinned down, but given the scale of the positive response from Insider testers, a rollout to general availability Windows 11 users through a Windows Update is anticipated later in 2025.

Users on Windows 10 have not been mentioned in relation to this specific update, which is consistent with Microsoft’s broader strategy of concentrating new feature investment in Windows 11 ahead of Windows 10’s end of support on 14 October 2025.

How to Remove Ads from Windows Search Right Now (Before the Update Arrives)

If you are not on the Windows Insider programme and cannot wait, you can already reduce or eliminate most of the promotional clutter through the Settings app. Here is how to remove ads from Windows Search manually on your current build:

  1. Open Settings and navigate to Privacy & Security.

  2. Click Search permissions.

  3. Under Show search highlights, toggle this Off to remove animated and trending content from the search home pane.

  4. Under More settings, disable Show me suggested content in the Settings app.

  5. Back in Settings, go to Personalisation > Taskbar and review search box settings to choose a minimal display mode.

These manual steps get you most of the way there today, though the upcoming Windows Search overhaul will make them unnecessary by changing the defaults for everyone.

Windows Search Without Ads: Why This Matters for Productivity

Windows Search overhaul improving productivity by removing ads and clutter from search

The practical impact of a cleaner search bar is larger than it might initially appear. Studies on workplace interruptions consistently find that even brief visual distractions add up over a working day. Every time you open search and are met with a promoted app, a trending news story, or a Bing image highlight, your attention is being pulled slightly off-course before you have even started the task you intended to do.

For power users who rely on Windows Search as a fast launcher — pressing the Windows key, typing a few characters, and hitting Enter to open an app or document — the previous clutter was a genuine friction point. The remove ads from Windows Search change restores search to its core utility: fast, accurate, local-first navigation.

It also signals a broader cultural shift inside Microsoft. The company has faced criticism for gradually monetising the Windows interface through ads in Start menus, File Explorer banners, and lock screen placements. Voluntarily pulling promotional content from one of the most-used surfaces in the OS sends a clear message that user experience feedback is being acted upon.

Is This the Right Time to Upgrade to Windows 11?

If you are still running Windows 10, the search improvement is one of several reasons to consider making the move. Windows 10 reaches its official end of support on 14 October 2025, after which Microsoft will no longer issue security patches for the OS — a significant risk for any machine connected to the internet. Windows 11 brings not only this cleaner search experience but also improved security architecture, a refreshed interface, and ongoing feature investment from Microsoft.

At Buy Now Key, you can pick up a genuine Microsoft Windows 11 Pro licence starting from just €17.90 — a straightforward way to get onto the platform that is actively receiving these improvements. If you would prefer to start with the essentials, a Windows 11 Home OEM key is available from €9.65, making the upgrade accessible for home users on any budget.

You can also explore our full Windows Search customisation guide for tips on configuring the search experience to suit your workflow right now, while the official update makes its way through testing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Windows Search ads removal update exactly?

It is a redesign of the Windows 11 search panel currently being tested in Windows Insider preview builds. The update removes promotional and sponsored content from the search home pane, drops MSN and Bing lifestyle content from appearing when you open search, and prioritises local files, apps, and settings in results. Source labels are also being added so users can clearly see where each result originates.

When will Windows Search without ads be available to everyone?

Microsoft began testing the Windows Search overhaul in mid-2025 through Insider Canary and Beta channels. A rollout to the stable release channel is anticipated later in 2025, though Microsoft has not confirmed an exact date. It will arrive as a standard Windows Update rather than requiring a fresh installation.

Can I remove ads from Windows Search before the official update?

Yes. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Search permissions and turn off Search highlights. You can also go to Settings > Privacy & Security > General and disable suggested content. These toggles significantly reduce promotional material in search on current Windows 11 builds.

Does this update affect Windows 10 as well?

The announced Windows Search overhaul is specifically for Windows 11. Windows 10 is approaching its end-of-support date on 14 October 2025, and Microsoft has not announced a similar change for that platform. Users who want the improved search experience will need to upgrade to Windows 11.

Will web results disappear entirely from Windows Search?

No. Web results and Microsoft Store suggestions remain part of the Windows Search experience — they are simply no longer promoted above local content or displayed as sponsored inserts. The hierarchy has changed so local results come first, and web results follow in a clearly labelled section.

Is Windows 11 worth upgrading to just for this change?

The cleaner search is one of several compelling reasons to upgrade, but it sits alongside more important benefits like continued security updates, improved hardware security features, and an actively developed feature roadmap. With Windows 10 support ending in October 2025, upgrading is strongly recommended regardless of the search improvement.