Microsoft Ditches RAM Recommendation for Windows 11

Microsoft has quietly removed its official recommendation for Windows 11 RAM requirements from its website. The removed post, which previously advised that 16GB of system memory should serve as the baseline requirement for Windows 11 and 32GB for peak performance, now redirects visitors to the main learning hub. This move comes amid soaring global component prices, particularly for DDR4 and DDR5 memory.

The removal has raised eyebrows, especially since Microsoft continues selling budget Surface devices with just 8GB of RAM. These machines are priced at $849 (12-inch Surface Pro) and $949 (13-inch Surface Laptop), while competing models from other manufacturers start at lower prices. Tech outlets have independently tested Windows 11's memory management and found that it consumes a significant amount of system memory upon startup, leading to noticeable slowdowns when running multiple browser tabs or applications.

The move highlights the long-standing user criticism that Windows 11 is overly resource-intensive. Industry watchers suggest that Microsoft may need to optimize its software to make up for the discrepancy between recommended RAM requirements and actual machine specifications if it continues selling low-RAM devices in a market where 16GB has become the new standard.