Microsoft says 8GB "great for everyday use" after years insisting 16GB for Windows 11

For years, Microsoft said you should have 16GB of RAM to run Windows 11. It's good advice, too, as that beached whale of an operating system is its most bloated yet, with default-on cloud syncing, background telemetry, and dozens of preinstalled apps. They even turned part of the start menu into a web app. Why? So they could stuff it with ads. With the AI-driven component price crisis, though, Microsoft has changed its tune. 8GB will be just fine.

Microsoft updated its Surface buying guide to describe 8GB RAM as "great for everyday use like browsing, streaming, schoolwork, and productivity apps." A companion FAQ adds that 16GB or more is what unlocks Copilot+ PC features. No acknowledgment that, for two years, Microsoft was the loudest voice telling everyone that 16GB was non-negotiable for a good Windows 11 experience.

As recently as February, Microsoft recommended 32GB of RAM. But now 32GB of RAM costs $400, and that's the cheap sticks. The latest Surface Laptops, with just 8GB of RAM? $949, or even $1,299—a tough sell with the more desirable 8GB MacBook Neo starting at $600 (though not for much longer). I couldn't find a 32GB model for less than $2,299.

Abhijith at Windows Latest:

Microsoft spent years betting on the Copilot+ PC branding. The 16GB minimum, the NPU requirements, all of it was designed to create a new hardware tier that Microsoft could build an upgrade cycle around. It didn't land the way they planned. For a major launch like the Surface Laptop Ultra, the company had no choice but to avoid downplaying the NVIDIA RTX Spark. They dropped the Copilot+ PC branding in the press release, even though it already fell under the same category.

If you're one of the lucky billion to still be on Windows 10, count your lucky stars!