Photo testing memory usage on Windows 8 and Windows 7.
In a "test" version of two netbooks with the same configuration, Windows 8 reduced 120 MB of RAM compared to Windows 7. According to Steven Sinofsky, design manager in charge of Windows 8, the new operating system will have Technology improvements to save RAM include:
This technology allows the operating system to effectively access system RAM during normal reading. Microsoft predicts its technology can save 10 MB to 100 MB of RAM depending on the task the user performs.
Compared to Windows 7, services like Plug and Play, plug-and-play updates (Windows Update), and User PnP Framework in Windows 8 are only loaded when users request.
In Windows 8, users can use both the metro interface and the traditional desktop interface. Microsoft thinks that major users will use the Metro interface, so the 'classic' desktop memory will not be pre-loaded, saving about 23 MB of memory.
Windows 8 has the ability to prioritize memory based on usage. For example, the memory used for task execution on Word will take precedence over the memory used for virus scanning. With this priority, the system will not release the RAM that priority applications are using whenever a new application opens requiring the system to add more memory.