Windows 11 has long carried a reputation for being hungry for system resources, but a recent discovery suggests the next major release could be far leaner than expected. According to a report from Neowin, a user found that Windows 11 26H2 can run on shockingly low RAM when installed using a trick involving the popular Rufus utility.
The finding came after the user installed the OS with Rufus and took advantage of one of its newer features. The result, reportedly, was an installation that consumed far less memory than a standard Windows 11 setup, sparking online discussion about how much bloat Microsoft ships by default.
What the user actually found
Per the Neowin report, the user installed Windows 11 26H2 using Rufus rather than a conventional installation method. After the install completed, they noticed the operating system was using considerably less RAM than they expected for a fresh Windows 11 build.
The specific memory figures weren’t spelled out in the summary of the report, but the takeaway is clear: a modified installation can meaningfully reduce the OS’s memory footprint. In an era when Windows 11 routinely leaves a chunk of your RAM tied up in background services, telemetry, and preinstalled apps, even a modest reduction can be noticeable on machines with limited memory. For anyone juggling dozens of browser tabs alongside their work, that headroom can matter.
How the Rufus trick works
Rufus is a free, long-standing utility that most PC users know for creating bootable USB flash drives. It’s especially popular among enthusiasts because it offers a range of options the standard Microsoft Media Creation Tool doesn’t, such as bypassing hardware requirements like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, or creating installers for older or unusual Windows builds.
Beyond that, Rufus has added features that let you strip out unwanted components from a Windows ISO before you install it. This is the feature that appears to be at play here: by removing certain preinstalled apps, services, or bundled software, the resulting installation can be lighter on resources including RAM. It’s a way to get a slimmer Windows without manually hunting down and disabling individual services after the fact.
Why Windows 11 26H2 RAM usage matters
Windows 11 26H2 is a planned future release of the operating system. As with each annual Windows update, it’s expected to bring a mix of new features and under-the-hood changes, though specifics about 26H2 have been limited as it moves through development.
The broader context is that Microsoft has faced ongoing criticism over how many resources its operating system consumes out of the box. Background processes, Cortana-related services, and a growing list of preinstalled applications all contribute to memory pressure, particularly on machines with 8GB of RAM or less. Reports like this one feed into that conversation, reminding users that the default install isn’t the only option available.
What this means for you
If you’re running an older machine or one with limited RAM, this discovery is worth a look. A leaner installation could translate to snappier performance and more headroom for the applications you actually use. That said, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.
Modifying a Windows installation isn’t for everyone. Stripping components can occasionally remove functionality you might want, and it means you’re working with a non-standard setup that could behave differently during updates. Microsoft’s own installation is tested and supported; a Rufus-modified ISO is your responsibility. Think of it as a trade-off between a lighter system and a fully stock, vendor-backed experience.
How to get it
To try this yourself, you’ll need the Rufus utility and a Windows 11 ISO. Rufus is available for free from its official website. During the process of creating your bootable drive, look for the options that let you customize the installation—these are the controls that allow you to remove unwanted components.
Before making changes to any system, it’s always wise to back up your data and create a recovery drive. And if you’re on a machine under warranty or managed by an organization, check with your IT team before installing a modified version of Windows.
Source: Neowin
Over to you: Would you use a Rufus trick to slim down your Windows 11 install, or do you prefer Microsoft’s out-of-the-box setup?
