CPU resources Archives

Winsage

February 28, 2026

Steam OS vs. Windows: Which Wins for Handheld Gaming?

The handheld PC market is currently divided between powerful Windows devices, like the ASUS ROG Ally X, and Steam OS-powered devices that focus on gaming immersion. Steam OS allows users to access their game libraries immediately upon booting, providing a distraction-free experience. In performance comparisons, devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S show a 69% speed increase on SteamOS (39 fps) compared to Windows (23 fps), while the ROG Ally X can see a 32% performance boost with SteamOS. Battery life differs significantly, with the Steam Deck offering 3 to 6 hours of gameplay versus the ROG Ally X's 2 to 4 hours, despite the latter having a larger battery. Windows handhelds provide compatibility with various gaming platforms but suffer from inefficiencies due to background processes that consume CPU resources. Microsoft's Xbox Full Screen Experience attempts to improve usability but does not resolve the underlying issues. Windows handhelds typically have 8GB or 16GB of VRAM, which may be insufficient for future games, while SteamOS's lighter footprint allows for better VRAM allocation, enhancing performance. SteamOS is gaining traction not necessarily due to technical superiority but because of its efficiency in addressing the unique constraints of handheld gaming.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Some users are claiming Discord’s default process priorities are causing performance problems in esports games, so I’ve tested it myself to see what’s going on

Some users have raised concerns that Discord's default process priorities may be too high, potentially hindering gaming performance by consuming excessive CPU resources and leading to lower frame rates in games like Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant. A test on a Ryzen 9 9900X rig with an RTX 5090 showed that while frame times were marginally higher with Discord active, the differences were minimal—often just a millisecond or two. For casual gamers, these variations are unlikely to affect the overall experience. Adjusting Discord's priority to Normal in Task Manager may help free up CPU resources for gaming, though Discord is generally light on processor demand. Users are advised against setting game priorities to High or Real Time, as this can cause instability without real performance benefits.

AppWizard

February 14, 2026

Google launches early Android 17 Beta for Pixel devices targeting app scalability

Google has launched the first Beta of Android 17 for Pixel devices, skipping the traditional Developer Preview. The Android Beta program is available for Pixel devices starting from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel Tablet, allowing users to enroll via the Android Beta website for an Over-The-Air update. Android 17 focuses on app scalability across various devices and includes performance improvements with a new garbage collection method and camera functionality upgrades. The full release timeline is flexible, expected several months after a Platform Stability milestone in March, likely after the Google I/O event in May and possibly coinciding with the Pixel 11 launch in August. Users can enroll in the Beta through the Android Beta website, but may experience instability, and those without a Pixel can use the Emulator in Android Studio.

Winsage

December 24, 2025

How to Get Moving Wallpapers on Windows 11: Guide to Animated Desktops

Windows 11 is set to introduce native video wallpaper support in late 2025, currently available in testing builds for Windows Insiders, supporting formats like MP4, MKV, and WebM. Users can access animated wallpapers through third-party applications, with Lively Wallpaper being a recommended free option that supports various formats and features. Wallpaper Engine is a paid alternative known for its extensive library and interactive wallpapers. VLC Media Player can also set videos as wallpapers, but it has limitations such as requiring constant operation and higher resource usage. Animated wallpapers generally consume more battery and system resources, but modern applications include features to mitigate these impacts. Users are advised to download wallpapers from trusted sources to ensure safety.

Winsage

December 7, 2025

Windows 11’s “Agenda” view in the Notification Center is a WebView2 (web app component), not native

Windows 11 will reintroduce Calendar Agendas to the Notification Center in an upcoming update, a feature that was absent since the transition from Windows 10. The new Agenda view, based on Outlook, will utilize a WebView2 component, which has raised concerns about its dependence on Edge resources. Microsoft is currently testing this feature in Windows 11 preview builds, with users reporting mixed results regarding its performance and resource usage. Activating the Agenda view has been observed to significantly increase CPU usage, particularly for the “Windows Shell Experience Host” process, which can rise from idle to consuming 6% to 20% of CPU resources. The memory footprint of the main host can escalate from about 1MB to over 130MB when the Agenda view is active. However, once the Notification Center is closed, Windows reduces resource consumption by putting these components into a dormant state. The Agenda view is designed to provide a clean, chronological list of scheduled meetings and will include optional AI features like 'Microsoft 365 Copilot' and direct access to Teams meetings. Initial assessments suggest that the Agenda view operates efficiently without excessive resource consumption, although there are ongoing discussions about optimizing WebView2 within the Notification Center.

Winsage

November 13, 2025

Tested: The Task Manager bug that slowed your PC is gone in Windows 11 Build 26200.7171

Microsoft has released the Windows 11 November 2025 Update (Build 26200.7171/26100.7171 or newer), which fixes an issue where the Task Manager did not close properly when the Close (X) button was clicked. This problem, first observed after the October optional update (KB5067036), caused multiple invisible instances of the Task Manager to accumulate, consuming 20-25 MB of RAM and 0 to 1.5% of CPU resources, leading to performance degradation. Microsoft confirmed that the October update inadvertently caused this issue while attempting to fix a grouping problem within the Task Manager. The November update (KB5068861) resolves the bug, restoring the expected functionality of the Task Manager. Users can check for lingering instances by opening the Task Manager and observing if multiple instances appear after closing and reopening it.

Winsage

November 1, 2025

Windows 11 Has a Buggy, Duplicating Task Manager That Hogs Resources

Microsoft's recent Windows 11 update KB5067036 has introduced a bug in the Task Manager, causing it to remain open and spawn new instances each time users attempt to close it. Each instance consumes between 20 to 95 MB of RAM and utilizes approximately 0.9% of CPU resources. Users can close multiple instances by clicking "End Task" or using the command line command taskkill /im taskmgr.exe /f to terminate all Task Manager processes at once. The root cause of the bug is unclear, as it involves a unique management system in the NT kernel that does not follow the traditional parent-child thread structure.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

Windows 11 Task Manager bug makes the app’s “close” button do the exact opposite

The recent update to the Windows Task Manager has caused it to not fully terminate when closed, leaving the executable active in memory and resulting in multiple instances running simultaneously. Each instance consumes about 20MB of RAM and 0 to 2 percent of CPU resources. This can lead to performance and battery life issues, especially for users who frequently access the Task Manager or do not reboot their systems often.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

Windows 11 Task Manager Bug: How to Fix It

Microsoft's optional update for Windows 11, KB5067036, introduces a revamped Start menu, enhancements to the taskbar, and improvements to File Explorer. However, it has a bug affecting the Task Manager, where closing the window does not terminate the program, leading to multiple background instances that can consume memory and CPU resources. Users have shared solutions on platforms like Reddit, including using the “End Process” function or the command line command taskkill /im taskmgr.exe /f to terminate all instances. The update is still in preview, with a finalized version expected in two weeks, and users may want to wait before updating due to potential undiscovered bugs.

Tech Optimizer

October 22, 2025

4 free antiviruses that protect, detect and remove viruses and malware without slowing down your PC

Experiencing a slowdown in computer performance, delayed program launches, or unexpected pop-ups may indicate a digital infection. Free antivirus software can effectively address these issues. Free versions from reputable companies now rival paid counterparts in detection capabilities and performance. Windows Defender is a built-in solution with real-time scanning, a firewall, and ransomware protection. Avast Free Antivirus offers a user-friendly interface and intelligent detection, including network scans. AVG AntiVirus Free is known for minimal resource consumption and shares a database with Avast. Kaspersky Free provides substantial protection against phishing and malware without intrusive ads. Choosing the right antivirus depends on usage patterns; casual users may suffice with free options, while those handling sensitive data might need premium versions. Lightweight solutions like AVG or Windows Defender are suitable for older computers, while Avast or Kaspersky are better for modern laptops connecting to public Wi-Fi. Regular updates for free antivirus programs are essential for protection against emerging threats. Real-time detection is crucial for blocking threats before they affect the system, and most contemporary free solutions utilize cloud-based systems for enhanced security. Independent assessments show that effective free antivirus programs consume minimal system resources. Safe online habits, such as avoiding unfamiliar links and software from questionable sources, complement antivirus protection. Installing multiple antivirus programs can lead to conflicts, so it's best to use one reliable solution. Comprehensive protection can be achieved without financial investment by making informed choices.