CPU utilization Archives

AppWizard

April 9, 2025

The Last of Us Part 2 proves that 8 GB of VRAM can be enough, even at 4K with maximum settings, so why aren’t more games using the same clever asset-streaming trick?

Sony's The Last of Us Part 1 faced significant issues upon its PC release, including bugs, instability, and excessive VRAM usage, leading to debates about the adequacy of 8 GB of VRAM. In contrast, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered demonstrated improved VRAM management during testing, with an RTX 5080 averaging 11.36 GB of memory usage and an RTX 3060 Ti averaging 11.06 GB. The game effectively managed VRAM without overloading the GPU, unlike its predecessor. Additionally, TLOU2 exhibited high CPU utilization, indicating efficient parallel task management. This performance suggests that proper asset streaming can maintain stability even on lower VRAM configurations, highlighting the importance of effective asset management in future AAA titles.

Winsage

March 25, 2025

Windows 11’s awful search is getting an AI boost soon, and that’s not all

Microsoft is set to release updates for Windows 11, focusing on user experience through artificial intelligence. Two preview builds, Windows 11 Build 26100.3613 and Windows 11 Build 26100.3624, are available to Windows Insiders, with an official rollout expected in April. Key features include: - Introduction of semantic search, allowing users to search using natural language instead of exact keywords, initially available on Snapdragon-powered devices. - Live captions and real-time translation for AMD and Intel Copilot+ PCs, translating spoken content into English, while Snapdragon users can translate English into Chinese. - Enhancements to Voice Access, allowing users to describe commands and adding support for the Chinese language. - New "cards" in the Settings app displaying key specifications like CPU, memory, and storage. - Modifications to Task Manager for tracking CPU utilization. - A new Xbox gamepad keyboard interface for desktop PCs. - An updated emoji interface with a new system tray icon for easier emoji insertion. - Improvements to widgets for better control over lock screen display.

Winsage

March 25, 2025

Windows 11’s awful search is getting an AI boost soon, and that’s not all

Microsoft is set to release updates for Windows 11, including two preview builds—Windows 11 Build 26100.3613 and Windows 11 Build 26100.3624—available to Windows Insiders, with a rollout expected in April. Key features include: - Semantic search capability, allowing users to search using descriptive phrases, initially exclusive to Windows on Snapdragon PCs. - Enhanced Voice Access feature with a more flexible command structure for natural language control. - Live captions and real-time translation capabilities for Copilot+ PCs, supporting up to 44 languages, with translation from English to Chinese for Snapdragon users. - A new emoji interface accessible via a dedicated icon in the taskbar. - A redesigned Windows Settings interface featuring "cards" for quick access to CPU, memory, and storage specifications. - Refinements in CPU utilization monitoring in Task Manager. - A new Xbox gamepad keyboard interface for typing via an Xbox controller.

Winsage

March 21, 2025

Microsoft readies next Windows 11 feature drop with gaming, emoji, and lock screen updates

Microsoft is enhancing Windows 11 with new features, including: - A dynamic emoji panel button on the Taskbar that appears when typing in a text field. - A reintroduced gamepad keyboard for easier typing with a controller. - Customizable widgets on the lock screen through the Windows Settings app. - A real-time language translation feature for Intel and AMD-powered devices, translating over 44 languages into English during video calls. - A natural language feature in voice access for Snapdragon PCs. - Live captions and real-time translation capabilities for AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs. - Real-time translation support for Chinese (Simplified) on Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs. - A new Settings homepage for commercial customers with relevant cards for enterprise-managed PCs. - An overview of key PC specifications under Settings > System > About. - Natural Language Commanding in voice access for more fluid command issuance. - Voice access support for commands in Simplified and Traditional Chinese. - An icon in the system tray to enhance the discoverability of the emoji panel. - Adjustments to Task Manager's CPU utilization calculations and a new optional column for backward compatibility. - The ability for web developers to create dynamic and interactive widgets using existing web content. - Extended support for lock screen widgets in the European Economic Area (EEA). - A Gamepad keyboard layout for the touch keyboard for Xbox controller users. These features are currently being tested in the Windows Insider Release Preview Channel, with a broader rollout expected in the coming weeks.

Winsage

March 19, 2025

Windows 11 Task Manager’s CPU readings are finally getting an upgrade

Microsoft has rolled out an update to Windows 11, specifically Build 26100.3613, available on the Release Preview channel. The update enhances the Task Manager by revamping how CPU utilization is calculated and includes an optional column for the previous CPU value. It improves the Live Captions feature of Copilot+, allowing real-time translation of over 44 languages into English and plans to extend this to Simplified Chinese. New features include a redesigned Settings homepage for commercial customers, a gamepad keyboard layout for touch keyboards, and improved voice access with natural language commanding and Chinese language support. The update also addresses various system reliability issues, including fixes for ctfmon.exe, sleep and wake cycle bugs, and HDR content playback display issues.

Winsage

March 14, 2025

After years of complaints about Windows Task Manager displaying CPU utilization incorrectly, a fix is finally on its way

Microsoft has updated the Task Manager in Windows to improve CPU usage metrics by shifting from base clock speed calculations to more accurate effective clock speed measurements. This change aims to provide consistent CPU workload displays across various sections of Task Manager, addressing long-standing inaccuracies that have confused users, particularly power users and gamers. A recent test demonstrated discrepancies between Task Manager and third-party tools, highlighting the need for this update. Users will have the option to revert to the previous measurement method if desired. The update also includes new accessibility options in File Explorer and enhancements to system information visibility.

Winsage

March 14, 2025

This new Windows 11 feature would be perfect for an Xbox gaming handheld

Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel can install Windows 11 Build 22631.5116, which includes the gamepad keyboard feature for Xbox controllers, enhancing gaming accessibility on smaller screens. The update also improves Task Manager's CPU utilization calculations, File Explorer's text scaling support, and Settings with a new home page feature for commercial devices. Additionally, a new system tray icon for the emoji panel has been introduced. The rollout is gradual, with Microsoft addressing bugs like those affecting ctfmon.exe and printer outputs. This update aims to optimize Windows 11 for gaming, especially with upcoming handheld devices.

Winsage

March 7, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27808 (Canary Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27808 has been released to the Canary Channel. There are no plans to release SDKs for the 27xxx series builds. A significant update to the Task Manager has been initiated, aligning CPU utilization metrics with industry standards, and a new optional CPU Utility column is available on the Details tab. Several fixes have been made, including resolving issues with popular games, printing bugs, blank search windows, Settings app crashes, inaccurate battery icon colors, and BitLocker performance. Known issues include a d3d9.dll crash affecting application launches and a warning for Copilot+ PCs transitioning to the Canary Channel regarding the loss of Windows Hello PIN and biometrics. Enhancements to the Microsoft Store include a new spotlight design and updates to the Downloads page. Insiders in the Canary Channel are reminded that builds may not correspond to specific releases and may evolve or be removed. A clean installation is required to exit the Canary Channel.

Winsage

March 7, 2025

Windows 11 Canary build 27808 is out with better CPU monitoring in Task Manager and more

Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel can download build 27808, which includes enhancements to CPU monitoring in Task Manager and various fixes for gaming, printing, search, graphics, BitLocker, and more. Notable updates include a change in how Task Manager calculates CPU utilization, aligning it with industry standards, and the introduction of an optional CPU Utility column on the Details tab. Fixes include: - Resolved a bug causing games like Roblox to crash upon launch. - Corrected a printing issue that triggered crashes in certain applications. - Fixed a glitch resulting in a blank search window in the taskbar. - Addressed a crash issue in Settings when adding a color profile. - Rectified inaccurate color displays in the battery icon. - Improved performance for loading BitLocker UI elements and fixed a looping issue with BitLocker. - Resolved an error with the Get-BitLockerVolume command. Known bugs include issues with Windows Hello PIN and biometrics for users transitioning from other channels, and ongoing investigations into a d3d9.dll crash affecting application launches.

Winsage

March 4, 2025

Windows 11 will soon fix the most confusing part of Task Manager

Microsoft released updates for Windows 11 Insider Builds, including Build 27802 for the Canary Channel and Builds 22635.5015 or 26120.3360 for the Beta Channel. Customizable lock screen widgets are now available to Windows Insiders in the European Economic Area (EEA), allowing users to add, remove, and rearrange widgets like Weather, Watchlist, Sports, and Traffic. A new group policy, "Disable Widgets On Lock Screen," enables IT administrators to disable these widgets on managed PCs, currently limited to EEA regions. Build 26120.3360 includes an updated Task Manager that calculates CPU utilization using standard metrics and introduces an optional CPU Utility column for those preferring the previous method. A new file sharing feature allows users to share files directly to apps from File Explorer or the desktop. Build 22635.5015 tests a new system tray icon for the emoji and more panel, enhancing discoverability and allowing customization through taskbar settings.