performance issues Archives

Tech Optimizer

February 11, 2026

How to Disable Windows 11 Defender: Temporary and Permanent

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is the built-in security solution for Windows 11, protecting against viruses, malware, and ransomware. Users may need to disable it temporarily or permanently for various reasons, including software installation, penetration testing, performance issues, transitioning to third-party antivirus solutions, or troubleshooting conflicts. Temporary disabling can be done through the Windows Security app, which will automatically re-enable after a restart. Permanent disabling requires changes in Group Policy, applicable only to Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, and necessitates disabling Tamper Protection first. Another method for permanent disabling is installing a third-party antivirus, which automatically deactivates Defender's real-time protection. Windows 11 Home users cannot use Group Policy for permanent disabling but can still temporarily disable Defender or install a third-party antivirus. Disabling Defender exposes the system to threats, and users should ensure they have alternative protection in place. Major Windows updates may reset Defender settings, and caution is advised when modifying system settings.

Winsage

February 1, 2026

Microsoft says latest Windows 11 issue crashes explorer.exe, makes taskbar disappear, but a fix is rolling out

A bug in Windows 11 has been causing disruptions, particularly affecting the Explorer.exe process, leading to the desktop user interface and taskbar disappearing for users. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and will release a fix in the optional update, Windows 11 KB5074105, in January 2026. The problem affects Windows installations with certain startup applications configured, causing Explorer.exe to stop responding upon signing in. Users are advised to manually restart Explorer.exe via Task Manager if it becomes unresponsive. The KB5074105 update will also fix issues with Explorer not displaying custom folder names correctly and resolve problems with an unresponsive lock screen and black screens linked to a previous update.

Winsage

January 30, 2026

Why Windows 11 feels slower than Windows 10—and why it’s not just in your head

Windows 11 features a modern architecture with advanced schedulers and SSD support, but many users experience sluggishness, with delays in menus and dialog boxes. This perception of reduced responsiveness compared to Windows 10 has been linked to the use of XAML, which modernizes traditional desktop components but introduces performance issues due to added abstraction layers. Disabling animations does not resolve the delays, which are attributed to XAML's reliance on GPU acceleration for simple tasks, leading to inefficiencies. The cumulative effect of these micro-delays, measured in milliseconds, contributes to an overall feeling of sluggishness, regardless of high-end hardware. Microsoft's design choices prioritize visual consistency and modern UI technology, resulting in trade-offs in everyday responsiveness. The slower perception of Windows 11 compared to Windows 10 is rooted in these deliberate technical decisions.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a chaotic yet brilliant RPG, and you haven’t got long to get it cheaper than ever

Dragon's Dogma 2 is a triple-A RPG that has garnered mixed reactions from players, with some appreciating its depth while others find it lacking. Players take on the role of the Arisen, tasked with summoning Pawns and confronting a Dragon. The game features a 'Vocation' system that allows players to choose and change classes, enhancing combat strategy. Since its release, the game has improved in performance, and it has received a rating of 7/10 from a recent review. Currently, Dragon's Dogma 2 is available for .06, a 64% discount, but this offer ends on February 1, 2025, at 4 PM PT.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

It’s not a myth – Capcom has fixed Monster Hunter Wilds, and I even tested it to find out

Capcom has released a significant patch for Monster Hunter Wilds aimed at improving performance, particularly on PC. The update addresses performance issues, resulting in smoother gameplay with reduced stutters and more stable frame rates across various system configurations. A new CPU options menu allows players to fine-tune settings, reducing the burden on processors. The patch reduces VRAM usage, benefiting players with 8GB GPUs, including those using devices like the Legion Go S handheld. While frame rate boosts may vary, the patch improves the 1% lows, leading to a more consistent experience. Players with high-performance rigs report maintaining around 60 fps during intense battles at a resolution of 3440x1440, achieving frame rates between 62 and 75 fps without frame generation technology. The patch also enables effective use of frame generation, doubling frame rates without sacrificing smoothness. Capcom plans to release additional performance patches in the future.

AppWizard

January 29, 2026

Nioh 3 just got a Steam demo, and given Team Ninja’s history I’m surprised how well it runs on my aging rig

Team Ninja's recent release, Rise of the Ronin, faced performance issues on PC, including stuttering, framerate fluctuations, and crashes, similar to problems seen in their earlier title, Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty. Nioh 2 also had launch challenges, while Ninja Gaiden 4 performed decently but lacked customizable settings. Players with a Ryzen 5 5600H and 16GB RAM experienced mixed results with Nioh 3, achieving around 60 fps at 1080p on "very low" settings, but framerate could drop to 44 fps in the open world. The introduction of frame generation support in Nioh 3 improved performance, allowing players to use higher graphics settings while maintaining at least 60 fps. Players reported minimal input lag during the demo, and the game was found to be demanding on platforms like the Steam Deck OLED.

AppWizard

January 29, 2026

Monster Hunter Wilds gets a PC patch which Capcom says will fix the recently reported DLC performance bug

Capcom released a patch for the PC version of Monster Hunter Wilds to address performance concerns, particularly around the Support Desk area in the Base Camp or Grand Hub, where performance drops were noted when players had unclaimed content. The patch aims to resolve an unintended bug related to CPU load increases due to claimed content status checks. An upcoming update is scheduled for February 18 to further enhance stability and performance across all platforms. The latest patch includes improvements to CPU/GPU processing, adjustments to texture streaming and VRAM usage, a new CPU settings tab, expanded graphics options, and various bug fixes. The patch requires approximately 2.0 GB of space, with a total of about 31 GB needed for the High-Resolution Texture Pack. Players are advised to update their video drivers for optimal performance.

AppWizard

January 29, 2026

One Of 2025’s Best Games Is Getting A Vital Update On PC

Monster Hunter Wilds, released in 2025, faced performance issues on PC, leading to declining frame rates and technical problems. In response, Capcom released patch version 1.040.03.01 to address these issues, identifying an unintended process related to the Support Desk at Base Camp and the Grand HHub as a significant factor causing increased CPU load and reduced FPS. The patch includes optimization improvements for Steam-specific processes and options to reduce processing load. An upcoming update, Version 1.041, is scheduled for release on February 18th, promising further enhancements.

AppWizard

January 29, 2026

The new Monster Hunter Wilds update is way better than I was expecting, and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel

Capcom has released a performance update for Monster Hunter Wilds, addressing framerate drops and stuttering issues. The update reduces CPU and GPU load, decreases shader warming processes, and improves texture streaming. Players have reported noticeable improvements in framerate stability, with averages reaching between 55 and 70 frames per second during gameplay. Community feedback has been largely positive, with users experiencing smoother gameplay and fewer performance issues. The update includes new graphics settings and a high-resolution texture pack that requires a redownload of approximately 31GB but results in a total size reduction of about 45GB. Additionally, performance issues related to the 'DLC cat' have been addressed. The update, version 1.040.03.01, is now live on Steam.

AppWizard

January 29, 2026

Sorry if this jinxes it, but the latest Monster Hunter Wilds performance improvement patch seems like it actually improved performance

Capcom released a performance patch for Monster Hunter Wilds that has significantly improved the game's performance on PC, particularly on Steam. Users report a remarkable reduction in frametime lows, with many stating that all previous performance issues have been resolved. The patch has received a positive reception, leading to a surge in favorable reviews. Players are now able to recommend the game, with some finding optimal settings for performance on the Steam Deck. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the patch has effectively addressed prior gameplay hitching issues, resulting in smoother framerates.