RAM usage Archives

Winsage

June 22, 2026

I tested Microsoft PC Manager’s RAM-freeing tool and learned why high memory usage isn’t always a problem

Users of Windows 11 often report high RAM usage, with figures reaching 70-90 percent, leading to concerns about system performance and the need for memory upgrades. Microsoft has introduced the PC Manager application with a "Boost" option to help free up memory. High memory usage can be normal when Windows 11 caches files, but excessive consumption by poorly optimized applications may indicate a resource issue. The impact of memory usage varies by system; for example, 90 percent usage may be acceptable on a system with 96GB of RAM, while it could be problematic on an 8GB system. Context matters, as high memory usage on high-end machines often represents normal caching, whereas it may signal struggles on lower-end systems. The PC Manager's Boost feature can be useful before resource-intensive tasks but may reinforce misconceptions about high memory usage being inherently negative. Ultimately, performance issues, rather than memory percentage alone, should guide decisions about upgrading RAM.

AppWizard

June 19, 2026

4 security upgrades in Android 17 you didn’t know about, but will be glad to have

Google's Android 17 update is being deployed to Pixel devices, introducing new features such as multitasking bubbles, expanded dark theme controls, and a revamped screen recording interface. Key user preferences from a poll indicate that 32% favor multitasking app bubbles, while other features received varying levels of support. The update includes App Memory Limits to prevent excessive RAM usage by apps, enhancing performance. It also restricts apps from scanning local networks without explicit permission, improving user privacy. Additionally, Android 17 tightens restrictions on dynamic code loading to strengthen malware protection and implements Certificate Transparency protections by default for secure HTTPS connections. Overall, these changes aim to enhance performance, security, and user experience.

Tech Optimizer

June 18, 2026

Announcing Lakebase Search: agent-native retrieval built into Lakebase Postgres

Lakebase Search is a hybrid vector and full-text retrieval system integrated into Lakebase, now in beta on AWS and Azure. It utilizes two Postgres extensions: lakebase_vector and lakebase_text, allowing agents to operate on a single data backend. Agents manage four times more databases than human users and require real-time access to indexed data. The system features a tiered architecture that stores cold data in cost-effective object storage while keeping active data in local NVMe, significantly reducing costs. The lakebase_vector extension offers 32x compression for vectors, allowing a billion vectors to fit into under 10GB of RAM. The lakebase_text extension provides BM25 relevance ranking without high RAM usage. Benchmarking shows that Lakebase Search can efficiently handle large-scale workloads, achieving high recall and low latency with reduced resource requirements compared to traditional architectures. The system allows for continuous search experimentation and dedicated retrieval engines for each agent, enhancing operational efficiency and scalability.

AppWizard

June 17, 2026

Google releases Android 17 update with foldable improvements, app bubbles, and more

Google has released the stable version of Android 17 for all supported Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6 series, Pixel Fold, and Pixel Tablet. Key features include: - App Bubbles for multitasking, allowing users to launch apps in floating windows. - Enhanced Picture-in-Picture mode for full interactivity in desktop environments. - Encouragement for developers to optimize apps for various screen orientations and sizes. - Implementation of app memory limits to improve performance and battery life. - A 50:50 split-screen mode for gaming on foldable phones and native controller remapping. - The Continue On feature for seamless task transitions between devices. - Improved privacy features, including temporary access to location data and a Mark As Lost feature. - Support for Eclipsa Video HDR format and enhanced audio quality through the Extended HE-AAC encoder. - Introduction of the RAW14 image format for better camera capabilities. - Enhanced support for Bluetooth Low Energy Audio, particularly for hearing aids.

AppWizard

June 17, 2026

Android 17 launched for Pixel smartphones: Key features and what is new in Google’s latest software

Google has rolled out Android 17, with Pixel smartphones being the first to receive the update, while other eligible devices will gain access throughout 2026. The update emphasizes productivity, entertainment, and enhanced security. Key features include: - A revamped “Bubbles” feature for multitasking, allowing apps to be transformed into floating windows. - A dedicated “bubble bar” for larger devices to switch between apps easily. - An upgraded screen recording functionality with a “Screen Reactions” feature that captures video from the front-facing camera. - A “foldable gaming mode” optimizing performance for foldable phones, featuring a 50/50 split view for games and a dynamic gamepad. - Native controller remapping for external controllers and improved system memory cleanup to reduce frame drops during gaming. - A new “Mark as lost” feature in Find Hub for locking missing phones with biometric authentication. - Targeted privacy options for temporary app access to location and contacts. - Enhanced security features including limited PIN guesses and upgraded Live Threat Detection. - A built-in home screen setting to hide app names, dedicated volume controls for virtual assistants, expanded dark theme customization, and extended Parental Controls. - Strict app memory limits to enhance speed and battery life.

Winsage

June 13, 2026

WhatsApp is eating 1.2GB RAM on Windows 11, even as Microsoft kills web app slop

WhatsApp for Windows, despite having a large user base of 3 billion globally and 1.6 billion on Windows, suffers from significant performance issues, including high RAM usage (400 MB before logging in and up to 1.2 GB while idling), slow message delivery, and a choppy scrolling experience. The app operates as a web wrapper using the WebView2 framework, which leads to inefficient resource consumption compared to native applications. Users across various hardware configurations report freezing, delayed messages, and instability. Microsoft’s Teams app also faces similar performance challenges due to its reliance on the same framework. There is a growing concern about the trend of developers opting for web applications over native ones, driven by a lack of trust in native frameworks. Despite Microsoft's push for native app development through WinUI, there is currently no native version of WhatsApp for Windows, while Meta has developed optimized versions for other platforms.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Google’s got a quick Android 17 Beta 4.1 rolling out to address issues before launch

Google has rolled out Android 17 Beta 4.1, focusing on issues related to hearing aids and the status bar. The update is available for devices from Pixel 6 to Pixel 10 and the Pixel Tablet, with two firmware numbers for different models. The beta aims to resolve issues before the official Android 17 launch, expected in mid-2026. Key features include app memory limits to reduce RAM usage and improvements in performance and battery life. Google is also testing the first quarterly patch release for Android 17, following Beta 3, which focused on bug fixes and interface enhancements.

Winsage

May 22, 2026

Microsoft’s PowerToys is getting a low memory mode that kills idle utilities hogging Windows 11 RAM

Microsoft PowerToys is introducing a new optional low memory mode to address significant memory usage from inactive background processes. This feature, developed by an independent contributor, will close the helper process of specific utilities when not in use, allowing users to relaunch them with a hotkey, albeit with a slightly slower initial launch. The initial rollout will support four tools: Text Extractor, Color Picker, Advanced Paste, and Peek. A shared settings map and helper APIs have been introduced to facilitate this feature, which was renamed to “Close apps when inactive” during the code review process. Users can enable this memory-saving behavior globally or for specific applications, with each supported module featuring a toggle on its settings page. The feature is not yet available in PowerToys, and the default behavior will keep background processes running until users opt into the new feature. The code has passed initial validation checks and is awaiting final confirmation before public release.

Winsage

May 17, 2026

Microsoft: Windows 11 to Be Faster Than Ever

Microsoft is enhancing the performance of Windows 11 with a focus on speed and efficiency. Key improvements include: - Accelerated app launch times, minimized system lag, enhanced memory and CPU efficiency, and smoother user interface interactions. - Introduction of the Low Latency Profile, which temporarily elevates CPU speed during intensive tasks to improve responsiveness. - Refinements to the WinUI 3 framework for quicker UI rendering and reduced system resource calls. - Enhancements to File Explorer for faster startup, decreased lag, and smoother file operations. - Reduction of RAM usage when idle, increasing memory availability and multitasking capabilities. - Transition towards more native Windows apps instead of web-based components for faster loading and a consistent user experience. - Improvements in system reliability with fewer driver issues, better update management, and reduced system crashes. These updates are expected to roll out gradually through 2026.

Winsage

May 11, 2026

My Windows 11 PC now has the iconic Windows XP taskbar, and it’s weirdly perfect

An enthusiast with a gaming PC featuring an RTX 4070 Ti and 32GB of DDR5 RAM integrated a Windows XP taskbar into their Windows 11 setup using Windhawk, a customization tool. After installing Windhawk, they selected the "WinXP" theme from the "Windows 11 Taskbar Styler" mod, transforming the taskbar into a nostalgic XP version without compromising functionality. Core features like notifications and pinned applications remained intact, and the system tray adopted the XP theme. The user also explored various other mods, including real-time CPU and RAM usage display, a middle-click application close feature, and a volume control center on the taskbar, enhancing their personalized computing experience.