RAM Archives

Winsage

June 26, 2026

Microsoft gives Windows 10 users a reprieve by extending security updates another year

Microsoft has extended the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10 personal computers until October 12, 2027. This extension was noted in a revised support document and aims to give users more time to transition to Windows 11 while still receiving security updates. The ESU program, launched in June 2025, was initially set to conclude in October 2026. Currently, Windows 10 powers approximately 26% of desktop Windows PCs globally, with around 1 billion PCs still running it, according to Dell COO Jeffrey Clarke.

Winsage

June 26, 2026

Microsoft extends extended updates for Windows 10 in the most muted way imaginable

Microsoft has extended its offer of extended security updates for consumer users of Windows 10 until October 12, 2027, following the official end of support for the operating system on October 14, 2025. Users can acquire an extra year of patches for a modest fee, while business users have the option for an additional three years of support until 2028. Approximately 30 percent of HP's customers and 26 percent of all Windows users are still operating on Windows 10, which translates to hundreds of millions of PCs globally. The minimum requirements for running Windows 11 include a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage.

Winsage

June 26, 2026

Your Windows 10 PC just quietly got another year of free support

Microsoft has extended the security updates for Windows 10 users by an additional year, with the new end date for the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program set for October 12, 2027. This extension applies automatically to existing ESU enrollees, and new users can sign up until the deadline. The change was confirmed by a Microsoft spokesperson in an editor's note added to a blog post. The extension does not apply to corporate Windows deployments, which require costly ESU subscriptions that extend support until October 2028.

AppWizard

June 25, 2026

PC price rises to slow this year, says Asus, though not in time for the Steam Machine launch

Asus's Systems Business General Manager, Liao Yi-hsiang, indicated that while some price adjustments for Asus PC products are expected, they will likely be modest, falling within the 1-9% range. This comes in light of a recent decline in component prices, including memory and hard drives. Yi-hsiang noted that any price increases must consider consumer acceptance to avoid exceeding market tolerance. The adjustments are anticipated in the third quarter, coinciding with the peak tech sales season in Fall and Winter. Overall, there is a growing consensus that the market is stabilizing around current pricing structures, although significant price drops, particularly for products like the Steam Deck, are unlikely in the near term.

Winsage

June 25, 2026

Microsoft admits 8GB RAM is fine for Windows 11, after years of pushing 16GB as the baseline

Microsoft has revised its Surface buying guide, now recommending 8GB of RAM for everyday tasks, while stating that 16GB or more is necessary for fully utilizing Copilot+ PC features. Previously, Microsoft had advocated for 16GB as the minimum for a satisfactory Windows 11 experience. Earlier this year, Microsoft suggested 32GB of RAM for serious gamers but retracted this recommendation due to backlash over costs. The introduction of Apple's MacBook Neo with 8GB of RAM at an attractive price has influenced Microsoft's stance, leading to the launch of Surface devices with 8GB of RAM. The buying guide promotes 8GB for everyday tasks, while an AI store assistant suggests 16GB for a "future-proof" laptop. Historically, Windows 10 had a minimum RAM requirement of 2GB, with 4GB recommended for optimal performance, but Windows 11 has increased these requirements. Microsoft's investments in AI infrastructure have contributed to a RAM shortage. The Copilot+ PC branding aimed for a new hardware tier but has not met expectations. The introduction of the MacBook Neo has prompted reactions from PC manufacturers, and concerns exist about the optimization of Windows 11 on ARM architecture.

AppWizard

June 23, 2026

The Steam Machine’s price has finally been revealed, and it’s not cheap

Valve has announced the pricing for its Steam Machine, with the entry-level 512GB model priced at ,049 without a controller. There are four configurations available: - 512GB model without a controller - ,049 / £879 - 512GB model with a Steam Controller - ,128 / £938 - 2TB model without a controller - ,349 / £1,149 - 2TB model with a Steam Controller - ,428 / £1,208 The pricing reflects recent market trends, including a 40% price increase for the Steam Deck. The specifications for the 512GB model include a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 CPU, semi-custom AMD RDNA3 GPU, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD, and support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Registration for interest in the Steam Machine is open until June 25th at 10 AM PT.

Winsage

June 22, 2026

Windows 11 26H2 arrives as a tiny unlock, not a massive download

Microsoft has confirmed the release of Windows 11 26H2, scheduled for Fall 2026. This update focuses on improving the update experience for businesses and IT professionals by streamlining maintenance processes. Windows 11 26H2 will be delivered as an enablement package, activating pre-existing code on eligible devices, ensuring a swift installation with minimal disruption. It will unlock features from earlier versions, specifically Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2, allowing a seamless transition with minimal operational downtime. The update is currently available to Windows Insiders and emphasizes a predictable, low-disruption experience for IT departments. Key advantages include a streamlined installation process, minimal user disruption, no need for complete reinstallation, consistent security and quality updates, and uniform compatibility checks. The specific release date has not been announced, but it will arrive in the latter half of 2026. The hardware requirements remain the same as previous versions: a minimum of 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and a 1GHz 64-bit dual-core processor.

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.

Winsage

June 22, 2026

I forced Windows 11’s CPU boost on a 10-year-old PC, and it feels surprisingly new

Windows 11 has introduced the Low Latency Profile to enhance the responsiveness of the Start menu, Search, and Action Center by rapidly increasing CPU frequency during user interactions. Testing on a Lenovo ThinkCentre M700 Mini Desktop with a 6th Generation Intel Core i3-6100 processor showed that the Low Latency Profile could be activated via the June 2026 Patch Tuesday update (KB5094126) and the third-party tool ViVeTool. Initially, no significant CPU frequency spike was observed, but after enabling the feature, the CPU frequency increased from approximately 800MHz to 3.0GHz and then to 3.7GHz almost instantaneously during interactions. This resulted in a marked improvement in the responsiveness of the Start menu and Action Center, with the latter showing the most significant enhancement. The Low Latency Profile effectively improved performance on older systems without adverse effects on battery life or thermal output.

Tech Optimizer

June 22, 2026

Your Mac isn’t immune to viruses & surveillance tools, Intego One is here to help

Intego One is an antivirus solution for Macs that integrates four security tools into one package and is currently offered at a 50% discount. It includes an antivirus feature providing real-time protection, a firewall to prevent unwanted intrusions, and SmartClean for decluttering storage. The Complete Tier adds a VPN for secure browsing. Intego One is compatible with macOS 12 Monterey and later, requiring at least 8GB of RAM and 2GB of storage. It is available in three subscription tiers: Essential, Advanced, and Complete, with varying features and pricing based on the number of devices and plan duration.