resource consumption Archives

Winsage

December 2, 2025

5 reasons your PC can feel slow after a Windows update, and how to fix each one

Large Windows updates involve reconfiguring system files, installing components, updating drivers, and initiating post-update tasks, which can temporarily slow down performance, especially on older hardware. The Windows Module Installer (TiWorker.exe) finalizes updates and may trigger cleanup and maintenance tasks, consuming CPU and disk resources. Outdated or incompatible drivers can hinder performance, leading to sluggish boot times and reduced gaming frame rates. The indexing feature may intensify after a major update, increasing CPU and disk usage. Major updates can reset user-defined settings and reintroduce background processes and applications, causing additional resource consumption. Cumulative updates may lead to performance issues due to memory leaks or driver conflicts, and Microsoft provides a "Windows release health" dashboard for tracking known issues. Slowdowns after updates are typically temporary, lasting from a few minutes to several hours, but persistent issues may require further investigation.

Winsage

November 29, 2025

This free program is all I need to make my Windows desktop perfect

Microsoft removed widget support after Windows 7, leading to nostalgia for native desktop widgets. Windows 11 reintroduced widgets, but the implementation was limited and cluttered. Widget Launcher allows users to add and pin customizable widgets directly to their desktops, offering a user-friendly interface and easy installation from the Microsoft Store. It features two skins (light and dark), customizable color settings, and retains data without crashes. The app runs automatically at boot, maintaining desktop layout and settings, and has low resource consumption, rarely exceeding 100 MB of memory usage. The default widget collection includes practical options like a Notes widget, RSS feed widget, and world clock widget, with a free tier that meets most users' needs and a paid tier for additional designs.

Winsage

November 29, 2025

Microsoft Teams Update Will Soon Fix Its Biggest Windows Problem

Microsoft is implementing a solution to address performance issues in Microsoft Teams on Windows, specifically targeting crashes and slowdowns. A new background process, ms-teams_modulehost.exe, will be added to the desktop version of Teams to manage call-related functions separately from the main application. This change aims to reduce system strain, decrease crash rates during meetings, and improve startup times. The strategy builds on the existing architecture of Teams, which uses WebView2, and seeks to offload complex features to enhance performance. Users have reported frequent freezes, delays, and high RAM usage with Teams. While this modular approach is intended to provide immediate improvements, some experts suggest that a complete redesign as a native Windows application would be a more effective long-term solution.

Tech Optimizer

November 29, 2025

5 Essential Security Apps That Actually Protect Your Computer

Browsing without essential utilities like VPNs and antivirus software can be risky. Not all security applications are equally effective; some, like Bitdefender and ESET, offer superior performance, while others may overwhelm users with alerts or upsell subscriptions. Effective security applications prioritize functionality and provide tools such as firewalls, password managers, VPNs, and virus scans. ESET is recognized for its robust protection against sophisticated cyber threats and is suitable for advanced users, small businesses, and remote workers, earning the 2025 Editor's Choice Award for Best Antivirus for Advanced Users. Avira is a budget-friendly option with a free version that offers essential malware protection and an ad-blocker, named the best antivirus for ad-blocking in 2025 by Techradar. Surfshark, primarily a VPN service, offers antivirus protection and breach alerts through its Surfshark One subscription, recognized as the 2025 Best Value Antivirus. AVG provides comprehensive security features with a lightweight presence and was awarded the 2025 Editor's Choice for Best Performance and Speed Antivirus. Bitdefender is consistently ranked among the top choices for comprehensive protection, recognized as the best overall antivirus of 2025 by multiple publications, offering various paid packages and an Autopilot function. The applications mentioned were selected based on positive endorsements from reputable tech and security publications.

Tech Optimizer

November 24, 2025

Ditching Antivirus: Why One Tech Writer’s PC Got Safer Without It

A writer from MakeUseOf uninstalled all third-party antivirus programs from his Windows PC and found that the system performed better and appeared more secure with Microsoft’s built-in Windows Defender. The experiment highlighted Defender's effectiveness, showing fewer false positives, improved performance, and no noticeable decline in protection. Independent tests ranked Defender highly in real-world protection, and it achieved perfect scores in recent AV-TEST evaluations. The removal of third-party antivirus software led to a significant decrease in CPU and RAM usage, with idle consumption dropping from 15-20% to under 5%. Despite 121 million Americans still using third-party tools, there is growing consideration for Defender due to its free and efficient nature. While Defender excels in many areas, experts caution that it may not fully protect against zero-day vulnerabilities, and layered defenses are still recommended. The antivirus market may face disruption as integrated protection becomes more common, and user feedback indicates a preference for free alternatives that match or exceed the performance of paid solutions.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

Bad battery life? Google will name-and-shame Android apps that drain your phone faster than expected

Google is overhauling the Google Play Store to address Android apps that excessively drain device batteries. New regulations require developers to minimize unnecessary background activities and adhere to stricter guidelines on how often their apps can wake devices or access system resources. Non-compliant apps will receive warnings on their Play Store listings, and their visibility may be reduced. A new measurement system, developed with Samsung, tracks "excessive partial wake locks," which monitor how long apps keep devices awake while the screen is off. If an app exceeds a threshold of 5% of total user sessions with excessive wake locks over a 28-day period, it will trigger notifications on the developers' dashboard. Developers must rectify these issues by March 1, 2026, to keep their apps on the Play Store. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance transparency regarding app resource utilization and improve battery performance across Android devices.

AppWizard

November 16, 2025

Google to flag Android apps with excessive battery use on the Play Store

Google is implementing measures to enhance battery performance on Android devices by monitoring apps in the Google Play Store for high background activity and excessive battery drain. Applications that exceed a defined "bad behavior threshold" may be flagged, affecting their visibility. Developers must adapt their apps to a new metric called "excessive partial wake locks" by March 1, 2026. This metric tracks the duration apps maintain background activity while the screen is off and will measure non-exempt wake locks over a 28-day period. An app is considered excessive if it accumulates over two hours of non-exempt wake locks in a 24-hour period, with the threshold set at 5% of user sessions. Developers exceeding this threshold will be notified. The initiative aims to improve user experience by addressing excessive resource consumption, though it is not specifically targeting malware.

Tech Optimizer

October 30, 2025

5 popular programs that are destroying your PC’s performance

Modern web browsers, including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox, are known for high RAM consumption, which can hinder performance, especially for users with multiple tabs. Alternatives like Arc, Vivaldi, Opera GX, or DuckDuckGo may offer lower resource usage. Third-party antivirus software, such as McAfee and Bitdefender, can slow down system performance, while Microsoft Defender provides adequate protection without the bloat. Wallpaper Engine, despite its appeal, can significantly drain resources on older systems, and users may benefit from lighter wallpapers or uninstalling it. SignalRGB, which syncs RGB components, is criticized for high resource consumption, and disabling it can improve performance. First-party vendor software, like Armoury Crate and iCUE, often comes with bloatware that consumes resources, and users can find more efficient alternatives. Identifying and addressing these resource-intensive applications can enhance overall system performance.

Winsage

October 30, 2025

What Windows 10 EOS Means for Security

Microsoft will cease support for most versions of Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, while offering temporary Extended Security Updates (ESU) for version 22H2. Approximately 40% to 45% of Windows users globally still rely on Windows 10. The end of support raises cybersecurity concerns as Microsoft will stop issuing updates for vulnerabilities and bugs. Organizations using Windows 10 need to devise migration plans to Windows 11, but the transition can be costly and time-consuming, especially for those dependent on legacy software. Delaying migration poses risks such as regulatory violations, increased IT burdens, escalating ESU costs, and exposure to cyber threats. Organizations should prioritize migrating critical systems, review application support, and evaluate ongoing costs for legacy systems. Bitdefender offers security solutions for Windows 10 environments, including risk management, application control, cloud security, and monitoring services.

Winsage

October 27, 2025

De-Enshittifing Windows 11 Version 25H2: Tiny11 Builder ⭐

Tiny11 Builder is a PowerShell-based tool designed to create a custom version of the Windows 11 ISO, allowing for a streamlined installation compared to the standard version. It operates as a script but has limitations in customization unless users have technical expertise. Users can reinstall applications excluded from the installation image, but this is not possible with Tiny11coremaker, which removes essential features like Windows Defender and Windows Update. The creator, NTDEV, has improved Tiny11 Builder by disabling telemetry and enhancing the removal process for Microsoft Edge. Tiny11 Builder aims to reduce the installation size and resource consumption of Windows, making it suitable for older PCs. To use Tiny11 Builder, users must download the latest Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft and the Tiny11 Builder ZIP file from GitHub.