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How Five PostgreSQL Optimizations Sped Up Our Dashboard
Tech Optimizer
June 20, 2026

How Five PostgreSQL Optimizations Sped Up Our Dashboard

The dashboard operates on a Django monolith with PostgreSQL and is transitioning to ClickHouse for denormalization. The initial p50 metric was 0.7 seconds, but the p95 was 8 seconds, which was reduced to 1 second. Observability tools were established to monitor performance, and slow HTTP requests were identified using OpenTelemetry traces. Optimization techniques included late joining, asynchronous counting, creating a PostgreSQL replica for read operations, and improving full-text search. Denormalization was explored to enhance filtering performance by creating composite indexes. The production stack was upgraded to PostgreSQL 18, which provided incremental performance improvements. The final p95 value achieved was 1 second, below the target of 3 seconds.
The new Epic Games Launcher might not suck so much thanks to 'ground-up' rebuild with 5–6.5x improved performance—still a long way to catch up with Steam
AppWizard
June 19, 2026

The new Epic Games Launcher might not suck so much thanks to ‘ground-up’ rebuild with 5–6.5x improved performance—still a long way to catch up with Steam

User sentiment towards the Epic Games Store is largely negative, with many gamers recognizing its shortcomings. A significant update is planned that includes a complete redesign of the launcher, promising a five times faster cold start time and a 6.5 times quicker restoration from the system tray. The update will also introduce new features such as personalized game recommendations, quick-access categories, tailored product detail pages, and patch notes on the storefront. Additional enhancements include community forums, player profiles, private messaging, voice chat, game-independent parties, cross-region game gifting, publisher-funded coupons, and a tool for assessing game compatibility.
Windows 11's June Update Added A Cool New Feature That Could Speed Up Your Old PC
Winsage
June 16, 2026

Windows 11’s June Update Added A Cool New Feature That Could Speed Up Your Old PC

Windows 11 users have received a significant update featuring the Low Latency Profile, aimed at enhancing performance by improving responsiveness during actions like launching applications and accessing the Start menu. This feature was initially previewed in May 2026 and is now available in the mainstream branch as of June. It temporarily boosts the CPU's clock speed for 1 to 3 seconds to improve loading times, particularly benefiting users with older hardware. To check for the update, users can navigate to Settings > System > Windows Update for the KB5094126 update. If it’s not listed, it may still be rolling out. Users can also check their build number under Settings > System > About; the update is present if the build number is 26200.8655 (Windows 25H2) or 26100.8655 (Windows 24H2). Manual installation is possible via the Microsoft Update Catalog, and there are no visual cues or toggle settings for the Low Latency Profile.
WhatsApp is eating 1.2GB RAM on Windows 11, even as Microsoft kills web app slop
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.
It's not just you: Microsoft says Windows 11's right-click menu has been quietly slow for years
Winsage
June 7, 2026

It’s not just you: Microsoft says Windows 11’s right-click menu has been quietly slow for years

Windows 11's modern context menu has been criticized for being slower than Windows 10, especially for users with lower-end PCs. Enabling extensions like “Edit with Clipchamp,” “Edit with Notepad,” and “Ask Copilot” can cause delays, leading to misclicks. Microsoft has acknowledged these performance issues and is working on solutions. In March 2026, the company announced plans for a significant update to improve Windows 11, focusing on core functionalities. The right-click context menu has been a key area for improvement, with delays in loading options causing frustration. Microsoft confirmed that these delays are due to late-loading extensions and is testing a streamlined context menu that reduces vertical space by 25% or more. A new nested menu titled “Manage file” has been introduced to organize file-related operations. Additionally, Microsoft is developing a configurable context menu for user personalization, addressing previous customization limitations.
Tested: Windows 11's new Start menu lets you fully customize it, and it works surprisingly well
Winsage
May 30, 2026

Tested: Windows 11’s new Start menu lets you fully customize it, and it works surprisingly well

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Build 26300.8553, featuring a redesigned Start menu that addresses user complaints about customization and performance. The update introduces section-level toggles for managing the visibility of Pinned, Recent, and All sections. The Recommended section has been rebranded as Recent, allowing users to display recently accessed files and customize its visibility. Users can also disable Pinned apps and All apps, leading to a minimalist Start menu. Three size options for the Start menu are available: Automatic, Small, and Medium. The All apps section can be viewed in Grid or List format. Users can hide their name and profile picture from the Start menu. A native Start menu is in development, with plans to use native WinUI 3 frameworks for improved performance. Additionally, a new Low Latency Profile CPU boost is being rolled out to enhance responsiveness.
Microsoft solves case of vanishing Windows 11 desktop — fix is rolling out for blank desktop, taskbar freezes and other flakiness
Winsage
May 23, 2026

Microsoft solves case of vanishing Windows 11 desktop — fix is rolling out for blank desktop, taskbar freezes and other flakiness

Windows 11 has been experiencing interface issues, including a freezing taskbar, unresponsive File Explorer, and blank desktops, which Microsoft has categorized as 'general reliability' issues. To address these concerns, Microsoft is rolling out the May update for Windows 11, which began distribution last week. This update aims to enhance the reliability of components like explorer.exe, taskbar menus, and Task View interactions. Users may experience improvements in performance, particularly during sign-in processes and when managing items in File Explorer's Quick Access. The update is also being tested for the upcoming 26H1 version for Arm-based Snapdragon devices. Despite the positive changes, some users remain cautious about potential new glitches.
Microsoft says Windows 11's explorer.exe has been unstable across taskbar, sign-in, and Task View, rolls out fix
Winsage
May 22, 2026

Microsoft says Windows 11’s explorer.exe has been unstable across taskbar, sign-in, and Task View, rolls out fix

Many users have experienced taskbar freezes and blank desktops upon startup in Windows 11. Microsoft has acknowledged these issues and released the Windows 11 KB5089549 (May 2026 Update) on May 12, which addresses these concerns. The update installs Build 26200.8457 and aims to enhance the reliability of explorer.exe, particularly during sign-in and interactions with taskbar menus and Task View. Users can now reposition the taskbar and adjust its size, with plans for a customizable Start menu. The update improves the performance of launching startup apps, aiming to prevent them from competing for system resources. Additionally, Microsoft is optimizing the system tray for quicker access and enhancing Windows Hello functionality.
Microsoft is boosting the launch time of key Windows apps and features
Winsage
May 11, 2026

Microsoft is boosting the launch time of key Windows apps and features

Microsoft is piloting a new feature in Windows 11 called the Low Latency Profile, which aims to improve user experience by enhancing the speed and responsiveness of the operating system. This feature, available in the latest Insider builds, can make applications like Edge and Outlook launch up to 40% faster and improve the Start menu and context menus by up to 70%. The Low Latency Profile works by temporarily boosting CPU frequency during specific actions, such as launching apps or opening menus, for brief intervals of one to three seconds. It operates automatically in the background without a manual toggle option for users, with minimal impact on battery life and heat generation. While the feature is generally viewed positively, some users have criticized it, suggesting such enhancements should be standard in Windows 11.
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