startup applications Archives

Winsage

April 26, 2025

5 great features Windows 8 introduced that it doesn’t get enough credit for

Windows 8 introduced several significant features: 1. The Startup tab in Task Manager simplified managing startup tasks, allowing users to easily view and disable unnecessary applications, improving system performance. 2. The Ribbon UI in File Explorer made a wide range of options accessible, enhancing efficiency in file management tasks like copying, moving, and deleting files. 3. Internet Explorer 10 and 11 improved support for modern web standards and performance, making them competitive options, especially for touch devices. 4. OneDrive integration allowed users to view cloud files directly in File Explorer without downloading them, enhancing convenience and efficiency. 5. Windows 8 provided an intuitive touch experience with a tile-based Start menu and smooth animations, offering a fluid and responsive environment for tablet users.

Tech Optimizer

April 12, 2025

I abandoned third-party antivirus tools, and here’s what I do instead

The author has transitioned from using third-party antivirus solutions to relying on Windows Security, which is built into Windows 10 and 11, due to its effectiveness and lack of cost. They emphasize the importance of keeping Windows Security updated and performing regular virus scans for added peace of mind. Ransomware protection features, such as Controlled Folder Access, are highlighted as essential. The Microsoft PC Manager app is recommended for optimizing system performance and security. The author advocates for good security hygiene, including avoiding suspicious emails and enabling two-factor authentication, as effective practices to maintain security without third-party antivirus software.

Winsage

March 2, 2025

Microsoft now offers a free tool for Windows 10 and 11 users to refresh their PCs

Microsoft has introduced a free, built-in tool called PC Manager for Windows 10 and Windows 11 users, aimed at optimizing system performance without the need for third-party software. After a successful launch in China, PC Manager is now available globally. Key features include: - PC Boost: Automatically clears temporary files, reduces RAM usage, and shuts down unnecessary background processes. Smart Boost identifies and removes files over 1GB. - Deep Cleanup: Targets outdated system files, browser caches, and the recycle bin to free up storage and improve performance. - Startup Management: Allows users to manage and disable unnecessary startup applications to enhance boot speed. - Process Management: Provides an intuitive interface to identify and terminate resource-hogging processes easily. - Large Files Locator: Helps users identify oversized files for better disk space management. PC Manager is currently available in multiple languages and is expected to expand further, with plans for future updates based on user feedback.

Winsage

February 16, 2025

12 Ways To Make Windows 11 Run Faster

Windows is a dominant operating system known for its affordability and software compatibility, but users often face performance issues. To enhance performance on Windows 11, users can: 1. Restart the device weekly and ensure it is up-to-date to resolve bugs and improve security. 2. Disable unnecessary startup applications via Settings > Apps > Startup or Task Manager. 3. Use Task Manager to monitor and terminate resource-hungry applications. 4. Uninstall unnecessary pre-installed software using tools like Revo Uninstaller or Geek Uninstaller. 5. Upgrade hardware by installing an SSD or adding RAM for better performance. 6. Regularly scan for malware using Windows Security to maintain system health. 7. Adjust power settings to "Best Performance" under Settings > System > Power & battery > Power Mode. 8. Free up disk space using built-in tools like Storage Sense or by manually deleting old files. 9. Disable unnecessary visual effects via Settings > Accessibility > Visual Effects or Control Panel. 10. Pause OneDrive or other cloud storage services to reduce resource consumption during intensive tasks. 11. Disable File Explorer search indexing if frequent searches are not needed. 12. Use the system restore feature to revert to a previous state if performance issues persist.

Winsage

December 25, 2024

Five lesser known Task Manager features in Windows 11

Windows 11's Task Manager includes several features that enhance productivity and system management: - Users can generate a live kernel or full crash dump to troubleshoot crashes, which can be analyzed for root cause identification. - Holding the CTRL key pauses the Task Manager updates, allowing users to easily locate processes, while the F5 key refreshes values for real-time updates. - The "Efficiency Mode" can be activated by right-clicking on an app or process to limit CPU usage, reducing power consumption and freeing up resources. - The Startup Apps section provides an overview of applications that launch at boot, allowing users to disable unnecessary ones to improve startup time and system performance. - The App History tab shows resource usage by applications since the last shutdown, helping users identify which apps are consuming significant resources.

Winsage

December 23, 2024

Your Windows 11 PC is acting up? 4 essential settings I always check first

Windows 11 users may experience a decline in performance due to resource-heavy applications, unoptimized settings, or malware. A simple reboot can refresh the RAM and system connections. To enhance performance, users can: 1. Download the latest updates by checking the Windows Update section in Settings and installing any pending patches. Users can revert to a previous version if performance issues arise post-update. 2. Disable startup applications through the Task Manager to prevent them from launching at boot, which can improve system performance. OneDrive syncing can also be paused to reduce slowdowns. 3. Deactivate unused features, such as notifications and Transparency Effects, to free up system resources. 4. Remove malware by installing a robust antivirus program. Windows Security provides basic protection, but alternatives like Bitdefender Total Security or AVG Antivirus may offer more comprehensive security against threats.

Winsage

December 19, 2024

Using Windows 11? Change these 4 settings to keep your PC running smoothly

Windows 11 users may experience a decline in performance due to resource-heavy applications, unoptimized settings, or malware. Restarting the computer can refresh RAM and system connections. To improve performance, users should: 1. Download the latest updates: Check for updates in the Windows Update section of Settings and install any pending updates. Users can also look for optional driver updates and revert to previous versions if performance declines after an update. 2. Disable apps on startup: Manage startup applications through the Task Manager by disabling unnecessary ones, which can improve boot time and performance. Pausing OneDrive syncing may also help. 3. Deactivate unused features: Evaluate and disable unused features, such as notifications and Transparency Effects, to free up system resources. 4. Remove malware: Install a reliable antivirus program for protection against malware. Windows Security provides basic protection, but alternatives like Bitdefender Total Security and AVG Antivirus offer more comprehensive security options.

Winsage

December 14, 2024

4 powerful tools you should use instead of Task Manager on Windows

Task Manager is a key tool for Windows 11 users, but alternatives offer enhanced functionality for process management. Process Lasso provides a comprehensive view of processes, allowing users to adjust priority settings and manage CPU affinity, with features like ProBalance and a dark mode. System Informer features a visually engaging interface with customizable colors, monitors system resource usage, and includes options for locating open windows and terminating inactive processes. Process Explorer, part of Microsoft’s SysInternals suite, offers detailed insights into system resources, supports online lookups for processes, integrates with VirusTotal, and has a user-friendly interface with dark mode. Task Manager DeLuxe allows monitoring of CPU priority and affinity, provides detailed resource usage graphs, includes an Autoruns tab for managing startup applications, and offers features for cleaning process memory and verifying files.

Winsage

December 12, 2024

7 settings to change on your Windows 11 PC to maximize battery life

Windows PCs, particularly newer laptop models, have improved battery performance, but users often experience reduced battery life over time. A three-year-old Windows laptop may drop from six to seven hours of screen time to struggling to reach three hours. Software adjustments can help maximize battery life. 1. Lowering screen brightness to around 30-40% can extend battery life. 2. The Battery Saver option in Windows 11 can be manually enabled to disable power-hungry activities. 3. Reducing display and sleep timeout settings can conserve energy. 4. Disabling unnecessary startup applications can save battery resources. 5. Turning off animation effects can improve battery life, especially on older devices. 6. Shutting down the laptop instead of just closing the lid can prevent unexpected battery drain. 7. Changing the power mode from Balanced to Best power efficiency can significantly extend battery life.

Winsage

December 5, 2024

Alt Tab causes low FPS in games on PC [Fix]

The Alt-Tab keyboard shortcut is widely used for navigating between applications on Windows computers, but gamers have reported a drop in frames per second (FPS) when using it during gameplay. To address low FPS when using Alt-Tab on Windows 10 or 11, users can consider the following solutions: 1. Adjust system settings for best performance by accessing the Settings menu, navigating to System > About, and selecting Adjust for best performance in the Performance section. 2. Disable unnecessary startup apps and the weather widget using Task Manager. 3. Troubleshoot in a Clean Boot state to identify any third-party background services causing the issue. 4. Perform a clean installation of the graphics card driver using the Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) tool. 5. Uninstall any recent Windows updates that may have caused performance issues. 6. Reset the PC to factory default settings while keeping personal files, ensuring to back up important data beforehand. Alt-Tabbing itself is not detrimental, but a lack of smoothness may be due to insufficient RAM, which can be monitored via Task Manager. Closing unnecessary background applications may help improve performance.