Startup apps

Winsage
March 19, 2025
- Windows 11 users can enhance their experience and security by mastering essential skills such as managing updates, securing online presence, and utilizing system settings. - To protect accounts and sensitive information online, users should consider using a password manager, passkeys, and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on accounts. - A VPN with end-to-end encryption can enhance online security, and users should familiarize themselves with their web browser's security settings. - Windows 11 updates are released on the first Tuesday of each month, with a major feature update annually; users can prevent auto-restarts and pause updates for up to five weeks. - The Settings app in Windows 11 has replaced much of the Control Panel for managing system settings, and users should explore it thoroughly. - OneDrive is integrated into Windows 11 for backing up, restoring, and sharing files, and users can create encrypted folders and use Files-on-Demand. - Regularly reviewing and uninstalling unnecessary applications can help maintain PC performance, and users can manage default applications and disable startup apps via Task Manager. - Accessing the BIOS/UEFI allows for updates, security adjustments, and hardware configuration changes, typically done by pressing keys like Esc, F2, or F8 during boot.
Winsage
February 20, 2025
SysInternals is a suite of 74 utilities from Microsoft designed to enhance the performance and reliability of Windows PCs. Users can download the entire suite or select individual tools from the Microsoft SysInternals Learn page. 1. AutoRuns: Identifies unnecessary background processes and obsolete registry entries, providing detailed information about each entry. It allows users to review installed drivers and spot potentially harmful entries. Launched via Start menu or by typing Autoruns.exe in the Run dialog. 2. TCPView: Monitors all TCP and UDP connections in real-time, categorizing them by version and displaying ports and connection timestamps. It helps identify bandwidth-hogging processes. Launched via Start menu or by typing tcpview.exe in the Run dialog. 3. RamMap: Provides an in-depth analysis of memory consumption across processes, helping identify memory-hogging applications and diagnose memory leaks. It offers options to clear memory, including emptying working sets, standby lists, and modified lists. Launched via Start menu or by typing rammap.exe in the Run dialog. 4. DiskView: Offers detailed insights into hard drive usage with a color-coded map of disk sectors, helping users identify fragmentation and unused space. Launched via Start menu or by typing diskview.exe in the Run dialog. 5. CacheSet: Optimizes the Windows file system cache by allowing users to adjust cached data management settings and clear the cache with a single click. Launched by typing cacheset.exe in the Run dialog. The SysInternals Suite is cost-free, effective, and compatible with Windows Recovery mode, making it a practical choice for users looking to enhance their PC's performance.
Winsage
February 16, 2025
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
Windows can exhibit sluggishness during boot times, which can be improved without hardware upgrades or reinstallation. 1. Disable unnecessary startup programs using Task Manager to enhance boot times. 2. Adjust the Fast Startup feature in Control Panel, as it can sometimes hinder performance. 3. Reduce the operating system selection timeout in System Properties to streamline booting for users with multiple operating systems. 4. Uninstall unneeded applications to free up resources. 5. Ensure sufficient free space on your SSD, as full SSDs can degrade performance.
Winsage
December 25, 2024
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
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
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 5, 2024
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.
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