Task Manager Archives

Winsage

July 23, 2026

14 Easy Fixes to Make Windows 11 Feel Faster

Many Windows 11 PCs experience performance decline over time due to background processes and unnecessary files. To enhance performance without reinstalling Windows, consider the following strategies: 1. Uninstall unnecessary software (bloatware) via the Start menu or Installed Apps section. 2. Limit startup processes using Task Manager to disable rarely used applications. 3. Clean up disk space by enabling Windows' Storage Sense for automatic cleanup. 4. Check for viruses and spyware using Microsoft Defender or dedicated malware removal software. 5. Change power settings to Best Performance in Settings > System > Power & Battery. 6. Identify and fix resource-hogging processes using Task Manager. 7. Keep Windows updated by checking Settings > Windows Update. 8. Run troubleshooting utilities by searching for "troubleshoot" in the Start menu. 9. Use Microsoft PC Manager for a one-click performance optimization. 10. Consider adding more RAM if your device allows it. 11. Install an SSD for faster application launches and improved startup times. 12. Adjust system appearance settings for Best Performance. 13. Ensure adequate cooling to prevent overheating. 14. Turn off search indexing to free up system resources. 15. Disable Windows' Tips and manage notifications to reduce processing demands. 16. Enable Game Mode in Settings > Gaming for optimized gaming performance.

Winsage

July 21, 2026

Windows 11 bloat proves too much for Microsoft’s new 8GB Surface Laptop

Microsoft introduced the Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8, starting at 9, with lower-end specifications including an older Snapdragon chipset and 8GB of RAM. Reviews indicate that while these devices perform adequately for basic tasks, they struggle with more demanding activities, such as video calls on Microsoft Teams, leading to freezing and hanging issues. The device utilized approximately 6.7GB of its available 7.6GB of memory during typical usage, and even a reboot reduced memory consumption to around 4.2GB, which quickly increased with just a few Chrome tabs open. Users have expressed that 8GB of RAM is insufficient for reliable performance, despite Windows 11 having a minimum requirement of 4GB. Historically, Microsoft recommended 16GB of RAM for a seamless experience, but this recommendation has been omitted for the new 8GB devices, which are now described as suitable for everyday use. An additional 8GB is required to access Copilot+ AI features.

Winsage

July 16, 2026

Steam Machine Running Windows With Performance On-Par With SteamOS

Valve has released new Windows drivers for its Steam Machine console, improving user experience. Benchmark results from ETA Prime indicate that after installing Windows 11, the Steam Machine operates smoothly with all hardware components functioning well. The GPU is an AMD Radeon RX 7600, and the machine has been upgraded to 64 GB of memory. In performance comparisons, Windows outperforms SteamOS in the Geekbench 6 multi-thread benchmark by 22%, while single-core results are similar. In Cinebench 2024, the Steam Machine scores 99 points in single-core and 554 points in multi-core, trailing behind Apple's M1 Max and AMD Ryzen 5800X in multi-thread performance. Gaming performance shows a competitive edge between the two operating systems. Windows has a slight advantage in Shadow of the Tomb Raider at 4K and 1080p, while SteamOS leads at 1440p. In Cyberpunk 2077, SteamOS outperforms Windows by 8.8% at 4K and 4.7% at 1440p. At 4K, both struggle, with SteamOS averaging 18 FPS and Windows 20 FPS. In Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, Windows has a 7.1% advantage, while SteamOS is faster at 1440p and Windows leads at 1080p. Running Windows on the Steam Machine is a viable option, supporting Valve's claim that it functions as a standard PC, though there are other factors to consider beyond gaming performance.

Winsage

July 14, 2026

Microsoft Releases July 2026 Patch Tuesday Updates

Microsoft has released the July 2026 Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 11 versions 26H1, 25H2, and 24H2, introducing several key features: - A new recovery feature allows users to revert their PCs to a recent restore point. - The Widgets experience has been revamped to minimize distractions, including no longer opening upon hover and reduced memory usage. - Users can pause Windows updates for up to 35 days and re-pause them as needed. - A new screen tint feature applies a color overlay to reduce eye strain. - Magnifier now offers preset zoom increments and allows specific zoom percentages to be input. - Bluetooth connectivity improvements include quicker pairing for Apple’s AirPods and better reliability for Beats Studio Pro headphones. - Voice access and voice typing features are now available in French, German, and Spanish. - Users can customize the right-click zone size on touchpads with a pressable surface. - The emoji panel now uses GIPHY for GIF content. - Taskbar notification counts and badge visuals will update accurately. For Qualcomm-powered PCs running Windows 11 version 26H1, the KB5101649 update includes the Point-in-time restore feature and introduces new NPU usage metrics in Task Manager, the option to assign a custom user folder name during setup, and allows multiple applications to access the camera stream simultaneously. Improvements have also been made to Windows Hello authentication and Microsoft Store performance, along with enhancements to Windows Search for better file location and prioritization.

Winsage

July 11, 2026

This Windows feature has been eating users’ RAM for years, Microsoft still hasn’t fixed it

Memory leaks have been reported with the Phone Link feature in Windows 11, specifically the Cross Device Service, which is consuming excessive amounts of RAM. Users have noted that this service can use between 15 to 30GB of RAM, leading to significant system slowdowns and reduced internet speeds. Complaints about this issue have been ongoing since early 2023, with users often needing to manually intervene via Task Manager to restore system performance. The Cross Device Service is intended to facilitate features like clipboard sharing and notification syncing but appears to malfunction and enter a loop that increases memory usage. Microsoft has not officially acknowledged the problem, and while generic troubleshooting steps have been suggested, they may not resolve the issue for all users. Disabling the Phone Link feature has been proposed as a potential solution to mitigate memory consumption.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

This 3KB notepad app shows exactly why modern Windows is so bloated

Dave Plummer, known for creating the Windows Task Manager, discusses software bloat in a recent video, highlighting his compact notepad application, Tiny Retro Pad, which is only 2,686 bytes. He notes that while modern applications require higher specifications due to increased complexity, the lack of optimization in code has led to performance degradation. For example, Windows 10 required 1GB of RAM for its 32-bit version, while Windows 11 requires a minimum of 4GB. Plummer emphasizes the importance of efficient coding practices and critiques the tendency of modern software to include unnecessary components, suggesting that prioritizing efficiency could improve user experience on platforms like Windows 11.

Winsage

July 7, 2026

“Not every app needs to bundle the universe”: This tiny notepad app shows why Windows has become so bloated

Dave Plummer created a notepad application called Tiny Retro Pad, which is 2,686 bytes in size, contrasting with larger modern software. The application mimics the original Microsoft Notepad without contemporary features. Plummer emphasizes the importance of working within constraints, recalling a time when developers had to focus on efficiency due to hardware limitations. He utilized existing resources within the Windows ecosystem to maintain the compactness and functionality of Tiny Retro Pad.

Winsage

July 4, 2026

I found a hidden way to limit RAM on Windows 11, and the results were way more surprising than I expected

Windows 11 allows users to limit RAM usage through the System Configuration tool (msconfig) for testing and troubleshooting purposes. Users can specify the maximum memory in megabytes, but there is no simple option to set a fixed amount like "4GB of RAM." Limiting RAM can degrade performance and may cause applications to become sluggish. To limit RAM, users must navigate to the Boot tab in msconfig, check the Maximum memory option, and enter the desired amount. To restore full RAM access, users need to uncheck the Maximum memory option in the same tool. On some modern systems with UEFI firmware and Secure Boot enabled, the Maximum memory setting may not be accessible, and disabling Secure Boot may be necessary to apply the limit. Disabling Secure Boot can reduce security against boot-level malware.

Winsage

July 4, 2026

Ex-Microsoft engineer rebuilds Notepad in 2.5KB using nothing but stuff Windows already had

Dave Plummer, a retired Microsoft engineer, has developed TinyRetroPad, a Notepad-like application that is only 2.5 kilobytes in size. TinyRetroPad includes features such as Open, Save, Find and Replace, printing, font selection, word wrap, and an unsaved changes prompt. It is built on existing Windows components, allowing it to function efficiently without extensive resources. TinyRetroPad is based on Dave’s Tiny Editor and utilizes RICHEDIT50W for text handling. The application's file size increased incrementally with each feature added, with the final size being 2,476 bytes. Crinkler, a compression linker, was used to optimize the executable. TinyRetroPad is still in development, facing issues like high memory consumption and compatibility problems. In contrast, Windows 11's Notepad has become larger and more complex, weighing approximately 352KB and incorporating features that some users find unnecessary. Windows 11 LTSC retains the classic Notepad without modern features, while TinyRetroPad aims to demonstrate the potential for simplicity in application design.

Winsage

July 4, 2026

Ex-Microsoft engineer rebuilds Notepad in 2.5KB using nothing but stuff Windows already had

Dave Plummer, a former Microsoft engineer, is recreating Notepad in 2.5 kilobytes with a project called TinyRetroPad, which includes features like Open, Save, Find and Replace, printing, font selection, word wrap, and unsaved changes prompt. TinyRetroPad leverages existing Windows infrastructure, utilizing built-in resources to function efficiently. It is based on Matt Power’s Dave’s Tiny Editor and operates as a wrapper around RICHEDIT50W. The size of TinyRetroPad increased with each feature added, reaching 2,476 bytes with printing. The project uses Crinkler, a compression linker, to optimize the executable. TinyRetroPad currently lacks a dedicated Releases page and may trigger false positives from antivirus software. Users have reported issues such as excessive memory usage and compatibility problems with older Windows versions. In contrast, the modern Notepad in Windows 11 has grown to approximately 352KB, with a total disk footprint nearing 5MB, leading to user backlash over its complexity. Windows 11 LTSC retains the classic Notepad, while TinyRetroPad aims to demonstrate the potential of leveraging existing OS capabilities rather than adding unnecessary features.