Task Manager Archives

Tech Optimizer

February 26, 2026

Avast Antivirus Just Got Smarter: Is It Finally Worth Your Money?

Avast Antivirus has introduced advanced AI tools, enhanced browser protection, and new privacy features in the U.S. market. It offers real-time malware protection, phishing shields, and Wi-Fi scanning. Avast's product lineup includes a free version, a premium security plan, and Avast One, catering to different user needs. Independent lab tests show Avast ranks highly in malware blocking, competing with brands like Bitdefender and Kaspersky. However, users should be cautious of upselling practices and data collection concerns. The free version provides strong protection, while paid plans offer additional features like VPN and advanced ransomware protection. Avast is accessible on various platforms, and pricing fluctuates due to promotions. Users are advised to assess their needs and be mindful of renewal rates before subscribing.

Winsage

February 26, 2026

Windows Update KB5077241 February 2026 Issues Nvidia GPU Bugs Task Manager Errors and ViVeTool Guide

Windows Update KB5077241, released in February 2026, is a 4.5GB feature update for the 24H2 and 25H2 versions. It poses significant performance risks for older hardware, particularly laptops and desktops without a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Users with outdated Nvidia graphics cards, specifically the 900 Series (Maxwell) and 1000 Series (Pascal), report issues such as game stuttering, screen flickering, and system boot failures. The update also contains a flaw that inaccurately displays CPU usage in Task Manager, showing 0% utilization even under load. Many users face installation issues, encountering Error 0x800F0983, requiring them to delete update cache files and run repair tools. The update introduces features like a Taskbar Speed Test, Sysmon Security, improved Sleep/Wake functionality, and WebP wallpaper support, but many remain locked. Users can enable these features using ViVeTool with specific commands. Overall, the update is advised against for those with older Nvidia GPUs due to potential conflicts and performance issues.

Winsage

February 24, 2026

How to Disable Copilot in Windows 11 — Uninstall, Hide, and Stop It from Coming Back

Microsoft has integrated its AI assistant, Copilot, into various parts of Windows 11, including the taskbar, Edge, and Notepad. Users have expressed a desire to remove Copilot, leading to the creation of a guide detailing methods to disable it. Copilot can be uninstalled through Settings, but additional steps are required to remove it from Edge, Notepad, and Windows Search. Users can also prevent Copilot from reinstalling after updates by adjusting registry settings. The Copilot app is categorized as a standalone application in Windows 11 24H2, making it easier to uninstall compared to previous versions. Methods to disable Copilot include: 1. Uninstalling the app via Settings. 2. Hiding the icon from the taskbar. 3. Using Group Policy Editor (limited to Pro, Enterprise, Education). 4. Removing Copilot for all users using PowerShell. 5. Adjusting settings in Edge and Notepad to disable Copilot features. 6. Editing the registry to remove Copilot from Windows Search and Paint. 7. Remapping the physical Copilot key on newer laptops. 8. Disabling silent reinstallation of Copilot through registry edits. Disabling Copilot will not affect core Windows functionality but will remove AI-specific features such as the chatbot and writing assistance.

Winsage

February 21, 2026

Creator of Window’s Task Manager shows off ‘probably what Task Manager would look like if I were still around’ — Tempest AI’s retro-futuristic dashboard code shared to Github

Dave Plummer is developing a dashboard for an AI to play the Atari game Tempest and has shared it on X and GitHub. The reimagined Task Manager features a retro-futuristic design with RGB accents and speedometer-style dials, differing from the minimalist Windows 11 Task Manager. Users have reported issues with recent Windows updates, including problems with the Windows Recovery Environment and BitLocker. The dashboard is not meant for regular use and consumes about 75% of the GPU at 30 frames per second on Plummer's M2 Mac Pro. Plummer's work on the Task Manager began in his leisure time and led to its integration into Windows NT, with significant features introduced in Windows 2000. Microsoft updated the Task Manager in May 2024 to change RAM speed measurements and redesigned it for Windows 11 in 2022.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Some users are claiming Discord’s default process priorities are causing performance problems in esports games, so I’ve tested it myself to see what’s going on

Some users have raised concerns that Discord's default process priorities may be too high, potentially hindering gaming performance by consuming excessive CPU resources and leading to lower frame rates in games like Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant. A test on a Ryzen 9 9900X rig with an RTX 5090 showed that while frame times were marginally higher with Discord active, the differences were minimal—often just a millisecond or two. For casual gamers, these variations are unlikely to affect the overall experience. Adjusting Discord's priority to Normal in Task Manager may help free up CPU resources for gaming, though Discord is generally light on processor demand. Users are advised against setting game priorities to High or Real Time, as this can cause instability without real performance benefits.

Winsage

February 19, 2026

Ex-Microsoft engineer says this is what Windows’ Task Manager would “probably” look like today — but it’s a “good thing” he stuck to his OS design lane

Dave W. Plummer, a former Microsoft employee, contributed to the Windows ecosystem, notably with the Task Manager, Calculator, and a classic pinball game. He left Microsoft in 2003 and recently expressed on Reddit that "there should be nothing that TaskMgr can't kill." Plummer shared a concept design for a modern Task Manager on his X account, inspired by his Tempest AI project, featuring a cyberpunk theme, various graphs, speedometer-style gauges, and music with a synthwave vibe. He selected Tempest for his AI project due to its challenging gameplay and holds the world record for it. The project utilizes about 75% of the GPU at 30 frames per second on his M2 Mac Pro.

Winsage

February 18, 2026

Releasing Windows 11 Builds 26100.7918 and 26200.7918 to the Release Preview Channel

Windows 11 Builds 26100.7918 and 26200.7918 (KB5077241) have been released for Insiders in the Release Preview Channel, covering versions 24H2 and 25H2. The update features a gradual rollout method for updates and includes various new features and enhancements: - Emoji 16.0 introduces a selection of new emojis. - Windows Backup for Organizations now includes a first sign-in restore experience. - Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) is activated for non-domain joined Windows Professional devices. - A built-in network speed test is accessible from the taskbar. - Taskbar improvements enhance the visual experience of the overflow area. - A new entry point in the account menu directs users to the Microsoft account benefits page. - Windows supports Microsoft Entra ID group and role SID resolution. - Users can control pan and tilt for supported cameras in the Settings app. - Sysmon functionality is now included natively in Windows for capturing system events. - Widget Settings now opens as a full-page experience in the Widgets app. - Users can set .webp image files as their desktop background. - The search process icon in Task Manager has been updated. - Storage Settings dialogs have been modernized, and performance for scanning temporary files has improved. - Enhancements have been made to Windows Update Settings for better responsiveness. - Reliability improvements have been implemented for the login screen and Nearby Sharing. - The Windows print service has been optimized for smoother performance during high-volume tasks. - File Explorer has received several improvements, including an extract all option for non-ZIP archive folders and enhanced reliability for displaying devices on the Network page. - Performance enhancements have been made to reduce resume-from-sleep time on heavily loaded systems. - Minor visual issues related to the taskbar, Windows Security pop-up credential fields, and the print dialog have been addressed.

Winsage

February 17, 2026

I’m stuck with Windows for gaming in 2026, but here’s how I’m optimizing it

In early 2026, Windows 11 posed challenges for users, leading to multiple reinstallations. To optimize gaming performance, users can create a restore point, activate Game Mode, adjust power settings to High Performance or Ultimate Performance, enable "Optimizations for windowed games," and activate Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling. Managing startup apps through Windows Settings or Task Manager, disabling the Virtual Machine Platform and Hyper-V, and using the Win11Debloat PowerShell script can improve system performance. Adjustments in the NVIDIA Control Panel, such as setting the Shader Cache Size to 10 GB and Power management mode to "Prefer maximum performance," enhance gaming experience. Registry edits like changing Scheduling Category to High and modifying NetworkThrottlingIndex can further optimize performance.

Winsage

February 17, 2026

How to Uninstall and Reinstall Chrome on Windows 11 Using Winget CMD

Google Chrome can experience performance issues on Windows due to corrupted profiles, extension conflicts, broken updates, and crashes. A complete uninstall and reinstall often resolves these issues, and the Windows Package Manager (Winget) provides a command-line method for this process. To uninstall Chrome using Winget, open Terminal as an administrator and run the command PLACEHOLDER7836d906c03bd8f1. After uninstallation, verify it with PLACEHOLDER30cf24d62406b8ee, then reinstall using PLACEHOLDER76e40aae6965d719. For a clean reinstall, delete the leftover user data folder at PLACEHOLDER142352b706501488. Commands: - Check installed version: winget list Google.Chrome - Uninstall Chrome: winget uninstall Google.Chrome - Verify removal: winget list Google.Chrome - Reinstall Chrome: winget install Google.Chrome - Silent install: winget install Google.Chrome --silent - Delete leftover data: rmdir /s /q "%LocalAppData%GoogleChrome" Before executing commands, ensure Winget is available and updated, and that you have administrator privileges. Backup data by enabling Chrome Sync. Close Chrome completely before uninstalling to avoid process interference. A clean reinstall involves deleting the Chrome user data folder, which removes bookmarks, passwords, and other stored data. Winget is faster and more suitable for scripting and remote management compared to traditional uninstall methods through the Settings app or Control Panel. Common troubleshooting for Winget includes handling errors related to package recognition, installation blocks, and access issues. If uninstalling fails, terminate any running Chrome processes and retry the command. If unsuccessful, use the Settings app for removal and then Winget for reinstallation.

Tech Optimizer

February 16, 2026

How to Uninstall McAfee on Windows 11 (3 Methods Including winget)

To uninstall McAfee on Windows 11, go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps, find McAfee, and select Uninstall. Alternatively, use the command winget uninstall --id "McAfee.TotalProtection" in an elevated terminal. After uninstalling, run McAfee’s MCPR removal tool to remove any leftover files and registry entries. Windows Security (Defender) will automatically activate after McAfee is removed. McAfee is often preinstalled on Windows 11 laptops by manufacturers like Dell, HP, Lenovo, and ASUS. It is recommended to create a system restore point before uninstalling and ensure you have administrative rights. After uninstalling, check for any remaining McAfee entries in installed apps, running services, Task Manager processes, leftover folders, and scheduled tasks. If issues arise during uninstallation, booting into Safe Mode or using the MCPR tool can help. Windows Security is a built-in antivirus that activates automatically after McAfee removal, providing protection.