Technology

How to save memory in Windows — RAM is expensive; here’s how to maximize the RAM that you already have!

Source

Tom's Hardware

Published

Jan 31, 2026

TL;DR

AI Generated

The article provides tips on maximizing the use of existing RAM in Windows systems due to rising memory costs. It suggests cleaning up startup apps, checking for resource-heavy processes, stopping unnecessary services, scanning for malware, disabling visual effects, and turning off memory-intensive Windows features. By following these steps, users can optimize their system's performance and make the most of their current RAM capacity in the face of inflated memory prices.

Read Full Article

Windows 11 KB5083631 out with Xbox mode, faster performance (direct download links .msu)

Windows 11 KB5083631 introduces Xbox mode for regular PCs, a more reliable File Explorer, faster startup apps, and more. This optional update can be downloaded via Windows Update or through direct download links provided by Microsoft. The update includes early features from Microsoft's Windows K2 project aimed at enhancing Windows 11. Xbox mode brings a console-like gaming experience to Windows 11, optimized for controllers. Additionally, File Explorer improvements ensure consistent folder views across applications.

Windows Latest•

16 hours ago

Talent over tokens: AI models are becoming more expensive to run, and productivity gains are limited — efficient workers might be the solution to strained budgets

As AI models become more expensive to run, with costs exceeding those of actual workers, companies are facing strained budgets. Despite the promise of productivity gains through AI deployment, many firms are not seeing the expected returns. High costs associated with AI usage are leading to budget exhaustion, with examples like Uber spending its annual AI budget in a few weeks. As AI spending continues to rise, companies may need to reconsider their reliance on AI and potentially invest in efficient human workers instead.

Tom's Hardware•

1 day ago

Pirate RPG game is secretly looting your SSD lifespan — new Windrose patch promises smoother sailing and addresses excessive disk writing

The Windrose RPG game has been criticized for excessively writing to SSDs, potentially shortening their lifespan. The game's new patch aims to reduce disk usage significantly, addressing the issue of up to 108GB per hour being written to SSDs. Comparisons with other games like Enshrouded and Valheim show Windrose's disproportionate SSD resource consumption. The game's high storage demand is attributed to its save system design, which has been adjusted in the latest patch to improve write speeds by 60-75%. Players are advised to update to the latest version to mitigate potential SSD wear and tear.

Tom's Hardware•

1 day ago

Microsoft drops Copilot branding in Notepad for Windows 11 for everyone, but it’s really just a rename

Microsoft has removed the Copilot branding from Notepad in Windows 11, renaming it to 'Writing Tools' as part of reducing unnecessary Copilot entry points. Despite the name change, AI integration remains in Notepad, with features like text rewriting and summarization still available. Microsoft is continuing to incorporate AI in Windows 11, with plans to add agents to the taskbar as an optional feature. Meanwhile, the Snipping Tool in Windows 11 has completely dropped AI integration, offering a different approach compared to Notepad.