Observed Signal · Aug 10, 2026 · Technical Issue · Source: t3n · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Windows 11 Weather App Slows PCs
Tests reported by Windows Latest and summarized by t3n show that the Windows 11 Weather app can consume unusually high system resources — up to about 1.2 GB of RAM and roughly 16.5% CPU even in idle on the tested system. The article attributes the resource usage to the app being implemented as a Web wrapper that loads an MSN Weather web view and spawns multiple subprocesses. By comparison, Apple’s Weather app on macOS used roughly 250 MB RAM idle and much lower CPU in the same tests. Microsoft previously updated the app (summer 2024) and has said it will replace some web apps with native versions, but it is unclear whether the Weather app will be migrated.
A consumer-facing application performance issue limited to a single OS app; low direct impact on broader AdTech/MarTech operations though relevant where webview-wrapped apps deliver ad content.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Windows 11 Weather app was measured using up to 1.2 GB of RAM and about 16.5% CPU on a test system while idle.
- The app groups nine subprocesses under a process named 'Weather' including Renderer and GPU Process.
- The Windows Weather app is implemented as a Web application that loads an MSN Weather web view (essentially a browser window wrapped as an app).
- In the same comparison, Apple’s Weather app on macOS used around 250 MB RAM idle and about 1.3% CPU in idle on a MacBook Air M2.
- The issue was reported by Windows Latest and published on t3n.de on 2026-08-10.
Connected Companies & Entities
“Now there is a new problem, as Windows Latest reports.”
“It began when Microsoft released an update for the application in summer 2024.”
“For comparison, Windows Latest used Apple's Weather app on macOS.”
“Here you will find external content from TargetVideo GmbH that complements our editorial offering on t3n.de.”
“Image credit: Shutterstock/dennizn.”
“Article published on t3n.de (t3n – digital pioneers).”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Windows 11 26H2 Cuts RAM Usage on 8GB PCs
Microsoft's Windows 11 26H2 update brings significant RAM optimizations, benefiting devices with 8GB of RAM. Independent testing by Windows Latest revealed that on an 8GB laptop, RAM usage dropped from over 5GB in version 25H2 to 3.3GB in 26H2. In a clean virtual machine installation, memory usage fell from 4.1GB to between 2.8 and 3.2GB. Microsoft attributes these improvements to enhanced memory management, allowing Windows to retain up to 2GB more active data in memory instead of offloading to slower storage, and to loading widgets only when opened, freeing up to 200MB. These changes are expected to improve performance and responsiveness on lower-spec PCs, though additional undisclosed optimizations may also contribute.
Microsoft to Reduce Windows 11 Memory Usage
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Microsoft's new Outlook app shows notification delays
Microsoft's new Outlook for Windows, a Web-based app that is intended to replace the older 'Outlook Classic', is reporting slower load times and higher resource usage. Tests cited by t3n (via Windows Latest) show the classic native app starts and loads mail in about three seconds, while the new Web variant takes roughly four seconds on cold start and about ten seconds to open a message when launched via a notification. The Web-based client also consumed substantially more RAM (>600 MB) and CPU (~4%) in tests versus Outlook Classic (≈150 MB RAM, <1% CPU). As a workaround, users can avoid clicking the notification and instead open the app directly to access new mail faster.
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