Microsoft is experimenting with optimizing the File Explorer search feature to decrease RAM consumption in Windows 11.

      New Windows 11 Update Addresses High RAM Usage During File Searches

      Microsoft is implementing some subtle yet significant adjustments to the Windows 11 File Explorer that could finally alleviate its excessive system memory consumption. Currently in testing within the latest Windows Insider builds, these updates are designed to enhance the way the file manager conducts searches, particularly targeting the increased RAM and CPU usage that can occur when navigating large folders.

      This update is available in Windows 11 Build 26220.7523 and later.

      At present, it can only be accessed by participants in the Insider preview program. The essence of the fix is to improve efficiency rather than exert more effort: Microsoft aims to prevent File Explorer from repeatedly executing the same indexing tasks, which has long been a substantial drain on system resources.

      In a recent update, Microsoft indicated it has optimized the search function by “eliminating duplicate file indexing operations.” Basically, this means Windows will no longer re-scan the same files multiple times during a search. This straightforward improvement should enhance the overall experience while reducing the load on your hardware.

      It is important to point out that File Explorer does not possess its own search engine; it uses the built-in Windows Search Indexer. Although that indexer is supposed to be capable, it often ends up in a cycle of redundant operations, leading to unnecessary spikes in CPU and RAM usage. By removing these “double-checks,” Microsoft is alleviating the overall system burden, which is especially beneficial for users with laptops that have limited memory.

      In addition to these technical enhancements, Microsoft is also focusing on streamlining the File Explorer interface, particularly the right-click context menu. In recent trials, several infrequently used options—such as “Copy as path,” “Compress to,” and the image rotation tools—are being moved to a dedicated sub-menu.

      Depending on the specific version being tested, this new sub-menu may be labeled “Manage file” or “Other actions.” The objective is clear: to simplify the main menu so that essential functions are easily accessible without being hidden beneath a pile of seldom-used tools.

      While these updates are still being refined in the Insider channels, they are not far from being released to the general public. Microsoft anticipates beginning to roll out these enhancements to all users around late January or February. If everything proceeds as planned, your next Windows update could significantly improve the file search process and make your desktop less cluttered.

      Moinak Pal has been involved in the technology sector, focusing on both consumer technology and automotive innovations.

      In other news, Google may finally allow adjustments to Gmail usernames.

      After much reluctance, Google is currently testing a long-desired feature that could enable users to modify their Gmail usernames without losing their accounts. As per the recently updated support documentation, Google has initiated the rollout of an experimental feature that permits users to change the first portion of their email address, which is the part before "@gmail.com."

      The rollout has commenced discreetly (no official announcement or update has been made), with India being the first market for testing. Early observations suggest that this feature functions based on Google account settings rather than within Gmail itself.

      AI models such as ChatGPT and Claude may overestimate human intelligence.

      A new study indicates that artificial intelligence may have an overly optimistic view of human behavior. Researchers discovered that well-known AI models, like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude, often presume individuals are more rational and logical than they truly are, particularly in strategic decision-making contexts. This discrepancy between AI's expectations of human behavior and actual human actions could affect how these systems predict human choices in fields such as economics.

      This leaked Lenovo Yoga Mini i may be your lightest Copilot+ desktop.

      Sources report that Lenovo is possibly preparing a compact desktop designed for portability. Windows Latest claims to have acquired information about an unannounced product called the Lenovo Yoga Mini i (1L, 11), described as a cylindrical Copilot+ mini PC featuring an aluminum body and weighing approximately 600g. It is said to support up to four high-resolution displays.

      Furthermore, Windows Latest reports that the Yoga Mini i could be equipped with up to an Intel Core Ultra X7 358H processor, part of Intel's forthcoming 2026 CPU series, which Lenovo might market as Core Ultra X7 Series 3. Intel has not officially revealed these processors yet, and the leak does not provide details on clock speeds or core configurations.