Windows 11 Weather App Caught Hoarding 1GB+ RAM
Windows 11’s Weather App Is Eating Your Computer’s Memory (And Showing You Ads)
The Big Picture
Imagine you buy a brand-new laptop. You open the built-in weather app just to check if you need an umbrella—and suddenly, over 1 gigabyte of your computer’s short-term memory is gone. That’s what’s happening with Windows 11’s default weather app, and users are not happy.
What’s Actually Happening?
The Memory Hog
- 1.2 GB RAM used just by opening the weather app
- No scrolling, no clicking, no fancy animations—just sitting there
- On an 8 GB RAM laptop, that’s 15% of your total memory gone instantly
The Ad Problem
- The app is called "MSN Weather" (Microsoft’s version)
- It shows advertisements right in the forecast
- You already paid for Windows—why are you seeing ads in a basic tool?
How Did We Get Here?
1. Microsoft Changed Its Tune on RAM
| Before | Now |
|---|---|
| Recommended 32 GB RAM for new PCs | Says 8 GB RAM is "optimized" for Windows 11 |
| Documentation existed on Microsoft’s site | Quietly removed that recommendation last week |
2. The Math Doesn’t Add Up
8 GB total RAM – 1.2 GB for weather = 6.8 GB left for everything else
And that’s before you open Chrome, Spotify, or any actual work apps.
Windows vs. macOS: A Tale of Two Weather Apps
| Feature | Windows 11 (MSN Weather) | macOS (Apple Weather) |
|---|---|---|
| RAM Usage | ~1.2 GB | ~5x less (~240 MB) |
| Ads | Yes | No |
| Cost | Included in paid Windows license | Included in macOS (free updates) |
[!IMPORTANT]
The core issue: A basic system app shouldn’t use 15% of an "optimized" 8 GB machine’s memory—especially while showing ads on an OS you paid for.
Why This Matters for Regular People
- Slower performance – Less memory for apps you actually use
- Battery drain – More RAM usage = more power consumption
- Frustration – Paying for Windows but getting ad-supported bloatware
- Trust – Microsoft says 8 GB is fine, but their own apps prove otherwise
What Could Microsoft Do? (A Wish List)
- Rewrite the app using modern, lightweight tech (like they did with Notepad)
- Remove ads from first-party apps on licensed Windows
- Be honest about real-world RAM needs
- Optimize all built-in apps—Calculator, Photos, Mail, etc.
Summary
- Windows 11’s default weather app uses 1.2 GB RAM just to show the forecast
- It also shows ads, despite Windows being a paid product
- Microsoft now claims 8 GB RAM is enough—but the weather app alone takes 15% of that
- Apple’s equivalent app uses 5x less memory and has zero ads
- This is a symptom of a bigger problem: built-in apps need optimization
FAQ
Why does a simple weather app need 1.2 GB of RAM?
Modern Windows apps are often built as web apps wrapped in a container (like a mini Chrome browser). They load JavaScript frameworks, telemetry, ad SDKs, and background services—even if you just want to see "Sunny, 72°F."
Can I uninstall MSN Weather?
Yes! Right-click the Start button → Installed Apps → Find "MSN Weather" → Click the three dots → Uninstall. You can then use a lightweight alternative or just search "weather" in your browser.
Does this affect gaming or video editing?
Indirectly, yes. Every GB used by background bloat is a GB not available for your game, Premiere Pro timeline, or 50 Chrome tabs.
Has Microsoft responded to this criticism?
As of now, no official statement. But Windows enthusiasts and tech journalists (like Windows Latest) are highlighting the disconnect between Microsoft’s "8 GB is fine" marketing and reality.
Are other built-in Windows apps this bad?
Some are. The new Outlook, Photos, and Teams apps have also been criticized for high resource usage. Microsoft has been slowly improving them, but progress is uneven.
Bottom line: You shouldn’t need a gaming PC just to check the weather. Microsoft can do better—and users are right to demand it.
