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AI Engineering
Hacker News·Jun 20·5 min read
Windows 11 New Media Player Uses 3.5x More RAM, Charges for Popular Video Codecs
TL;DR
Users have reported that Windows 11's new Media Player consumes significantly more RAM than the classic version. The new Media Player, which replaces Groove Music and the old Windows Media Player, uses about 377MB of RAM when idle.
✦ Why It Matters
Engineers should be aware of increased resource demands and potential licensing costs when using Windows 11's Media Player.
Key Takeaways
- Evaluate memory usage of applications before deployment.
- Consider third-party media players for codec support.
- Monitor startup times for user experience improvements.
- Stay informed about licensing changes for software components.
Full Summary
Windows 11's new Media Player has been criticized for its high memory usage and the introduction of paywalls for popular video codecs. Specifically, it uses approximately 377MB of RAM when idle, compared to just 103MB for the classic Windows Media Player, representing a 3.5x increase.
Furthermore, the startup time for local video files has increased by about 50%, from two seconds to three seconds. Microsoft has also removed the built-in AC-3 (Dolby Digital) codec in the latest version, requiring users to seek alternatives for playback.
The new Media Player is intended to replace both Groove Music and the classic Windows Media Player, although the latter remains available as an optional component. Users looking for a more efficient solution may consider third-party players like VLC, which include their own codecs without additional costs.