On some Copilot+ PCs, a hidden Windows AI process can sit on several gigabytes of memory even if you never use AI features - here is how to check yours, and the free Wintoys switch that turns it off.
Wintoys, a popular free tweaking app, added the switch in its version 3.0 update.
It only matters on Copilot+ PCs, the newer laptops with an NPU chip for AI.
On any other PC, skip to the last section for what actually frees memory.
What Is Eating the Memory
Copilot+ PCs run a background service called Windows AI Fabric Service (WSAIFabricSvc). It loads AI models for features like Recall and smarter search, and users report it can keep them in memory even when those features are switched off.
The memory shows up as one or more WorkloadsSessionHost.exe processes. The Wintoys developer puts the usage at anywhere from 2 GB to more than 8 GB.
Microsoft has not said whether this is intended or a bug.
How to Check Your Own PC First
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Open the Details tab and click the Memory column to sort by it.
- Look for WorkloadsSessionHost.exe near the top.
If it isn't there, or it is using only a little, this fix is not for you. Nothing else in this article will make a difference either.
How to Turn It Off With Wintoys
Wintoys is free, with no ads. An optional paid add-on, Wintoys+, only unlocks saved profiles.
- Install Wintoys from the Store and open it. It needs administrator rights.
- Use the restore point shortcut on its welcome screen, so you can roll back if anything misbehaves.
- Go to the Optimizations page and turn off AI components.
- Restart, then check Task Manager again.
On the developer's own 16 GB Surface Pro, memory use dropped from 11 GB to 5 GB. That is one PC, so treat it as a best case, not a promise.
What you give up:
Built-in AI features such as Recall, Click to Do and the smarter Windows search may stop working. Some users also report the process coming back after a restart or a Windows update, so check again after big updates.
Get the real app.
The developer warns that fake Wintoys "pro" versions carrying malware are circulating on GitHub. Only install it from the Microsoft Store.
What Else Is New in Wintoys 3.0
- AI switches in one place. A new section turns off Recall, Click to Do, Notepad's writing tools and agentic search.
- File Explorer preloading. A switch for the newer Windows 11 option that keeps File Explorer loaded in memory so it opens faster.
- Profiles. Save your tweaks to a file and load them on another PC, with the Wintoys+ add-on.
- Still works on Windows 10. Most settings run on both Windows 10 and 11.
Not a Copilot+ PC? What Actually Frees Memory
On a regular PC, the usual memory hogs are startup apps, browser tabs and preinstalled extras. Two free tools handle those safely.
- Microsoft PC Manager - Microsoft's own free app, with one-click memory boost and startup app control.
- Win11Debloat - removes preinstalled apps and turns off Copilot and other extras in one go.
For more ways to slim Windows down, CrapFixer is another free debloater worth a look.
Quick questions
What is WorkloadsSessionHost.exe?
It is a Windows process that runs AI models on Copilot+ PCs, part of the Windows AI Fabric Service. On some PCs it holds several gigabytes of memory.
Is Wintoys free?
Yes. It is free from the Microsoft Store with no ads. The paid Wintoys+ add-on only unlocks profiles.
Is it safe to turn off AI components?
It is a normal Windows service setting, but built-in AI features may stop working. Create a restore point first so you can undo it.
Will this help on a normal laptop without an NPU?
No. The option only appears on Copilot+ PCs. On other PCs, trim startup apps with Microsoft PC Manager instead.
Does Wintoys work on Windows 10?
Yes, most of its settings work on Windows 10 and 11. The AI options only apply to Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs.
The bottom line
Check Task Manager before you change anything. If WorkloadsSessionHost.exe is hogging gigabytes and you don't use Recall, the Wintoys switch is a quick win you can roll back with a restore point.
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