diff --git a/docs/release-notes.md b/docs/release-notes.md
index 11cccee2..2fff0c58 100644
--- a/docs/release-notes.md
+++ b/docs/release-notes.md
@@ -3,8 +3,10 @@
 # Release notes
 ## Upcoming release
 * For players:
-  * Case-insensitive file paths (introduced in 3.14.0) are now disabled by default.  
-    _You can enable them via `smapi-internal/config.json` if needed. These will be re-enabled in a later version after reworking them to reduce performance impact._
+  * Disabled case-insensitive file paths (introduced in 3.14.0) by default.  
+    _You can enable them by editing `smapi-internal/config.json` if needed. They'll be re-enabled in a later version after they're reworked to reduce performance impact._
+  * Removed experimental 'aggressive memory optimizations' option.  
+    _This was disabled by default and is no longer needed in most cases. Memory usage will be better reduced by reworked asset propagation in the upcoming SMAPI 4.0.0._
   * Updated compatibility list.
 
 ## 3.14.0
diff --git a/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentCoordinator.cs b/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentCoordinator.cs
index 1a82d194..ef442fbe 100644
--- a/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentCoordinator.cs
+++ b/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentCoordinator.cs
@@ -32,9 +32,6 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Framework
         /// <summary>An asset key prefix for assets from SMAPI mod folders.</summary>
         private readonly string ManagedPrefix = "SMAPI";
 
-        /// <summary>Whether to enable more aggressive memory optimizations.</summary>
-        private readonly bool AggressiveMemoryOptimizations;
-
         /// <summary>Get a file path lookup for the given directory.</summary>
         private readonly Func<string, IFilePathLookup> GetFilePathLookup;
 
@@ -118,13 +115,11 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Framework
         /// <param name="jsonHelper">Encapsulates SMAPI's JSON file parsing.</param>
         /// <param name="onLoadingFirstAsset">A callback to invoke the first time *any* game content manager loads an asset.</param>
         /// <param name="onAssetLoaded">A callback to invoke when an asset is fully loaded.</param>
-        /// <param name="aggressiveMemoryOptimizations">Whether to enable more aggressive memory optimizations.</param>
         /// <param name="getFilePathLookup">Get a file path lookup for the given directory.</param>
         /// <param name="onAssetsInvalidated">A callback to invoke when any asset names have been invalidated from the cache.</param>
         /// <param name="requestAssetOperations">Get the load/edit operations to apply to an asset by querying registered <see cref="IContentEvents.AssetRequested"/> event handlers.</param>
-        public ContentCoordinator(IServiceProvider serviceProvider, string rootDirectory, CultureInfo currentCulture, IMonitor monitor, Reflector reflection, JsonHelper jsonHelper, Action onLoadingFirstAsset, Action<BaseContentManager, IAssetName> onAssetLoaded, bool aggressiveMemoryOptimizations, Func<string, IFilePathLookup> getFilePathLookup, Action<IList<IAssetName>> onAssetsInvalidated, Func<IAssetInfo, IList<AssetOperationGroup>> requestAssetOperations)
+        public ContentCoordinator(IServiceProvider serviceProvider, string rootDirectory, CultureInfo currentCulture, IMonitor monitor, Reflector reflection, JsonHelper jsonHelper, Action onLoadingFirstAsset, Action<BaseContentManager, IAssetName> onAssetLoaded, Func<string, IFilePathLookup> getFilePathLookup, Action<IList<IAssetName>> onAssetsInvalidated, Func<IAssetInfo, IList<AssetOperationGroup>> requestAssetOperations)
         {
-            this.AggressiveMemoryOptimizations = aggressiveMemoryOptimizations;
             this.GetFilePathLookup = getFilePathLookup;
             this.Monitor = monitor ?? throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(monitor));
             this.Reflection = reflection;
@@ -145,26 +140,11 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Framework
                     reflection: reflection,
                     onDisposing: this.OnDisposing,
                     onLoadingFirstAsset: onLoadingFirstAsset,
-                    onAssetLoaded: onAssetLoaded,
-                    aggressiveMemoryOptimizations: aggressiveMemoryOptimizations
+                    onAssetLoaded: onAssetLoaded
                 )
             );
-            var contentManagerForAssetPropagation = new GameContentManagerForAssetPropagation(
-                name: nameof(GameContentManagerForAssetPropagation),
-                serviceProvider: serviceProvider,
-                rootDirectory: rootDirectory,
-                currentCulture: currentCulture,
-                coordinator: this,
-                monitor: monitor,
-                reflection: reflection,
-                onDisposing: this.OnDisposing,
-                onLoadingFirstAsset: onLoadingFirstAsset,
-                onAssetLoaded: onAssetLoaded,
-                aggressiveMemoryOptimizations: aggressiveMemoryOptimizations
-            );
-            this.ContentManagers.Add(contentManagerForAssetPropagation);
             this.VanillaContentManager = new LocalizedContentManager(serviceProvider, rootDirectory);
-            this.CoreAssets = new CoreAssetPropagator(this.MainContentManager, contentManagerForAssetPropagation, this.Monitor, reflection, aggressiveMemoryOptimizations, name => this.ParseAssetName(name, allowLocales: true));
+            this.CoreAssets = new CoreAssetPropagator(this.MainContentManager, this.Monitor, reflection, name => this.ParseAssetName(name, allowLocales: true));
             this.LocaleCodes = new Lazy<Dictionary<string, LocalizedContentManager.LanguageCode>>(() => this.GetLocaleCodes(customLanguages: Enumerable.Empty<ModLanguage>()));
         }
 
@@ -184,8 +164,7 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Framework
                     reflection: this.Reflection,
                     onDisposing: this.OnDisposing,
                     onLoadingFirstAsset: this.OnLoadingFirstAsset,
-                    onAssetLoaded: this.OnAssetLoaded,
-                    aggressiveMemoryOptimizations: this.AggressiveMemoryOptimizations
+                    onAssetLoaded: this.OnAssetLoaded
                 );
                 this.ContentManagers.Add(manager);
                 return manager;
@@ -213,7 +192,6 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Framework
                     reflection: this.Reflection,
                     jsonHelper: this.JsonHelper,
                     onDisposing: this.OnDisposing,
-                    aggressiveMemoryOptimizations: this.AggressiveMemoryOptimizations,
                     relativePathLookup: this.GetFilePathLookup(rootDirectory)
                 );
                 this.ContentManagers.Add(manager);
diff --git a/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentManagers/BaseContentManager.cs b/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentManagers/BaseContentManager.cs
index b2e3ec0f..db2934a0 100644
--- a/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentManagers/BaseContentManager.cs
+++ b/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentManagers/BaseContentManager.cs
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ using StardewModdingAPI.Framework.Content;
 using StardewModdingAPI.Framework.Exceptions;
 using StardewModdingAPI.Framework.Reflection;
 using StardewValley;
-using xTile;
 
 namespace StardewModdingAPI.Framework.ContentManagers
 {
@@ -33,9 +32,6 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Framework.ContentManagers
         /// <summary>Simplifies access to private code.</summary>
         protected readonly Reflector Reflection;
 
-        /// <summary>Whether to enable more aggressive memory optimizations.</summary>
-        protected readonly bool AggressiveMemoryOptimizations;
-
         /// <summary>Whether to automatically try resolving keys to a localized form if available.</summary>
         protected bool TryLocalizeKeys = true;
 
@@ -82,8 +78,7 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Framework.ContentManagers
         /// <param name="reflection">Simplifies access to private code.</param>
         /// <param name="onDisposing">A callback to invoke when the content manager is being disposed.</param>
         /// <param name="isNamespaced">Whether this content manager handles managed asset keys (e.g. to load assets from a mod folder).</param>
-        /// <param name="aggressiveMemoryOptimizations">Whether to enable more aggressive memory optimizations.</param>
-        protected BaseContentManager(string name, IServiceProvider serviceProvider, string rootDirectory, CultureInfo currentCulture, ContentCoordinator coordinator, IMonitor monitor, Reflector reflection, Action<BaseContentManager> onDisposing, bool isNamespaced, bool aggressiveMemoryOptimizations)
+        protected BaseContentManager(string name, IServiceProvider serviceProvider, string rootDirectory, CultureInfo currentCulture, ContentCoordinator coordinator, IMonitor monitor, Reflector reflection, Action<BaseContentManager> onDisposing, bool isNamespaced)
             : base(serviceProvider, rootDirectory, currentCulture)
         {
             // init
@@ -95,7 +90,6 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Framework.ContentManagers
             this.Reflection = reflection;
             this.OnDisposing = onDisposing;
             this.IsNamespaced = isNamespaced;
-            this.AggressiveMemoryOptimizations = aggressiveMemoryOptimizations;
 
             // get asset data
             this.BaseDisposableReferences = reflection.GetField<List<IDisposable>?>(this, "disposableAssets").GetValue()
@@ -231,14 +225,6 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Framework.ContentManagers
                     removeAssets[baseAssetName] = asset;
                     remove = true;
                 }
-
-                // dispose if safe
-                if (remove && this.AggressiveMemoryOptimizations)
-                {
-                    if (asset is Map map)
-                        map.DisposeTileSheets(Game1.mapDisplayDevice);
-                }
-
                 return remove;
             }, dispose);
 
diff --git a/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentManagers/GameContentManager.cs b/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentManagers/GameContentManager.cs
index 083df454..c53040e1 100644
--- a/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentManagers/GameContentManager.cs
+++ b/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentManagers/GameContentManager.cs
@@ -51,9 +51,8 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Framework.ContentManagers
         /// <param name="onDisposing">A callback to invoke when the content manager is being disposed.</param>
         /// <param name="onLoadingFirstAsset">A callback to invoke the first time *any* game content manager loads an asset.</param>
         /// <param name="onAssetLoaded">A callback to invoke when an asset is fully loaded.</param>
-        /// <param name="aggressiveMemoryOptimizations">Whether to enable more aggressive memory optimizations.</param>
-        public GameContentManager(string name, IServiceProvider serviceProvider, string rootDirectory, CultureInfo currentCulture, ContentCoordinator coordinator, IMonitor monitor, Reflector reflection, Action<BaseContentManager> onDisposing, Action onLoadingFirstAsset, Action<BaseContentManager, IAssetName> onAssetLoaded, bool aggressiveMemoryOptimizations)
-            : base(name, serviceProvider, rootDirectory, currentCulture, coordinator, monitor, reflection, onDisposing, isNamespaced: false, aggressiveMemoryOptimizations: aggressiveMemoryOptimizations)
+        public GameContentManager(string name, IServiceProvider serviceProvider, string rootDirectory, CultureInfo currentCulture, ContentCoordinator coordinator, IMonitor monitor, Reflector reflection, Action<BaseContentManager> onDisposing, Action onLoadingFirstAsset, Action<BaseContentManager, IAssetName> onAssetLoaded)
+            : base(name, serviceProvider, rootDirectory, currentCulture, coordinator, monitor, reflection, onDisposing, isNamespaced: false)
         {
             this.OnLoadingFirstAsset = onLoadingFirstAsset;
             this.OnAssetLoaded = onAssetLoaded;
diff --git a/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentManagers/GameContentManagerForAssetPropagation.cs b/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentManagers/GameContentManagerForAssetPropagation.cs
index 1b0e1016..5c574a1a 100644
--- a/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentManagers/GameContentManagerForAssetPropagation.cs
+++ b/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentManagers/GameContentManagerForAssetPropagation.cs
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Framework.ContentManagers
         ** Public methods
         *********/
         /// <inheritdoc />
-        public GameContentManagerForAssetPropagation(string name, IServiceProvider serviceProvider, string rootDirectory, CultureInfo currentCulture, ContentCoordinator coordinator, IMonitor monitor, Reflector reflection, Action<BaseContentManager> onDisposing, Action onLoadingFirstAsset, Action<BaseContentManager, IAssetName> onAssetLoaded, bool aggressiveMemoryOptimizations)
-            : base(name, serviceProvider, rootDirectory, currentCulture, coordinator, monitor, reflection, onDisposing, onLoadingFirstAsset, onAssetLoaded, aggressiveMemoryOptimizations) { }
+        public GameContentManagerForAssetPropagation(string name, IServiceProvider serviceProvider, string rootDirectory, CultureInfo currentCulture, ContentCoordinator coordinator, IMonitor monitor, Reflector reflection, Action<BaseContentManager> onDisposing, Action onLoadingFirstAsset, Action<BaseContentManager, IAssetName> onAssetLoaded)
+            : base(name, serviceProvider, rootDirectory, currentCulture, coordinator, monitor, reflection, onDisposing, onLoadingFirstAsset, onAssetLoaded) { }
 
         /// <inheritdoc />
         public override T LoadExact<T>(IAssetName assetName, bool useCache)
diff --git a/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentManagers/ModContentManager.cs b/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentManagers/ModContentManager.cs
index 91de769f..65dffd8b 100644
--- a/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentManagers/ModContentManager.cs
+++ b/src/SMAPI/Framework/ContentManagers/ModContentManager.cs
@@ -55,10 +55,9 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Framework.ContentManagers
         /// <param name="reflection">Simplifies access to private code.</param>
         /// <param name="jsonHelper">Encapsulates SMAPI's JSON file parsing.</param>
         /// <param name="onDisposing">A callback to invoke when the content manager is being disposed.</param>
-        /// <param name="aggressiveMemoryOptimizations">Whether to enable more aggressive memory optimizations.</param>
         /// <param name="relativePathLookup">A lookup for relative paths within the <paramref name="rootDirectory"/>.</param>
-        public ModContentManager(string name, IContentManager gameContentManager, IServiceProvider serviceProvider, string modName, string rootDirectory, CultureInfo currentCulture, ContentCoordinator coordinator, IMonitor monitor, Reflector reflection, JsonHelper jsonHelper, Action<BaseContentManager> onDisposing, bool aggressiveMemoryOptimizations, IFilePathLookup relativePathLookup)
-            : base(name, serviceProvider, rootDirectory, currentCulture, coordinator, monitor, reflection, onDisposing, isNamespaced: true, aggressiveMemoryOptimizations: aggressiveMemoryOptimizations)
+        public ModContentManager(string name, IContentManager gameContentManager, IServiceProvider serviceProvider, string modName, string rootDirectory, CultureInfo currentCulture, ContentCoordinator coordinator, IMonitor monitor, Reflector reflection, JsonHelper jsonHelper, Action<BaseContentManager> onDisposing, IFilePathLookup relativePathLookup)
+            : base(name, serviceProvider, rootDirectory, currentCulture, coordinator, monitor, reflection, onDisposing, isNamespaced: true)
         {
             this.GameContentManager = gameContentManager;
             this.RelativePathLookup = relativePathLookup;
diff --git a/src/SMAPI/Framework/Models/SConfig.cs b/src/SMAPI/Framework/Models/SConfig.cs
index b4184abb..80d0d9ba 100644
--- a/src/SMAPI/Framework/Models/SConfig.cs
+++ b/src/SMAPI/Framework/Models/SConfig.cs
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Framework.Models
             [nameof(VerboseLogging)] = false,
             [nameof(LogNetworkTraffic)] = false,
             [nameof(RewriteMods)] = true,
-            [nameof(AggressiveMemoryOptimizations)] = false,
             [nameof(UsePintail)] = true,
             [nameof(UseCaseInsensitivePaths)] = false
         };
@@ -63,9 +62,6 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Framework.Models
         /// <summary>Whether SMAPI should rewrite mods for compatibility.</summary>
         public bool RewriteMods { get; }
 
-        /// <summary>Whether to enable more aggressive memory optimizations.</summary>
-        public bool AggressiveMemoryOptimizations { get; }
-
         /// <summary>Whether to use the experimental Pintail API proxying library, instead of the original proxying built into SMAPI itself.</summary>
         public bool UsePintail { get; }
 
@@ -94,13 +90,12 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Framework.Models
         /// <param name="webApiBaseUrl">The base URL for SMAPI's web API, used to perform update checks.</param>
         /// <param name="verboseLogging">Whether SMAPI should log more information about the game context.</param>
         /// <param name="rewriteMods">Whether SMAPI should rewrite mods for compatibility.</param>
-        /// <param name="aggressiveMemoryOptimizations">Whether to enable more aggressive memory optimizations.</param>
         /// <param name="usePintail">Whether to use the experimental Pintail API proxying library, instead of the original proxying built into SMAPI itself.</param>
         /// <param name="useCaseInsensitivePaths">>Whether to make SMAPI file APIs case-insensitive, even on Linux.</param>
         /// <param name="logNetworkTraffic">Whether SMAPI should log network traffic.</param>
         /// <param name="consoleColors">The colors to use for text written to the SMAPI console.</param>
         /// <param name="suppressUpdateChecks">The mod IDs SMAPI should ignore when performing update checks or validating update keys.</param>
-        public SConfig(bool developerMode, bool checkForUpdates, bool? paranoidWarnings, bool? useBetaChannel, string gitHubProjectName, string webApiBaseUrl, bool verboseLogging, bool? rewriteMods, bool? aggressiveMemoryOptimizations, bool? usePintail, bool? useCaseInsensitivePaths, bool logNetworkTraffic, ColorSchemeConfig consoleColors, string[]? suppressUpdateChecks)
+        public SConfig(bool developerMode, bool checkForUpdates, bool? paranoidWarnings, bool? useBetaChannel, string gitHubProjectName, string webApiBaseUrl, bool verboseLogging, bool? rewriteMods, bool? usePintail, bool? useCaseInsensitivePaths, bool logNetworkTraffic, ColorSchemeConfig consoleColors, string[]? suppressUpdateChecks)
         {
             this.DeveloperMode = developerMode;
             this.CheckForUpdates = checkForUpdates;
@@ -110,7 +105,6 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Framework.Models
             this.WebApiBaseUrl = webApiBaseUrl;
             this.VerboseLogging = verboseLogging;
             this.RewriteMods = rewriteMods ?? (bool)SConfig.DefaultValues[nameof(SConfig.RewriteMods)];
-            this.AggressiveMemoryOptimizations = aggressiveMemoryOptimizations ?? (bool)SConfig.DefaultValues[nameof(SConfig.AggressiveMemoryOptimizations)];
             this.UsePintail = usePintail ?? (bool)SConfig.DefaultValues[nameof(SConfig.UsePintail)];
             this.UseCaseInsensitivePaths = useCaseInsensitivePaths ?? (bool)SConfig.DefaultValues[nameof(SConfig.UseCaseInsensitivePaths)];
             this.LogNetworkTraffic = logNetworkTraffic;
diff --git a/src/SMAPI/Framework/SCore.cs b/src/SMAPI/Framework/SCore.cs
index 50765083..a9296d9b 100644
--- a/src/SMAPI/Framework/SCore.cs
+++ b/src/SMAPI/Framework/SCore.cs
@@ -1253,7 +1253,6 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Framework
                     onLoadingFirstAsset: this.InitializeBeforeFirstAssetLoaded,
                     onAssetLoaded: this.OnAssetLoaded,
                     onAssetsInvalidated: this.OnAssetsInvalidated,
-                    aggressiveMemoryOptimizations: this.Settings.AggressiveMemoryOptimizations,
                     getFilePathLookup: this.GetFilePathLookup,
                     requestAssetOperations: this.RequestAssetOperations
                 );
diff --git a/src/SMAPI/Metadata/CoreAssetPropagator.cs b/src/SMAPI/Metadata/CoreAssetPropagator.cs
index 5dee2c4d..12b73515 100644
--- a/src/SMAPI/Metadata/CoreAssetPropagator.cs
+++ b/src/SMAPI/Metadata/CoreAssetPropagator.cs
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ using System.IO;
 using System.Linq;
 using Microsoft.Xna.Framework;
 using Microsoft.Xna.Framework.Graphics;
-using StardewModdingAPI.Framework.ContentManagers;
 using StardewModdingAPI.Framework.Reflection;
 using StardewModdingAPI.Internal;
 using StardewModdingAPI.Toolkit.Utilities;
@@ -33,18 +32,12 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Metadata
         /// <summary>The main content manager through which to reload assets.</summary>
         private readonly LocalizedContentManager MainContentManager;
 
-        /// <summary>An internal content manager used only for asset propagation. See remarks on <see cref="GameContentManagerForAssetPropagation"/>.</summary>
-        private readonly GameContentManagerForAssetPropagation DisposableContentManager;
-
         /// <summary>Writes messages to the console.</summary>
         private readonly IMonitor Monitor;
 
         /// <summary>Simplifies access to private game code.</summary>
         private readonly Reflector Reflection;
 
-        /// <summary>Whether to enable more aggressive memory optimizations.</summary>
-        private readonly bool AggressiveMemoryOptimizations;
-
         /// <summary>Parse a raw asset name.</summary>
         private readonly Func<string, IAssetName> ParseAssetName;
 
@@ -67,18 +60,14 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Metadata
         *********/
         /// <summary>Initialize the core asset data.</summary>
         /// <param name="mainContent">The main content manager through which to reload assets.</param>
-        /// <param name="disposableContent">An internal content manager used only for asset propagation.</param>
         /// <param name="monitor">Writes messages to the console.</param>
         /// <param name="reflection">Simplifies access to private code.</param>
-        /// <param name="aggressiveMemoryOptimizations">Whether to enable more aggressive memory optimizations.</param>
         /// <param name="parseAssetName">Parse a raw asset name.</param>
-        public CoreAssetPropagator(LocalizedContentManager mainContent, GameContentManagerForAssetPropagation disposableContent, IMonitor monitor, Reflector reflection, bool aggressiveMemoryOptimizations, Func<string, IAssetName> parseAssetName)
+        public CoreAssetPropagator(LocalizedContentManager mainContent, IMonitor monitor, Reflector reflection, Func<string, IAssetName> parseAssetName)
         {
             this.MainContentManager = mainContent;
-            this.DisposableContentManager = disposableContent;
             this.Monitor = monitor;
             this.Reflection = reflection;
-            this.AggressiveMemoryOptimizations = aggressiveMemoryOptimizations;
             this.ParseAssetName = parseAssetName;
         }
 
@@ -230,7 +219,7 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Metadata
                 ** Buildings
                 ****/
                 case "buildings/houses": // Farm
-                    Farm.houseTextures = this.LoadAndDisposeIfNeeded(Farm.houseTextures, key);
+                    Farm.houseTextures = this.LoadTexture(key);
                     return true;
 
                 case "buildings/houses_paintmask": // Farm
@@ -247,7 +236,7 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Metadata
                 ** Content\Characters\Farmer
                 ****/
                 case "characters/farmer/accessories": // Game1.LoadContent
-                    FarmerRenderer.accessoriesTexture = this.LoadAndDisposeIfNeeded(FarmerRenderer.accessoriesTexture, key);
+                    FarmerRenderer.accessoriesTexture = this.LoadTexture(key);
                     return true;
 
                 case "characters/farmer/farmer_base": // Farmer
@@ -257,19 +246,19 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Metadata
                     return !ignoreWorld && this.ReloadPlayerSprites(assetName);
 
                 case "characters/farmer/hairstyles": // Game1.LoadContent
-                    FarmerRenderer.hairStylesTexture = this.LoadAndDisposeIfNeeded(FarmerRenderer.hairStylesTexture, key);
+                    FarmerRenderer.hairStylesTexture = this.LoadTexture(key);
                     return true;
 
                 case "characters/farmer/hats": // Game1.LoadContent
-                    FarmerRenderer.hatsTexture = this.LoadAndDisposeIfNeeded(FarmerRenderer.hatsTexture, key);
+                    FarmerRenderer.hatsTexture = this.LoadTexture(key);
                     return true;
 
                 case "characters/farmer/pants": // Game1.LoadContent
-                    FarmerRenderer.pantsTexture = this.LoadAndDisposeIfNeeded(FarmerRenderer.pantsTexture, key);
+                    FarmerRenderer.pantsTexture = this.LoadTexture(key);
                     return true;
 
                 case "characters/farmer/shirts": // Game1.LoadContent
-                    FarmerRenderer.shirtsTexture = this.LoadAndDisposeIfNeeded(FarmerRenderer.shirtsTexture, key);
+                    FarmerRenderer.shirtsTexture = this.LoadTexture(key);
                     return true;
 
                 /****
@@ -905,9 +894,6 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Metadata
             GameLocation location = locationInfo.Location;
             Vector2? playerPos = Game1.player?.Position;
 
-            if (this.AggressiveMemoryOptimizations)
-                location.map.DisposeTileSheets(Game1.mapDisplayDevice);
-
             // reload map
             location.interiorDoors.Clear(); // prevent errors when doors try to update tiles which no longer exist
             location.reloadMap();
@@ -973,7 +959,7 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Metadata
             // update sprite
             foreach (var target in characters)
             {
-                target.Npc.Sprite.spriteTexture = this.LoadAndDisposeIfNeeded(target.Npc.Sprite.spriteTexture, target.AssetName.BaseName);
+                target.Npc.Sprite.spriteTexture = this.LoadTexture(target.AssetName.BaseName);
                 propagated[target.AssetName] = true;
             }
         }
@@ -1012,7 +998,7 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Metadata
             // update portrait
             foreach (var target in characters)
             {
-                target.Npc.Portrait = this.LoadAndDisposeIfNeeded(target.Npc.Portrait, target.AssetName.BaseName);
+                target.Npc.Portrait = this.LoadTexture(target.AssetName.BaseName);
                 propagated[target.AssetName] = true;
             }
         }
@@ -1284,25 +1270,10 @@ namespace StardewModdingAPI.Metadata
                 : Array.Empty<string>();
         }
 
-        /// <summary>Load a texture, and dispose the old one if <see cref="AggressiveMemoryOptimizations"/> is enabled and it's different from the new instance.</summary>
-        /// <param name="oldTexture">The previous texture to dispose.</param>
+        /// <summary>Load a texture from the main content manager.</summary>
         /// <param name="key">The asset key to load.</param>
-        private Texture2D LoadAndDisposeIfNeeded(Texture2D? oldTexture, string key)
+        private Texture2D LoadTexture(string key)
         {
-            // if aggressive memory optimizations are enabled, load the asset from the disposable
-            // content manager and dispose the old instance if needed.
-            if (this.AggressiveMemoryOptimizations)
-            {
-                GameContentManagerForAssetPropagation content = this.DisposableContentManager;
-
-                Texture2D newTexture = content.Load<Texture2D>(key);
-                if (oldTexture?.IsDisposed == false && !object.ReferenceEquals(oldTexture, newTexture) && content.IsResponsibleFor(oldTexture))
-                    oldTexture.Dispose();
-
-                return newTexture;
-            }
-
-            // else just (re)load it from the main content manager
             return this.MainContentManager.Load<Texture2D>(key);
         }
 
diff --git a/src/SMAPI/SMAPI.config.json b/src/SMAPI/SMAPI.config.json
index 544aeaec..bdd6374a 100644
--- a/src/SMAPI/SMAPI.config.json
+++ b/src/SMAPI/SMAPI.config.json
@@ -39,13 +39,6 @@ copy all the settings, or you may cause bugs due to overridden changes in future
      */
     "RewriteMods": true,
 
-    /**
-     * Whether to enable more aggressive memory optimizations.
-     * If you get frequent 'OutOfMemoryException' errors, you can try enabling this to reduce their
-     * frequency. This may cause crashes for farmhands in multiplayer.
-     */
-    "AggressiveMemoryOptimizations": false,
-
     /**
      * Whether to make SMAPI file APIs case-insensitive, even on Linux.
      * This is experimental, and the initial implementation may impact load times.