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How do I fix a high memory/ram issue windows 11

Anonymous
2024-09-18T19:37:41+00:00

Hi there! I have a fairly new computer who within the past 3 days has had significant difficulty running due to a high memory output. Nothing new was downloaded. I installed a GeForce driver but nothing improved. I have checked for viruses and there seem to be none. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Performance and system failures

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  1. Solamillo Charity 20,260 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-09-19T16:31:55+00:00

    Thank you for the update!

    My apologies about not asking before, but I have noticed that you only have 8GB of RAM. For Windows 11, 8 GB of RAM is generally considered the minimum for basic tasks, such as web browsing, document editing, and media consumption. However, if you use memory-intensive applications (like gaming, photo/video editing, or running multiple programs simultaneously), 8 GB may start to feel insufficient.

    Windows 11 itself uses more memory than previous versions, and modern applications, particularly web browsers like Chrome or Edge, can also consume a large portion of your RAM. This is especially true if you keep multiple tabs open. Additionally, background processes and startup programs can significantly contribute to high memory usage.

    Since you're experiencing high memory usage (65-70% when idle), your system is already pushing the limits of the installed RAM. When opening additional applications, it's likely why you see the memory usage quickly escalate to 80-85%. This indicates that upgrading to at least 16 GB of RAM would be beneficial. Doing so would not only provide a smoother experience but also ensure that your system can handle more demanding tasks and multitasking without running into performance issues.

    But, for now while you're still not upgrading, we can increase your Virtual Memory.

    Right-click on ‘This PC’ and select ‘Properties.’

    Click on ‘Advanced system settings.’

    Under the ‘Advanced’ tab, click ‘Settings’ under the ‘Performance’ section.

    Go to the ‘Advanced’ tab and click ‘Change’ under ‘Virtual memory.’

    Uncheck ‘Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.’

    Select the drive (usually C:), choose ‘Custom size,’ and set the initial size to 1.5 times your RAM (12,000 MB) and the maximum size to 3 times your RAM (24,000 MB).

    Click ‘Set,’ then ‘OK,’ and restart your computer.

    Please let me know if you have any more questions, I'll do my best to respond as soon as possible.

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  1. Kapil Arya 37,681 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2024-09-19T17:05:42+00:00

    Hello,

    See if this fix helps you:

    https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-high-memory-usage-in-windows-11

    Let us know if this helps!

    Note: Included link in this reply refers to blog by a trusted Microsoft MVP.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-09-19T16:08:42+00:00

    Thank you for your help! Unfortunately an error occurs when I try to get initiate the scan. Specifically it says “you must be an administrator running a console session in order to use the sfc utility.”

    I’ve attached a picture with my device specifications.

    The memory currently sits at around 65 to 70 when opening the computer and not running any apps. When I open something like a browser it ramps up to 80-85.

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  3. Solamillo Charity 20,260 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-09-18T22:29:14+00:00

    Hello there! I am Charity, I'm an Independent Advisor. I'm glad to help you today!

    I'm really sorry that this has happened to you. May I ask what is the specification of your computer? May I also ask on what specific application is it having any slowdowns?

    Let's also check for corrupted system files.

    First, open Command Prompt as an administrator by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Command Prompt (Admin)." In the Command Prompt window, type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the scan to complete; this process might take some time, and the tool will automatically attempt to fix any detected issues. Once the scan is finished, restart your computer.

    Next, open Command Prompt as an administrator again. In the Command Prompt window, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. Wait for the process to complete, as it might also take some time to repair the Windows image. Once the DISM process is complete, restart your computer.

    Please let me know if this works for you. I'll do my best to respond as soon as possible.

    Kind Regards,

    Charity (Active hours 5PM~10AM GMT+08:00)

    Please note that things might need more than one reply to completely resolve your issue, as it will completely depend on the complexity of the question and the amount of detail that you have provided me. I'll be with you until we resolve your problem!

    If you find the answer helpful, please mark it as an answer.

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