How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11

Emmanuel | Jul 06,2022 7 min read

Microsoft recently launched Windows 11. This version has some new features, but some users complain about the high memory usage issues, which negatively impact the performance. 

The Random Access Memory, RAM stores temporary data when performing tasks. Whenever a user runs a program on Windows, the CPU converts data to memory for effective working. The memory also shows the PC's speed and performance. The high memory usage issue occurs mainly when the system is overloaded due to many internal processes.

So, if you are facing this issue, here we are with 8 different solutions to fix it in Windows 10/11. 

What is High Memory Usage & What Causes it?

High Memory Usage happens when the RAM, ROM, or cache usage goes high. We need to understand the root cause of the high memory usage in Windows 11 before addressing it.

Many people have faced this issue after upgrading to Windows 11. After further examination, it was discovered that Windows 11's File Explorer is responsible for this phenomenon. File Explorer will cause RAM utilization to rise to 70% or even 99% when it is opened for use or background activities. Fortunately, Microsoft acknowledged the relevant problems and said it was working on fixes and mitigation strategies. You can wait for Microsoft to update if you can live with this bug right now.

Possible reasons for high memory usage problem:

  • Automatic startup software/programs at boot
  • Programs going on in the background
  • Low space due to enormous installations or apps.

8 Ways to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11

Table of contents

Method 1. Close These Unnecessary Programs and Applications

Method 2. Disable Startup Programs

Method 3. Defragment Hard Drive

Method 4. Disable Superfetch service

Method 5. Fix Disk File System Error

Method 6. Set Registry Hack

Method 7. Increase Physical Memory

Method 8. Reinstall Windows 10/11

Method 1. Close These Unnecessary Programs and Applications

Many people don't close background apps and don't even know that the background apps are consuming their system's memory. But it is important to save memory. Here are some steps to follow to close unnecessary programs and applications: 

Step 1. Open the search bar and type "Task Manager." 

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 1 Step 1

Step 2. When you open the task manager, select the programs which you no longer need to be running.

Step 3. Then right-click on the program and select "End task" to close it.

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 1 Step 3

Method 2. Disable Startup Programs

Most of the programs start automatically and will take RAM. If you don't need any software or program to run automatically after booting, you can disable it manually and save your RAM. Here are some steps to follow to disable startup programs. 

Step 1. Go to the Task Manager by searching on the search bar. 

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 2 Step 1

Step 2. Click on the "Startup" tab, then right-click on the application which you don't want to run automatically and click disable.

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 2 Step 2

Method 3. Defragment Hard Drive

This method also helps to save memory space. Users can use a disk defragmenter to complete fragmentation. Here are some steps to follow. 

Step 1. Open the File Explorer and right-click the drive you want to defragment. Click 'Properties.'

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 3 Step 1

Step 2. In the Tools tab, click on 'Optimize.'

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 3 Step 2

Step 3. Select the drive and click on "Optimize." The process will start automatically.

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 3 Step 3

Method 4. Disable Superfetch service

Typically, the Superfetch service is started by default, and this service was created specifically for conventional hard drives. It enhances computer speed by letting the memory load a small portion of the data required to run specific programs fast.

Therefore, if the computer disc is a hard drive disc, even though it could take a lot of memory in Windows 10, it shouldn't be disabled. However, this function must be turned off if the computer disc is an SSD.

Step 1. To launch the Services window, press the "Windows + R" keys and type "services.msc."

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 4 Step 1

Step 2. Select Superfetch by scrolling down. To turn it off, right-click on it and choose Stop.

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 4 Step 2

Method 5. Fix Disk File System Error

The best method to fix disk file system errors is to download third-party disk checker software to repair the disk. EaseUS Partition Master is a great tool for checking and fixing disk problems in Windows 11. Besides the disk checking function, it also helps in different aspects like resizing, formatting, wiping, or creating a new disk.

Visit Site

Price: It starts $29.95/Monthly.

Compatibility: Windows

 Buy Now $19.95$29.95

30-day money back guarantee

So, here are the steps to fix disk file system errors: 

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Partition Master. Once you've located the disc, select "Advanced" then "Check File System" from the menu. 

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 5 Step 1

Step 2. Right-click the partition, you want to analyze. Tick the "Try to fix errors if found" checkbox and then click "Start".

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 5 Step 2

Step 3. The software will start examining your disk's partition file system. Click "Finish" after completion.

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 5 Step 3

Method 6. Set Registry Hack

This functionality can remove the page file to free up virtual memory at shutdown. Here are the steps to set a registry hack:

Step 1. To launch Registry Editor, press "Windows + R" and then type "Regedit."

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 6 Step 1

Step 2. Open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, choose SYSTEM and click on CurrentControlSet. And then, press on Control Session Manager, and finally click on Memory Management.

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 6 Step 2

Step 3. Locate ClearPageFileAtShutDown and right-click to change its value to 1; after saving the change, click OK.

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 6 Step 3

Step 4. Restart your PC to boot up the registry hack setting

Method 7. Increase Physical Memory

The easiest way to add physical memory to your computer is by making changes to the paging file. The steps are as follows:

Step 1. Go to Control Panel and search for 'Advanced System Settings'

Step 2. In the Advanced tab, click 'Settings.'

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 7 Step 2

Step 3. On the pop-up window, in the Advanced tab, click "Change." 

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 7 Step 3

Step 4. Tick the "Automatically manage paging file size for all devices" and click OK. 

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 7 Step 4

Method 8. Reinstall Windows 10/11

If the above methods don't help, you can reinstall Windows 10/11, as it generally solves the issue. We suggest that you create a backup before deciding to reinstall a new Windows or reset your computer. 

The simplest way to reinstall Windows is via Windows itself.

Step 1. Go to Control Panel and click 'Update & Security.'

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 8 Step 1

Step 2. In the Recovery tab, choose 'Get started' under 'Reset this PC'.

How to Fix High Memory Usage in Windows 10/11 Method 8 Step 2

Conclusion

The 8 solutions mentioned above can address the most frequent causes of Windows 10/11's high memory usage. If you have enough money, you can add another memory stick to your computer, ensuring that Windows 10/11 will continue to work smoothly, whether you are using it to run programs or play games. Otherwise, fixing disk file system errors by using the EaseUS Partition Master is an excellent way to fix high memory usage. Give it a try when no other solution works for you.

Visit Site

Price: It starts $29.95/Monthly.

Compatibility: Windows

 Buy Now $19.95$29.95

30-day money back guarantee

No more content

Related articles