High RAM usage in Windows 11 [Best 11 Fixes]

Upon availability, users quickly upgrade their PC operating system to Windows 11. and try out the new operating system. Consequently, some users have written to us to complain about the high RAM usage on their Windows 11 computers even while the computer is idle.

This is not an uncommon problem. While the cause of this problem can be a cause for concern, it is possible that there is an oversight from the development team, which may be rectified. However, we have researched workable fixes.

How do I fix high RAM usage on Windows 11?

1. Clear your PC cache

Firstly, press the Windows and S buttons together on your keyboard and search for control panel.
Click on the app to start it.
On the top right corner, type File Explorer options in the search entry and open it.
Then, navigate to the General tab.
Now select Clear and then click on the Ok option.

2. Ensure Windows is updated

Firstly, press the Windows + I keys together to open Settings or open by clicking the Windows icon on the Taskbar.
Then click the Windows Update option and the Check for updates button to find new updates.
Now Windows will search for new Windows updates. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the update.
Finally, restart your computer.

3. Remove unused apps

Firstly, click on the Start button, enter control panel in the search bar, and then choose Control Panel from the results.
Then, under Programs, select the Uninstall a program option.
Finally, right-click the program(s) you want to uninstall that are no longer useful to you and click Uninstall.

4. Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool

Firstly, click the Search icon on the Taskbar and enter memory diagnostic in the entry box, then click on the Windows Memory Diagnostic app to launch the tool.
Now in the Windows Memory Diagnostic window, click Restart now and check for problems (recommended) to run diagnostics immediately.
Allow the tool to check for memory problems. Afterward, Windows will display the test result for you.

5. End unnecessary apps

Press the ctrl + shift + esc keys together to open the Task Manager.
When the manager opens, click the Processes tab. Under the Memory column, you should see the memory consumption rate.
Then right-click on the program consuming the most memory and select End Task on the option.

6. Disable Startup apps

Press the ctrl + shift + esc keys to open the Task Manager.
When it opens, click the Startup tab to see applications running on startup.
Then, right-click on the app(s) and select Disable on the list of options.

7. Disable SysMain service

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog, enter services.msc in the text field, then click the OK button or tap Enter.
Then scroll down and look for the SysMain service.
When you find it, right-click on the SysMain service and click Properties from the options.
Once the SysMain Properties window opens, look for Startup type, click the drop-down menu, and select Disabled. Also, on the Service status and click the Stop button.
Finally, wait for the disable process to finish executing and click OK.

8. Adjust for best performance

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog, enter sysdm.cpl in the text field, then click the OK button or tap Enter.
Once you click OK, the System Properties window should open.
After that, select the Advanced tab and click the Settings button under the Performance section.
When the Performance Options window launches, choose Adjust for best performance in the Visual Effects tab.
Finally, click on OK to save the setting.

9. Increase Virtual Memory

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog, enter sysdm.cpl in the text field, then click the OK button or tap Enter.
Once you click OK, the System Properties window should open.
After that, select the Advanced tab and click the Settings button under the Performance section.
When the Performance Options window launches, find Virtual Memory under the Advanced tab and click the Change button.
Then, uncheck the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives checkbox, choose C: drive, select the No paging file radio button, and click the Set button.
After that, click Yes to confirm the setting.
Then, choose a different volume from the drive list, check the Custom size box and type in a value for Initial size and Maximum size.
Finally, click on Set and click OK.
Then, restart your computer.

10. Set registry

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog, enter regedit in the text field, then click the OK button or tap Enter.
When asked, allow on the User Account Control pop-up.
Then, navigate to the path below: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management
After that, find and double-click the ClearPageFileAtShutDown.
Once the small window opens, enter 1 on the Value data and click OK.
Finally, restart your computer.

11. Scan for virus

In the search box, search for Windows Security.
Click on the relevant search result to open the application.
Now click Virus & threat protection.
Next, click on the Scan options to view all available scans.
Choose the Full scan option and click the Scan now button to do a deep scan on your PC for viruses or malware.

Why does Windows 11 consume so much RAM?

RAM usage is necessary for temporarily storing data and instructions for the computer. Generally, all programs in a computer system run in the computer’s memory. Some causes for high RAM usage in Windows 11 include:

Background programs: Windows 11 is likely running multiple processes in the background that consume RAM. This could include Windows Update, software updaters, antivirus programs, and other system services.
Features: Windows 11 includes several new features, such as Cortana and the new Start menu, requiring more RAM.
Visual appeal: Windows 11 is more visually appealing than earlier versions of Windows, which requires additional RAM to support the high-resolution graphics.
Security feature: Windows 11 includes a new security system that also consumes RAM to protect the system from any threats.
Programs at startup: Windows 11 may also enable several programs to run on the system at the Startup. This consumes RAM.
Insufficient virtual memory: The OS may also have the issue of inadequate virtual memory.
Virus and malware: Windows 11 may also be infected with virus via malicious software.

The problems may be frustrating when they come up. But they are fixable, and the high RAM usage on Windows 11 will become abated. Following the proper methods and methodologies will in this guide guide you on how to reduce RAM usage on Windows 11 and help to solve the problem completely.

Is 4GB of RAM enough for Windows 11?

When Microsoft launched Windows 11, it raised the minimum requirements for installing the operating system. One of the requirements is that the user uses at least a dual-core CPU and at least 4 GB of RAM. You cannot do much smooth multitasking on Windows 11 using just 4 GB of RAM.

So, the appropriate answer to this question is no. Microsoft is correct when it mentioned 4 GB of RAM in the minimum specifications. This is because that is the absolute minimum Windows 11 will run on. Installing and running the system will be relatively stable and won’t be completely unusable.

But with 4 GB of RAM, you can’t do much. You can perform light tasks before the system struggles, even to perform basic system operations. Consider at least 8 GB of RAM up to 16 GB.

With 8 GB of RAM, you can open programs, browse the web, get stuff done, and do a little multitasking without wearing out your computer. 16 GB of RAM is probably the best of them. It permits the use of Chrome and several programs simultaneously.