If your computer frequently operates with high memory usage, the system might slow down, and it's crucial to clean up RAM. So, how do you free up RAM on Windows 11/10? Discover effective methods in this article to enhance your PC's performance.

RAM stands for random-access memory and acts as a temporary storage medium for working data and machine code. The more RAM a PC has, the more applications and processes it can handle simultaneously. However, if the RAM is insufficient, your computer may experience sluggish speeds and poor performance because it lacks the storage needed to complete its tasks.

To ensure your PC continues functioning smoothly, consider clearing RAM. Below are ways to free up RAM on Windows 11/10.

Option 1: Restart the PC

RAM only holds data temporarily. When the PC shuts down, all stored data is erased. Thus, restarting your computer can help clear all RAM contents. While this won't significantly increase RAM capacity, it stops background processes consuming high memory without your awareness. Simply click Start > Power > Restart to reboot the Windows 11/10 system.

Option 2: Use MiniTool System Booster

MiniTool System Booster is a top-notch PC cleaner and optimization tool that helps eliminate unnecessary clutter through comprehensive cleaning across various aspects, including memory. It also allows you to uninstall unnecessary apps, disable memory-heavy background tasks, and manage startup items to free up RAM. Download its trial version using the link below to give it a try.

Here’s how to free up RAM on Windows 11/10 using MiniTool System Booster’s Deepclean feature:

Step 1: After installation, launch the software on your PC.

Step 2: Navigate to Performance > Deepclean and click the START CLEAN button to initiate the cleanup tasks.

Step 3: To free up RAM, bypass preliminary tasks and proceed to the Memory Mechanic section. Click RUN MEMORY MECHANIC to release some RAM space by closing older, memory-intensive tasks.

Additionally, you can remove unnecessary apps, processes, or startup items using MiniTool System Booster to free up RAM. Here’s how:

Step 1: Head to Toolbox from the dropdown menu.

Step 2: Click Advanced Uninstaller and select the UNINSTALL button beside the app you wish to remove.

Step 3: Under Toolbox, click Process Scanner > Scan now to scan all processes on your PC. Identify the process consuming significant memory and tap Terminate Process.

Step 5: Proceed to Toolbox > Startup Optimizer and toggle Off for items you don’t want to load during startup.

Furthermore, you can enable RAMJet under LiveBoost to clear old caches when additional RAM is required.

Once these tasks are completed, you’ll have some available RAM. If MiniTool System Booster meets your requirements, download it now for a trial run.

Option 3: Utilize Task Manager

Windows provides Task Manager, a tool that helps identify programs using high memory and reveals which startup apps run in the background during boot-up. You can terminate these resource-intensive tasks and disable startup programs to reclaim some RAM usage in Windows 11/10.

Here’s how to clear RAM using Task Manager:

Step 1: Select Task Manager from the Win X menu.

Step 2: Under Processes, inspect the item using high memory and select End task.

Step 3: Move to Startup, review the Startup impact list, and disable items marked as High.

Option 4: Clear RAM Cache

Disabling apps might not always work as they don’t release memory allocated to processes. In such cases, clearing RAM cache and reallocating resources can free up RAM for other processes. For guidance on clearing RAM cache, refer to our earlier post – How to Clear RAM Cache on Windows 10/11 [8 Ways].

Option 5: Limit Background Applications

Certain apps are set to run in the background even if you don’t actively use them. These apps can cause RAM shortages and excessive bandwidth/battery consumption. Hence, it’s advisable to stop background apps.

Here’s how to free up RAM on Windows 10/11 by doing so:

Step 1: Press Win I to open Settings.

Step 2: In Windows 10, navigate to Privacy > Background apps and turn off Let apps run in the background.

In Windows 11, go to Apps > Installed apps, click the three dots next to the desired app, choose Advanced options, scroll down to Background apps permissions, and select Never.

Option 6: Disable Visual Effects

With advancements in technology, there are more opportunities for computer effects and visual enhancements. However, images, videos, and animations consume considerable RAM. If your PC slows down due to insufficient RAM and you prioritize functionality over aesthetics, disabling visual effects can be an effective way to free up RAM.

Here’s how to clean up RAM in this manner:

Step 1: Type View advanced system settings and click on the result.

Step 2: Under Advanced, click Settings from Performance.

Step 3: Choose Adjust for best performance to disable all animations or pick specific visual effects to retain.

Step 4: Click Apply > OK.

How to Increase RAM

Apart from freeing up RAM, there are other ways to directly boost RAM on Windows 11/10.

Resize Virtual Memory: Virtual memory is a memory management technique that temporarily transfers data from RAM to a hard drive when physical RAM is full. Increasing virtual memory can optimize usage and prevent excessive memory consumption.

Enable ReadyBoost: If your PC is outdated and lacks sufficient RAM, enabling ReadyBoost can help increase RAM. Note that this method does not apply to PCs running on SSDs. (Related post: What’s Windows ReadyBoost & Is It Really Effective)

Upgrade or Install Additional RAM: If your RAM is consistently insufficient and you need to run numerous apps, consider upgrading the RAM or adding another RAM stick to your PC. Follow the guide – How to Upgrade Or Replace The RAM On Your Computer.

Conclusion

How to free up RAM on Windows 10/11? This article outlines multiple methods to clean up memory on a PC. Besides these, you can uninstall unnecessary apps via Control Panel/Windows Settings and perform a malware scan to free up RAM. Additionally, consider increasing RAM in one of the three mentioned ways to effectively address high memory usage beyond simply clearing RAM.

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