High Memory Usage: How to Fix This Error in Windows 10

Sometimes, we experience slowed down response time of applications running on our PC. This immediately takes us to the Task Manager, only to find unexplained high memory usage. This problem mainly occurs due to memory spikes while playing a memory-intensive game or using a lot of browser windows at a time. So, how do we get rid of this problem?  Read this article to learn some useful methods about how to bring down the memory usage problem in Windows 10. 

Close Unnecessary Programs and Applications

The main reason behind the high memory usage error is the overcrowded internal processes. So, closing all the unnecessary programs and applications that are running on your PC can help you get rid of the error. You can also check the Task Manager for any extra programs that you are not using at the time. If you do find an extra program, right-click on it to end. You will notice that this action instantly reduces the high memory usage issue.

Clean Up and Optimize the Disks

After shutting all the unnecessary programs running on your PC, you must check the disk space. If you find some useless files occupying space on your disk, you must get rid of them, as these useless files hog up memory space, resulting in slow performance. By useless files, we mean temporary files, thumbnails, system files, memory dump files, previous Windows updates, and Recycle Bin information. Fortunately, Windows 10 has a built-in tool, known as Disk Cleanup to clear up consumed space. To free-up space using this tool, follow the steps given below:

1. Right-click on the C drive to find an option named “Disk Cleanup,” Click on it and the system will list the amount of space that can be cleared.
2. A summary of the files to be removed will show up on your screen. This will include the files that consume the most space, including temporary Internet files, delivery optimization files, program downloads, and thumbnails.
3. If you choose to click “clean up System files,” you will still find a lot of space that can be cleared. If you go for “Windows Update Cleanup,” it will delete previous Windows updates, which will save you a lot of space.
4. Instead of choosing to delete these unnecessary files one-by-one, you can click on “Select all the above files” followed by “permanently delete.” The entire cleanup process can take a few minutes to up to an hour, completely depending on how many disk files you are discarding.

Increase Virtual Memory through Registry NDU

This particular technique will give you an immediate memory boost. Here is what to do:

1. Go to the Start menu, find and click on Registry Editor to run it in Administrator mode.
2. Then enter the path given below and select NDU (Network Diagnostic Usage).
3. Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\Ndu
4. NDU is a resource-monitoring setting, which can cause unexpected memory spikes while running a lot of applications. Right-click on the file named NDU to get the option named Modify.
5. After clicking on Modify, a pop-up window will appear. Change the Value Data from 2 to 4 and hit OK to save this new NDU setting.

Increase the RAM

If none of the above methods helped you to fix the high memory usage problem, then you are left with no option but to upgrade your RAM. You can check the kind of RAM you already have by clicking on “Performance” in the Start menu, followed by “Memory.” With this information in hand, you will be able to make the right purchase. You must also check the maximum capacity to which you can upgrade your RAM before buying one.

All the methods mentioned in this guide are safe to use and won’t cause any harm to your system.

Blair Lennon is a Norton expert and has been working in the technology industry since 2002. As a technical expert, she has written technical blogs, manuals, white papers, and reviews for many websites such as norton.com/setup.

 

Source URL - High Memory Usage: How to Fix This Error in Windows 10