Memory usages high usually in windows 10 while PC in idle [Causes and Solutions]

 

What is high memory usage? How do I check it? And how do I fix it? This article will give you a brief introduction to high memory usage and tell you how to solve it step by step. These methods can solve most common Windows 10 high memory usage problems.

About High Memory Usage

What Is Computer Memory?

Computer memory is one of the most important parts of a computer. It includes RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and Cache (click computer booting to know the relationship between RAM and ROM). It enables CPU (Central Processing Unit) to access instructions and data quickly.

The memory is used to temporarily store the operational data of CPU and the data exchanged with an external memory (such as a hard disk). To put it plainly, CPU will transfer the data that needs to be operated into the memory for operation when the computer is running and transmit the result out when the operation is completed.

Additionally, the program installed on hard drive disk is also loaded into memory for running. So, the main memory has great influence on computer’s stable operation.

How to Check Windows 10 High Memory Usage

Windows 10 high memory usage is usually related to RAM and virtual memory. Although memory is tightly connected with CPU and hard drive, the high memory usage problem still differs from high CPU usage and high disk usage problems.

If the computer has high memory usages problem, it will freeze (especially when a large program like a game is running). Sometimes, it will result in “Your computer is low on memory” error popping up.

In addition, computer users can also evaluate high memory usage Windows 10 on Task Manager. Follow the steps: right click the taskbar and select Task Manager.

How to solve high memory usage Windows 10 problem? The methods users take should depend on the causes to the problem. The reasons that may cause high memory usage Windows 10 are various, but the common causes are as follows.

• Running too many programs at the same time.
• Registry hack.
• Defective program design.
• Startup programs.
• Insufficient disk space.
• Virus or antivirus.
• Other causes.

How to Fix Windows 10 High Memory Usage

How to Fix Windows 10 High Memory Usage

1. Close unnecessary programs.
2. Disable startup programs.
3. Disable Superfetch service.
4. Increase virtual memory.
5. Set Registry Hack.
6. Defragment hard drives.
7. Methods suitable for software problems.
8. Virus or antivirus.
9. Adjust for best performance.
10. Reinstall Windows 10.
11. Increase physical memory.

Fix 1: Close unnecessary programs

If the high memory usage is caused by the computer running multiple programs at the same time, users could close the program to solve this problem. Or if a program occupies too much memory, users can also end this program to solve this problem.

Similarly, open Task Manager. Then right click the application you want to end up under Processes and choose End task.

Fix 2: Disable startup programs

Some programs run automatically when the computer starts up. If users don’t need these programs to run at startup, they can disable them.

Open Task Manager and then navigate to Startup page. Right click the programs that you don’t want to run at startup and then select Disable.

Fix 3: Disable Superfetch service

Superfetch service is usually booted by default. This service is especially designed for traditional hard drive disk. It improves computer performance by only allowing the memory to load a fraction of the data needed to run common programs very quickly.

So, although it may cause high memory usage Windows 10, it shouldn’t be disabled if the computer disk is hard drive disk. However, if the computer disk is SSD, this service should be disabled.

Press “Windows + R” keys, and then type “services.msc” to open Services window. Scroll down to select Superfetch. Right click on it and select Stop to disable it.

Fix 4: Increase virtual memory

Virtual memory is a computer system memory management technology, which can make a part of disk space serve as memory to relieve memory stress. Virtual memory is actually a big file on hard disk named PageFile.sys.

How to set virtual memory in Windows 10? Here is a tutorial.

Step 1: Find virtual memory and click Change.

• Open File Explorer and right click This PC, and then select Properties.
• Select Advanced system settings in the pop-up window.
• Click Settings in Performance box under Advanced page of System Properties
• Navigate to Advanced page in the pop-up Performance Options window, and then click Change in Virtual memory box.

Step 2: Cancel virtual memory on partition C.

• Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
• Select partition C and then check No paging file, and then click Set to save it.
• Then, click Yes in the pop-up warning window.

Step 3: Set suitable virtual memory on non-system partition.

• Select a non-system partition and then check Custom size.
• Set a same value in Initial size and Maximum size to avoid system frequently requesting page files of different sizes, which can reduce the consume of system resource and improve operating efficiency.
• Then click Set and OK to save.

Fix 5: Set Registry Hack

This feature can delete page file at shut down to release virtual memory.

Here is a tutorial.

Step 1: Press “Windows + R” keys and then type “regedit” to open Registry Editor.

Step 2: Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Control > Session Manager > Memory Management.

Step 3: Find ClearPageFileAtShutDown and right click it to modify its value to 1, and then click OK to save it.

Step 4: Restart the computer to boot up the Registry Hack setting.

Fix 6: Defragment hard drives

Defragmenting hard drives can also help to save memory space. Users can use Disk Defragmenter to complete defragmentation. Click disk defragmentation to know more information about it and more methods.

Open File Explorer and select Partition C. Then click Manage on the toolbar and click Optimize. Finally select Partition C and click Optimize.

Additionally, computer users should delete unnecessary files on Partition C. The Space Analyazer feature of MiniTool Partition Wizard is recommended to perform this operation well. This feature also displays hidden files for users to conveniently delete them.

Fix 7: Methods suitable for software problems

Windows 10 memory leak

Sometimes, the Windows 10 high memory usage is caused by memory leak, which is caused by defective software design.

Memory leak has great influence on computer server where programs will run for a long time. It will make memory space smaller and smaller and finally result in downtime.

As for personal computers, Windows 10 memory leaks will generally consume all the memory space. Although rebooting the computer can solve this problem temporarily, when the software runs again, the problem will occur again.

Because this problem is caused by defective software design, in order to solve this problem, users can download a patch, change version, or uninstall the defective software.

Chrome

At the same time, some computer users complain that Chrome occupies too much memory usage, which is usually caused by the tab page single process design of Chrome. So, when users open too much tab pages, Chrome eats a lot of memory.

Luckily, if it is Chrome who occupies too much memory, users can close prefetch feature or install One Tab extension to solve this problem.

Way 1: Open Chrome and go to Settings. Scroll down to open advanced settings. Uncheck “Use a prediction service to help complete searches and URLs typed in the address bar” and “Use a prediction service to load pages more quickly”.

Way 2: One Tab extension can close all tabs and integrate them into one tab, which can release a huge amount of memory space.

Fix 8: Virus or antivirus

Sometimes, the Windows 10 high memory usage is caused by virus. If so, computer users should run a virus scan of all files. Users can run the antivirus programs that they trust, or they can run the built-in Windows Defender if they don’t install any other antivirus program.

Here is a guide to Windows Defender.

Step 1: Find Windows Defender.

• Click Start button and select Settings.
• Select Security & Update.

Step 2: Run Windows Defender.

• Click Windows Defender and Open Windows Defender Security Center.
• Click Virus & threat protection and then click Quick scan.

But there has been users reporting that antivirus programs, including Windows Defender may cause Windows 10 high memory usage. If so, they can end the process of antivirus programs in Task Manger.

Fix 9: Adjust for best performance

Step 1: Open File Explorer, right click This PC, and then select Properties.

Step 2: Click Advanced system settings and then click Settings in Performance box.

Step 3: Check Adjust for best performance and click Apply. Finally click OK.

Fix 10: Reinstall Windows 10

Some users report that Windows 10 high memory usage only occurs when they leave the PC alone for about 30-45 minutes. Or this problem occurs after they upgrade to Windows 10. They have adopted the above methods to solve it, but it seems that these methods don’t work.

At last, they have to reinstall Windows 10 or reset PC. Fortunately, the reinstallation or reset usually fixes the problem. So, reinstalling Windows 10 and resetting PC are also methods to solve the problem.

When users decide to reinstall Windows 10 or reset PC, backup is recommended in advance. If the reinstallation and reset have accidentally caused data loss, MiniTool Partition Wizard can help you recover them. Click recovering data for detailed tutorial.

Fix 11: Increase physical memory

If the physical memory is very small, users can add a memory bank. How to check memory size? Open File Explorer and right click This PC to select Properties.

Generally speaking, 4G memory can satisfy simple needs in daily life. However, if users want to use computer to run large programs or to play games like H1Z1, at least 8G memory is needed.

But if users want to add memory, please note that the memory type must be the same. Users can refer to the parameters of memory bank installed on computer. Otherwise, incompatibility may appear.

How much RAM should be used at idle? What’s Normal Percentage?

The question “How much memory should my computer be using at idle?”, is a common one asked by many computer users. It is a confusing question. It is also a question that has a lot of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt) around it.

RAM is a crucial component of any computer, and its usage should be monitored for a number of reasons. And if it is not managed properly, it can quickly become overloaded, leading to sluggish performance or even crashes.

Having an understanding of how much memory should be used on your computer is an essential part of troubleshooting performance issues. So, first is step is,

What does mean by Idle Usage of RAM?

Idle RAM usage is the amount of RAM that is not being used by any programs or processes. This can be due to the RAM being unused or the RAM being used for things like the operating system’s, temporary files or acts as a cache for frequently accessed programs and data which helps speed up things like web browsing.

If a computer have lot of RAM like 16GB RAM, it is more likely to have more idle RAM because you are less likely to need that space until something new comes up.

On the contrary, if the machine only has 4GB RAM, there may not be enough idle RAM, and programs will have to move data between the hard drive and memory.

How much RAM does computer usually use while idle?

Microsoft claims that Windows can use up to 3GB of RAM when it is idle. In reality, Windows 10 typically uses about 1 to 2GB of RAM (in case of installed 4 or 8GB RAM in PC) when it is idle. This can vary, however, when you have many apps open or you have a lot of different windows open at the same time.

If you have 16 or 32GB of RAM installed, Windows 10 will use a little bit of your extra RAM, based on your idle needs. It is also worth noting that the amount of RAM used by Windows 10 can change over time as new updates are released and new programs are installed.

What percentage should your RAM be running at idle?

On average, Windows 10 uses up to 20 to 25% of RAM at idle, this is a little bit more than Windows 8 (which uses an average of 10% RAM). Its a pretty normal amount of RAM usage and you should not be worried.

Also, the amount of RAM in use by the operating system will depend on whether the computer is connected to the internet and if it has any programs running in the background, such as antivirus software, backup software, music players, or video games.

On an idle laptop, for example, the amount of RAM in use will be relatively small, since there isn’t very much running in the background.

If the amount of RAM increases over time, you might have some problems with your hard drive. You can do a diagnostic scan of your hard drive at its performance setting.

How much idle RAM Usage is too much & its Reasons?

There is no definitive number, as it depends on the specific system and usage patterns. So, the main reasons behind spiking RAM at idle usage mentioned below:

1. One of the most common reasons for high RAM usage is due to a memory leak, it happens when a piece of software isn’t properly releasing memory back to the system after it’s done using it. This can cause the system to slowly start using more and more RAM until it eventually becomes overloaded.

2. High RAM usage is due to having too many programs open at the same time. When you have a lot of programs open, each one is using some of the system’s RAM. Eventually, this can lead to the system running out of RAM and start to slow down.

3. Due to fragmentation. When your system’s RAM gets fragmented, it means that there’s a lot of small pieces of RAM all over the place. This can make it harder for the system to access all of the RAM it needs, which can slow things down.

4. High RAM usage can also be caused by malware. Malware is often designed to use up as much of the system’s resources as possible in order to slow it down. If your system is infected with malware, it could be the cause of your high RAM usage.

5. Finally, high RAM usage can also be caused by a faulty driver. If there’s a driver that’s not working properly, it can cause the system to use up more RAM than it should. This can lead to high RAM usage and a slow system.

What is standby memory is using 2GB RAM even though idle RAM in use?

It’s normal! When you are working, your PC is copying necessary files so that all the time it can use them without wasting time on searching for them, and in case if you need more memory, these copies will be deleted (moved). And with 8Gb of RAM, 1.8Gb are used constantly, this is pretty usual.

For example, when you install and run new applications – your PC copies them to RAM (because hard disk speed is slower – and access time to HDD is several times larger that to RAM). Also your PC may need additional memory (usually 1.8Gb of RAM are reserved for it), if current situation requires more memory for the operation of CPU: more objects have to fit into cache (L1/L2) from main memory, or the newest high-quality textures have to be loaded into video card’s memory.

Thus, there is nothing wrong for Windows to reserve 1.8GB for RAM since 8GB is installed in your computer.

Bottom line

The above 11 methods can solve Windows 10 high memory usage caused by most common reasons. However, there are still other reasons to cause it and other methods to cause it.

If you have this problem and can’t solve it with the above methods, please leave a comment below for discussion. Surely, if you have better solutions for high memory usage, please leave a comment for sharing. Email to masudrana2003@gmail.com for help if you have problems in dealing with high memory usage.

Thanks for Reading...

Masud Rana