How To Free Up Memory Usage On PC: 15 Effective & Easy Ways to Fix it

If your PC or laptop is running slow, one of the first things you should check is the memory usage. If your computer doesn’t have enough memory available, it will start to swap files from your hard drive to virtual memory, which will significantly slow down performance.

so, how to free up memory usage on pc? There are a few easy ways to free up memory and improve performance. Here are 15 of the most effective:

1. Close unused programs and windows

how to free up memory usage on pc
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The first step is to close any unused programs and windows. Every program that’s open uses some amount of memory, so by closing unnecessary programs, you can free up a significant amount of memory.

2. Delete any unnecessary files.

Another way to free up memory is to delete any unnecessary files. This includes temporary files, caches, and old downloads.

3. Empty your browser’s cache

Your web browser stores a cache of images and files from websites you visit. Clearing the cache can free up a significant amount of memory.

4. Empty your recycle bin.

When you delete files, they’re not actually gone forever. They’re moved to the recycle bin, which still takes up space on your hard drive. Emptying the recycle bin will free up that space.

5. Defragment your hard drive

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Over time, your hard drive can become fragmented, with files scattered around in small pieces. This can make your computer slower because the hard drive has to work harder to find and piece together the files it needs. Defragmenting your hard drive will fix this issue and improve performance.

6. Disable any unnecessary start-up programs

When you turn on your computer, a number of programs are automatically launched. These programs use up memory and can slow down your computer. If there are any programs you don’t need to start automatically, disable them in the start-up settings.

7. Adjust your virtual memory settings

Virtual memory is a file on your hard drive that’s used as extra RAM. If your computer is low on physical RAM, it will use virtual memory to store temporary files. If your virtual memory is too low, it can cause your computer to run slowly. You can adjust the settings to give your computer more or less virtual memory.

8. Scan for malware

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Malware is malicious software that can infect your computer and cause all sorts of problems. One of the ways malware can slow down your computer is by using up memory resources. Running a malware scan can help remove any infected files and speed up your computer.

9. Update your drivers

Another way to improve performance is to make sure you have the latest drivers for all your hardware devices. Outdated drivers can cause compatibility issues and lead to performance problems.

10. Upgrade your RAM

If you’ve tried all of the above tips and your computer is still running slow, one of the best things you can do is upgrade your RAM. This is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to give your computer a significant performance boost.

11. Check for spyware.

how to free up memory usage on pc
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Spyware is software that gathers information about you without your knowledge or consent. It can track your web browsing habits, the programs you use, and even the passwords you enter. Spyware can slowing down your computer by using up valuable resources. Running a spyware scan can help remove any infected files and speed up your computer.

12. Use a disk cleanup utility.

Disk cleanup utilities can help you remove temporary files, old downloads, and other unnecessary files to free up space on your hard drive. This can help improve performance by giving your computer more room to work with.

13. Use a Registry cleaner.

The Windows Registry is a database that stores all kinds of information about your computer. Over time, it can become cluttered with errors and unnecessary entries. This can slow down your computer by making it harder for the system to find the files it needs. A Registry cleaner can help fix these issues and improve performance.

14. Check for hardware issues.

Sometimes, slow performance is caused by hardware problems. Things like a failing hard drive or bad RAM can cause your computer to run slowly. If you suspect there might be a hardware issue, you can run a diagnostic test to check for problems.

15. Reinstall Windows.

how to free up memory usage on pc
Image credit: Microsoft support

If you’ve tried all of the above tips and your computer is still running slowly, one of the last things you can try is a complete reinstall of Windows. This will erase everything on your hard drive and start fresh. Make sure you back up your files before doing this!

Conclusion about How To Free Up Memory Usage On PC

If your computer is running slow, there are a number of things you can try to speed it up. Often, simply cleaning up your hard drive or adjusting your start-up programs can make a big difference. If those don’t help, more drastic measures like upgrading your RAM or reinstalling Windows may be necessary. Either way, there are plenty of options available to help get your computer running at its best.

1. Open the Start menu and type “run” in the search bar.

2. In the Run dialog box, type “msconfig” and hit Enter.

3. In the System Configuration window, go to the Startup tab.

4. Disable any programs that you don’t need to run at start-up.

5. Click OK and restart your computer.

6. Open the Start menu and type “Disk Cleanup” in the search bar.

7. In the Disk Cleanup window, select the files you want to delete and click OK.

8. In the confirmation window, click Delete files.

9. Open the Start menu and type “defrag” in the search bar.

10. In the Defragmentation window, select the drive you want to defragment and click Analyze.

11. Once the analysis is complete, click Defragment.

12. Open the Start menu and type “control panel” in the search bar.

13. In the Control Panel window, go to System and Security > System.

14. In the left pane, click Advanced system settings.

15. In the Performance section, click Settings.

16. In the Performance Options window, go to the Advanced tab.

17. In the Virtual memory section, click Change.

18. In the Virtual Memory window, uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives and click OK.

19. Select the drive you want to change and enter a custom size in the Initial size (MB) and Maximum size (MB) boxes.

20. Click Set and then click OK.

21. Open the Start menu and type “Device Manager” in the search bar.

22. In the Device Manager window, expand the category for the devices you want to update.

23. Right-click the device and select Update Driver Software.

24. In the Update Driver Software window, select Search automatically for updated driver software.

25. Windows will search for and install any updated drivers.

26. Open the Start menu and type “Check Disk” in the search bar.

27. In the Check Disk window, select the drive you want to check and click OK.

28. In the confirmation window, click Schedule disk check.

29. Restart your computer and wait for the check to complete.

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