In today’s fast-paced world, efficient system speed is vitally important. Many of us may take our ability to multitask on our devices for granted, but unfortunately, this is not always the case. When our RAM cannot keep up, we experience sluggish system performance, which can be frustrating and make it difficult to switch seamlessly between applications. While it may be tempting to eliminate RAM usage completely, this should not be your goal. Instead, focus on identifying and removing any unnecessary drains on your RAM to ensure that your system operates at peak efficiency. This article provides 11 effective ways to reduce your RAM usage, helping you get the most out of your device.
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What is RAM and Its Usage?
In order to understand how to decrease your RAM usage, it is important to have a basic knowledge of what RAM is. RAM, or Random Access Memory, is your computer’s short-term memory. It is called “random access” because data can be accessed in any order, rather than sequentially. RAM is a temporary storage space where your computer stores data and information that you are actively using for easy and quick access.
Efficient RAM usage is the key to multitasking seamlessly across different functions and applications on your computer. RAM plays a significant role in almost all of your computer’s functionality, ranging from loading apps to browsing the internet and beyond.
RAM is in contrast to your computer’s long-term memory, such as the hard drive or SDD. RAM serves as your computer’s short-term memory, and anything stored in it is cleared when the computer is turned off.
Role of RAM in Affecting Computer’s Performance
In general, the amount of RAM available on your computer affects its performance by impacting its speed and efficiency. Insufficient RAM can have a negative impact on the smooth running of your device. In case you observe that your computer is running slower than usual, you may consider implementing some measures to decrease RAM usage and improve performance.
13 Ways to Decrease Your RAM Usage
Generally, the performance of your computer is impacted by the amount of RAM available, and an increase in RAM can lead to a smoother and faster-running device. On the other hand, insufficient RAM is known to be a major factor that can negatively impact computer operations. In the event that you experience slow operation of your device, there are several approaches that you can try to reduce RAM usage and optimize its performance.
Update your applications
It is essential to update apps regularly to maintain security, and doing so can also help reduce RAM usage. Some applications may experience memory leaks, wherein the program fails to return RAM to the system after usage. This results in a gradual increase in RAM usage, leaving fewer resources for other apps on the device. Upgrading an app to the latest version can often resolve this issue. Furthermore, newer versions of apps can include optimizations that decrease overall RAM usage.
Try Windows feature ReadyBoost to add more RAM
If your computer has limited RAM due to its age, utilizing a lesser-known Windows feature called ReadyBoost can assist in increasing RAM functionality. By plugging in a flash drive or SD card, you can effectively utilize it as extra RAM. However, the usefulness of this feature is limited nowadays. If your computer incorporates an SSD, ReadyBoost is unlikely to have a significant impact since the SSD operates faster than a flash drive. Therefore, using the paging file is more efficient than treating the USB drive as RAM.
Due to the increase in RAM capacity in modern computer systems, the use of ReadyBoost may not have a significant impact on performance as it would on older, weaker systems. Assigning extra RAM through ReadyBoost does not provide the same level of performance improvement as actually adding physical RAM to the system. Therefore, ReadyBoost can only significantly increase RAM functionality on older systems. For newer systems, the only way to increase RAM capacity is by adding physical RAM to the computer.
Uninstall or Disable unnecessary software
Once you have identified which applications utilize the most RAM on your system, consider if you actually use them. Removing programs that are seldom-used is an effective way to decrease RAM usage.
Applications that continue running in the background despite not being opened for several months are needlessly using up system resources and should be uninstalled. You can do it easily by going to Settings > Apps > Apps & features and then clicking Uninstall on any application you want to uninstall or remove from system.
If you wish to keep an app on your device despite infrequent use, you can prevent the program from running at startup instead of uninstalling it. Unnecessary system resource consumption occurs when applications self-assign automatic startup upon each login, which is undesired for seldom-used apps. Preventing these types of apps from automatically launching can help optimize your device’s performance.
Restart your PC
Restarting your device is an age-old technique for improving device performance by clearing the RAM. While this method does not increase the overall RAM capacity, it is a simple and effective way to speed up your system. It is important to maintain the habit of restarting your computer regularly to ensure that RAM usage is not slowed down with needless data and to keep the device running smoothly.
Check which software or applications are draining your RAM
Determining which programs are consuming excess RAM no longer needs to involve guesswork. Opening up the Windows Task Manager or Mac Activity Monitor will showcase which applications are the principal culprits, and which are not used yet still consume RAM when running in the background.
Cut down applications running in background
If you find that certain programs are running in the background without your knowledge and using up your RAM, it may be prudent to uninstall them. Alternatively, if you do occasionally utilize these applications, it’s always a good idea to make certain they are not set to launch upon startup, so they don’t continue to consume RAM resources even when you’re not using your computer.
Use less RAM-intensive applications
While it may not always be feasible, utilizing lightweight applications that don’t require significant RAM resources can effectively decrease RAM usage. Choosing a lightweight application that offers the same features but is not as resource-intensive can be an excellent alternative. Programs such as Photoshop are widely known for their high RAM consumption. By opting for a lighter program, the overall performance of your computer can potentially improve.
Close applications when not in use
Another simple and efficient solution is to close and quit programs that you’re not actively using. It’s a beneficial practice to be wary of which applications are running to optimize your RAM. For instance, leaving a browser tab open for future use is a common occurrence among most individuals. However, an alternative to this habit would be to bookmark the page, and then close the tab to free up RAM memory resources.
Change your browser
Google Chrome is known for consuming high amounts of RAM memory. Therefore, transitioning to a different browser can potentially be an effortless solution to decrease RAM usage. Additionally, uninstalling any unused browser extensions can reduce the drain on your RAM memory, which can be accomplished readily.
Clear your cache memory
The cache temporarily holds the data of previously visited web pages in RAM, which allows for quicker reloading of pages during subsequent visits. However, this may result in RAM usage, which can affect the device’s performance. Clearing the cache will free up space and improve the device’s speed, while requiring the web page to download its information again at the next visit.
Scan for malware
If you’re still encountering full RAM capacity issues even after making adjustments, it’s advisable to inspect your device for malware. Since fileless malware can exist in your RAM, it can occupy a substantial portion of your device’s memory capacity. Detecting malware on your system necessitates taking the necessary steps to eradicate it from your device.
Adjust virtual memory in Windows
If you’re receiving notifications about low virtual memory on your computer, you can easily alleviate the pressure on your RAM. On a Windows device, locate virtual memory under the advanced settings and manually set your initial and maximum size. If you are using a Mac, access the Memory panel in your Control Panel to make the same adjustments. This will address the notification and relieve pressure on your computer’s RAM.
Install more RAM
If you genuinely aim to enhance the overall capacity of your RAM, purchasing replacement RAM and installing it physically into your system is an option. With proper research, the process can be manageable and not overly complicated.