When the RAM of your PC is used up, you'll start to notice that it will become hard for the system to complete certain tasks. Also, if applications start to crash on their own, it might be time to free up RAM on your PC. The following article provides some tips to help you free up RAM.
1. Restart your computer
This tip is very popular, but that's because it is quite effective. Restarting your PC will clear the programs that were running, thereby clearing your RAM. This is particularly helpful as some processes might have been running without you knowing. and restarting your PC will close these programs.
2. Check your RAM usage
To truly know what you're up against, you should check just how much of your RAM is being used. If you own a laptop with Windows (e.g. 4GB Lenovo laptops), you can check by opening the task manager (search for it from the start menu). To see more details, expand the tab to full view, look for the Processes tab, and click the Memory header. You should now be able to sort all the processes from the least to the most RAM usage. This way, you'll be able to see which applications and processes are using the most RAM.
3. Disable or uninstall dormant software
Now you know which programs are taking up your RAM, you should determine if you actually use all of them. If you don't, then it is better that you either uninstall them or disable any unneeded software. You can do this by going to the Apps & Features tab in Settings. However, if you want to keep some of these applications, but you don't use them regularly, you can prevent them from running automatically when you start up your laptop.
4. Check for malware
If you notice that your RAM just disappears at intervals, it might be wise to scan your machine for malware. Any rogue software that steals resources will obviously do the same to your RAM. In the event that you find malware, make an effort to get rid of it as soon as possible.
5. Update your software
It is important that you update your applications and software for security reasons. However, this could also be helpful in reducing your RAM use. This is because a handful of apps can be affected by memory leaks. This happens when a program fails to return RAM after it is done with it. In the long run, apps like this will end up using a lot of RAM – which will lead to other programs not getting enough RAM.
6. Install additional RAM
If you've tried almost everything without success, then it might be time to get more RAM for your laptop. Even though it will cost a considerable amount, adding more RAM to your PC will ensure that it can perform more efficiently. It should be noted, though, that you cannot download more RAM: this is genuinely not an option. It is easier to install more RAM on a desktop, but it is more complicated with a laptop due to the amount of space. However, it is still possible.