Memory leaks in Windows 10 can be frustrating, leading to slow performance, system crashes, or even application freezing. Fortunately, various troubleshooting methods can fix memory leaks.
We will walk you through the steps to identify and resolve memory leaks in your Windows 10 system.
What is a Memory Leak?
A memory leak occurs when a program or system continues consuming memory without releasing it after it’s no longer needed. This problem can degrade your computer’s performance, eventually making it run out of memory. Programs may become sluggish, and you might experience system crashes.
Common Causes of Memory Leaks in Windows 10
Memory leaks can be caused by several factors, including faulty software, outdated drivers, or misconfigured system settings. It can also result from running too many resource-intensive programs simultaneously.
9 Ways to Fix Memory Leaks in Windows 10
Scan for Malware and Viruses
Malicious software can often cause memory leaks by running hidden processes in the background, consuming your system’s resources. Scanning for malware is an essential first step in troubleshooting memory leaks.
- Install a reliable antivirus program or use Windows Defender.
- Run a full system scan.
- If any threats are detected, follow the prompts to remove them.
Or, consider investing in a third-party PC solution like Fortect, which offers advanced malware scanning and defense. Once installed, Fortect Premium automatically scans your Windows PC for issues like memory leaks and other threats. It detects and resolves these problems, providing real-time updates while optimizing your system for peak performance.
Download and install Fortect now.
Update Windows and Drivers
Outdated Windows versions or drivers can lead to memory leaks. Keeping your system updated ensures you have the latest patches and optimizations.
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
- Click Check for Updates and install any available updates.
- To update drivers, right-click on Start > Device Manager, find outdated drivers, right-click, and choose Update Driver.
Close Unnecessary Background Processes
Many programs run in the background without your awareness, consuming memory unnecessarily. Closing these programs can free up valuable system resources.
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Under the Processes tab, look for programs using large amounts of memory.
- Right-click the unnecessary processes and select End Task.
Disable Startup Programs
Too many startup programs can slow down your computer and contribute to memory leaks. Disabling unnecessary programs from starting automatically can prevent this.
- Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
- Go to the Startup tab.
- Right-click and turn off non-essential programs.
Adjust Virtual Memory Settings
Windows uses virtual memory as a temporary extension of RAM. Misconfigured virtual memory settings can contribute to memory leaks. Adjusting these settings can help improve performance.
- Right-click This PC and select Properties.
- Click on Advanced system settings > Settings under Performance.
- Select the Advanced tab and click Change under Virtual Memory.
- Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.
- You can set a custom size for virtual memory based on your RAM (usually 1.5 to 2 times the amount of physical RAM).
Run Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool
Faulty RAM can cause memory leaks. The Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool helps identify memory issues related to your system’s physical RAM.
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type mdsched.exe and press Enter.
- Choose Restart now and check for problems.
- After the Restart, Windows will run the diagnostic tool and display the results.
Disable Superfetch (SysMain) Service
Superfetch, also known as SysMain, is a Windows feature that improves system performance by preloading apps into memory. However, it can cause memory leaks in some cases.
- Press Windows + R type services. msc, and press Enter.
- Scroll down to SysMain or Superfetch.
- Right-click and select Stop.
Uninstall Problematic Programs
If you suspect a specific program is causing the memory leak, try uninstalling it to see if the issue persists.
- Go to Settings > Apps.
- Locate the program you believe is causing issues.
- Could you select it and click Uninstall?
Perform a Clean Boot
A clean boot starts Windows with only essential services and programs. This can help identify if third-party software is causing memory leaks.
- Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
- Under the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services and click Disable all.
- Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
- Turn off all startup programs.
- Restart your computer.
Conclusion
Memory leaks in Windows 10 can negatively impact your system’s performance, but you can identify and resolve the issue with these troubleshooting methods. From scanning for malware to adjusting virtual memory settings, these steps will help optimize your PC and prevent future memory leaks.
If the problem persists, consider seeking professional assistance or performing a fresh installation of Windows.
A Memory Leak is a misplacement of resources in a computer program due to faulty memory allocation. It happens when a RAM location not in use remains unreleased. A memory leak is not to be confused with a space leak or high memory usage, which refers to a program using more RAM than necessary. A memory leak on a Windows 11/10/8/7 system is said to have occurred when the memory is not accessible despite not being in use.
You should know that a Memory leak is an operating system or software issue to debug – for example, in Java, JavaScript, C/C++, Windows, etc. It is not to be confused with a space leak or high memory usage. Physically replacing RAM or hard disk isn’t required.
Why is a memory leak bad
A memory leak is bad because it is a bug, a flaw in the operating system or software. But let’s find out how exactly it affects the system:
- Since the memory is not freed even when not in use, it results in memory depletion.
- Exhaustion of the memory results in software aging.
- Reduced available memory leads to increased response time and poor performance by the system.
- An unchecked memory leak can eventually lead to the crash of an application.
In order to identify a memory leak, a programmer needs to have access to the source code of the program.
How to locate the memory leak
To solve a problem, we need to identify it first. The basic steps to locate a memory leak are:
- Affirmation: Determining whether a leak has occurred.
- Finding Kernel-mode memory leak: Locating a leak caused by a kernel-mode driver component.
- Finding User-mode memory leak: Locating a leak caused by a user-mode driver or app.
How does Memory allocation occur
There are different modes in which applications allocate RAM. If space is not freed after use, the memory leak will occur irrespective of the mode of allocation. Some common allocation patterns are:
- HealAlloc function for heap memory allocation. The C/C++ runtime equivalents are malloc and new.
- VirtualAlloc function for direct allocation from OS.
- Kernel32 APIs to hold kernel memory for the app. Example, CreateFile, CreateThread.
- User32 APIs and Gdi32 APIs.
How to prevent memory leaks in Windows
We all know prevention is better than cure, so it is important to monitor your system.
You need to watch for abnormal RAM usage by individual programs and applications. You can go to the Windows Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC and add the columns like Handles, User Objects, GDI Objects, etc.
This will help you easily monitor resource usage.
Read: What are the Types of Memory in a computer?
Microsoft tools to diagnose memory leaks
Various tools diagnose memory leaks for various allocation modes:
- Application Verifier diagnoses heap leaks.
- UMDH ( a component of Windows Debugging Tools) analyzes leaks for individual processes by monitoring heap memory allocations.
- Trace Capture for a thorough analysis of RAM usage.
- Xperf too tracks heap allocation patterns.
- CRT Debug Heap not only tracks heap allocations but also enables coding practices to minimize leaks.
- JavaScript Memory Leak Detector debugs memory leaks in codes.
Usage Tips
- Use kernel HANDLEs and other smart pointers for Win32 resources and heap allocations.
- Get classes for automatic resource management for kernel allocations from the ATL library. C++ standard has auto_ptr for heap allocations.
- Encapsulate COM interface pointers within “smart pointers” with the help of _com_ptr_t or _bstr_t or _variant_t.
- Monitor the .NET code for abnormal memory usage.
- Avoid multiple exit paths for functions to let allocations be freed from variables in most blocks by the end of a function.
- Use native exceptions only after freeing all allocations in the _finally block. Wrap all heap and handle allocations into smart pointers in order to use C++ exceptions.
- Always call the PropVariantClear function before reinitializing or discarding a PROPVARIANT object.
How to fix a Memory Leak in Windows 11/10
Just like the various ways to prevent memory leaks, there are various ways to stop memory leaks. But before you begin, remember to create a system restore point first.
1] Close processes and restart
If you see an unnecessary process taking up too much RAM, you can end the process in the Task Manager. You will need to restart the device so that the freed space is available for use by other processes. Without a Restart memory leak issue won’t be solved. Runtime Broker is one process that is known to slow down the PC. See if disabling that one alone works.
2] Memory Diagnostic Tools
To access the inbuilt Memory Diagnostic Tool for Windows:
- Save all your important work.
- Press Win + R to open the Run window.
- Type the command mdsched.exe in the Run window.
- Restart the PC.
- After a restart, perform a basic scan or go for the ‘Advanced’ options like ‘Test mix’ or ‘Pass count’.
- Press F10 to start the test.
These are still temporary fixes.
3] Check for Driver updates
Outdated drivers cause memory leaks. Keep all drivers updated. Follow one of the methods below to update your device drivers:
- You may check for Driver Updates via Windows Optional Updates to update your drivers
- You may visit the manufacturer’s site to download the drivers.
- Use a free driver update software
- If you have the INF driver file already on your computer then:
- Open Device Manager.
- Click the driver category to expand the menu.
- Then choose the relevant driver and right-click on it.
- Select Update Driver.
- Follow the on-screen wizard to finish updating your audio drivers.
Updating your operating system and the installed programs and Microsoft Store apps could help too.
4] Optimize performance
Adjusting Windows for performance will manage everything including processor scheduling and memory usage to stop memory leaks. Follow these steps:
- Right-click on ‘This PC’ and select ‘Advanced’ settings on the left pane.
- Under the ‘Advanced’ tab, go to ‘Performance’, followed by ‘Settings’.
- Check ‘Adjust for best performance’ and click OK.
- Restart and check if the issue is solved.
If this simple solution does not work, try the next solution.
5] Disable Programs running on Startup
Disabling the troublesome programs is the only way to get rid of the memory leak issue. Go to Task Manager and disable the troublemaking program. If you don’t know which programs are creating the trouble, do this:
- Go to ‘Task Manager’.
- Go to ‘Startup’.
- Disable the startup programs you don’t need to run by default.
6] Defrag Hard Drive
Although Windows 11/10 does this for you automatically, you may need to defrag the hard drives occasionally to optimize performance:
- Go to ‘This PC’ or ‘My Computer’.
- Right-Click the system hard drive (usually C: drive).
- Go to ‘Tools‘ under ‘Properties‘ and select ‘Optimize’.
- Select the drive to defrag and select ‘Analyze’.
Restart your computer after the new fragmentation.
7] ClearPage File at shutdown
It is getting complex now – but don’t worry. Here’s how to clear the Page File at every shutdown:
- Type regedit on Search to launch the Registry Editor.
- Enter this path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlSession ManagerMemory Management
- Change the value of ClearPageFileAtShutDown to ‘1’.
- Save the changes and Restart the device.
This ought to do it. Do remember that your shutdown process will take a little more time.
9] Disable Superfetch
This Windows Service optimizes performance by minimizing boot time. It lets Windows manage RAM usage. Life after disabling Superfetch is not convenient but do it if you must. At least try this alone to isolate the problem:
- Search services.msc and go to Services Manager.
- Look for ‘Superfetch’ and right-click it to go to ‘Properties’.
- Select ‘Stop’.
- Also ‘Disable’ the service from the drop-down menu.
- Restart the PC and check if the performance has improved.
Enable Superfetch if this one doesn’t work.
10] Check for malware
Use a third-party antivirus software or Windows in-house Microsoft Defender to scan and eliminate malware. Ensure the antivirus is updated to support your OS so that it doesn’t become the reason for the memory leak.
Every solution you might need to find or prevent memory leaks is here. You can read more about memory leaks on MSDN and Microsoft.
Read: Memory leak issue in Remote Registry Service causes Windows to hang.
Fixing a memory leak in Windows 10 can seem daunting, but it’s actually quite manageable if you follow a few straightforward steps. Essentially, you’ll be identifying and mitigating processes or apps that are consuming an abnormal amount of memory. This involves using built-in tools like Task Manager and Resource Monitor to track down the culprits and then taking appropriate actions to resolve the issue.
Here’s a detailed guide to help you fix a memory leak in Windows 10. By the end of these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve most memory leak issues.
Step 1: Open Task Manager
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Task Manager is your first stop in identifying memory leaks. It lets you see which applications are using the most memory.
Step 2: Go to the Processes Tab
Click on the Processes tab to see a list of running applications and their memory usage.
Here, you can sort the processes by memory usage by clicking on the «Memory» column header. This makes it easier to spot the culprits.
Step 3: Identify High Memory Usage Processes
Look for processes that are using an unusually high amount of memory.
Compare the memory usage of these processes with what you know to be normal. If something stands out, it could be causing the memory leak.
Step 4: End the Problematic Process
Right-click on the process and select «End Task» to stop it.
Ending the task is a temporary solution to free up memory. However, for a permanent fix, you may need to update or reinstall the problematic software.
Step 5: Use Resource Monitor
Open Resource Monitor by clicking on «Open Resource Monitor» at the bottom of the Task Manager.
Resource Monitor provides a more detailed view of resource usage, allowing you to pinpoint less obvious memory leaks.
Step 6: Check for Software Updates
Go to the software’s official website or use its built-in updater to check for updates.
Often, memory leaks are caused by bugs that have been fixed in later versions of the software.
Step 7: Reinstall Problematic Software
Uninstall and then reinstall the software that you identified as problematic.
Reinstalling the software can reset settings and remove corrupted files that might be causing the memory leak.
Completing these steps should free up your system’s memory and make your computer run smoother. You may need to repeat these steps periodically to keep your system optimized.
Tips to Fix a Memory Leak in Windows 10
- Regularly update your software to ensure you have the latest bug fixes.
- Keep an eye on memory usage using Task Manager and Resource Monitor.
- Consider using a dedicated performance monitoring tool for more advanced features.
- Disable startup programs that you don’t use often to free up memory at boot.
- Run a malware scan, as some malicious programs can cause memory leaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the signs of a memory leak?
Common signs include slow performance, frequent crashes, and high memory usage even when few applications are running.
Can a memory leak damage my computer?
While it won’t physically damage your hardware, it can make your system almost unusable until the issue is resolved.
Is Task Manager enough to fix a memory leak?
Task Manager is a good starting point, but Resource Monitor and other performance monitoring tools can offer more detailed insights.
Do I need to reinstall Windows 10 to fix a memory leak?
Reinstalling Windows should be a last resort. Most memory leaks can be resolved by updating or reinstalling problematic software.
Can antivirus software help?
Yes, running a full malware scan can help identify and remove malicious software that might be causing the memory leak.
Summary
- Open Task Manager.
- Go to the Processes tab.
- Identify high memory usage processes.
- End the problematic process.
- Use Resource Monitor.
- Check for software updates.
- Reinstall problematic software.
Conclusion
Memory leaks in Windows 10 can be a real headache, but they’re often fixable with a little patience and the right tools. By following these steps, you should be able to identify and correct most memory-related issues on your computer.
Keeping your software up-to-date and regularly monitoring your system’s performance are key habits for preventing memory leaks. And remember, if a particular piece of software is consistently causing problems, it might be worth looking for an alternative.
For further reading, consider diving into detailed guides on using Resource Monitor or exploring advanced performance monitoring tools. Your computer’s performance can significantly improve by just keeping an eye on how resources are being used. So, take control, and keep your Windows 10 running smoothly!
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.
You are here: Home / Windows / How To Locate And Fix Windows 10 Memory Leak? – Complete Guide
Windows 10 is the most popular desktop OS in the world, overtaking the predecessor Windows 7 by the end of 2018. Now, Windows 10 has also become the most used desktop OS. Apart from all this success, Windows 10 also has plenty of bugs and errors. One issue that has been prevalent for Windows users is the memory leak problem.
A memory leak occurs due to faulty memory allocation as RAM remains unreleased. This can be quite troubling as Windows will consume much higher system resources than normal because of this. In this article, I have discussed how to fix Windows 10 memory leak. After following the troubleshooting methods given in this article, the issue of memory leak in Windows 10 should get fixed for you.
We have shown a VIDEO walk through at the end of the post for easy solution.
What Causes A Memory Leak And Why It Is Bad?
As mentioned above, memory leaks occur due to faulty memory allocation as RAM remains unreleased. In other words, the system fails to use the memory, even it is not in use because some process or application failed to release the block of RAM to the system’s memory manager after it was done with it.
This is terrible as your system now has to run other processes with less memory. Here are all the problems you will face because of memory leak in Windows 10:
- Memory leak will lead to less free memory for idle tasks.
- It will slow down your system as less memory is available for allocation to all the running processes.
- Some applications can fail to run properly or even crash as they won’t have sufficient memory to remain open.
- This will strain your system resources and if it happens for a long period, it can potentially harm your PC’s hardware.
How To Check For Memory Leaks On Windows 10?
When your Windows 10 leaks memory, you will see signs like system slowing down, or basically any of the problems mentioned above. However, these issues can occur due to other reasons also. To confirm whether it is a memory leak, you can use the following methods.
- Resource Monitor tool.
- Memory Diagnostic tool.
- RaMMap tool.
Using The Resource Monitor To Detect Memory Leak
To use the Resource Monitor for detecting memory leak in Windows 10, follow the steps given below:
- Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run utility.
- Type resmon in the search box and press Enter to open the Resource Monitor.
- Select the Memory tab and monitor the Standby bar (blue bar) to check for a memory leak.
Using The Memory Diagnostic Tool To Detect Memory Leak
To run the Memory Diagnostic tool, follow the steps given below:
- Open the Run utility.
- Type mdsched.exe and press Enter.
- Select the Restart now option.
Your computer will restart and the Memory Diagnostic tool will run at boot, thoroughly checking your memory for issues.
Using The RaMMAp Tool To Detect Memory Leak
RaMMap is a Microsoft tool that can be used to check how your Windows is assigning the RAM and cache. You can click on this link and download the tool. After downloading it, right-click on the tool and select the Run as administrator option. Now it will check your PC for lost memory.
Now that you know what causes the Windows 10 memory leak and how you can check it, it’s time to learn how to troubleshoot it. It is extremely important that you fix the memory leak as quickly as possible, otherwise, it can damage your PC. Here is how to fix memory leak in Windows 10.
Solution 1: Close Processes That Are Consuming Too Much Memory
The first thing you can try is to close the applications or system processes that are consuming more memory than they should. This can be done using the Task Manager. To use the Task Manager for closing down processes, follow the steps given below:
- Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Select the Processes tab.
- Locate all the applications or system processes that are hogging more memory than they should and right-click on them.
- Select the End Task option from the right-click context menu to close these processes.
Solution 2: Update Drivers
Outdated drivers are known to be responsible for various issues and Windows 10 memory leak is one of them. It is best to always keep to the drivers updated. To update your drivers, follow the steps given below:
- Open the Run utility by pressing the Windows + R keys.
- Type devmgmt.msc and press Enter. This will open the Device Manager.
- Locate the outdated drivers and right-click on them.
- Select the Update Driver option from the right-click context menu.
- Click on the Search automatically for drivers
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
After updating the drivers, restart your computer. Now check whether Windows 10 memory leak persists.
Solution 3: Run The Memory Diagnostic Scan
The Memory diagnostic tool can not only be used to find the memory leak issue but also to fix it. Follow the steps given below to run the Memory Diagnostic tool:
- Open the Run utility.
- Type mdsched.exe and press Enter.
- Select the Restart now and check for problems (recommended) option.
- After your computer reboots into the Memory diagnostic tool menu, you can perform a basic scan.
- Also, you can select the Advanced options like the Pass count or Test mix.
- Press the F10 key to start the tool.
Now the memory diagnostic tool will run. It will locate and fix the bad sectors in the memory and should also fix the Windows 10 memory leak issue.
Solution 4: Check For Malware
Hidden malware are known for causing a plethora of PC related problems, including memory leak. Malware tends to hide in your PC by disguising as other apps and cause an improper memory allocation issue.
To get rid of malware, you need a strong antivirus. Malwarebytes is one of the best anti-malware software. You download and run it in your PC to get rid of all hidden malware.
Other than that, if you don’t want to the hassle of installing 3rd party antivirus, you run the Microsoft offline scan on the native Windows Defender. The offline scan is quite powerful and should get rid of all the hidden malware in your PC. To run the Windows Defender, follow the steps given below:
- Type Windows Security in the Start menu and select the top result.
- Click on the Virus and Threat protection option.
- Select the Scan options.
- Scroll down and select the Microsoft Defender Offline Scan option and click on the Scan now option.
- Windows will start the scan and restart after it is finished. This scan will take some time, so remember to do it when you have time in your hands.
Solution 5: Defrag Your Hard Disk
Your hard disk is generally defragged by Windows 10 automatically. However, you can still do it manually in order to fix the memory leak issue as quickly as possible. To defrag manually on Windows 10, follow the steps given below:
- Open My Computer from the desktop.
- Right-click on the System drive.
- Select the Properties option from the right-click context menu.
- Click on the Tools tab and select the Optimize option in the optimize and defragment drive section.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Solution 6: Try A Registry Tweak
Many users have reported that clearing the PageFile.sys that Windows uses as virtual memory, fixes the memory leak issue. You can clear it from the Windows Registry. Before you try this solution, you need to back up the registry keys.
Having a backup of registry keys will help you if you make any mistake following the steps given below. Windows Registry has all the settings of Windows, so even a simple mistake can lead to your system crashing.
To clear the PafeFile.sys by tweaking the Registry keys, follow the steps given below:
- Open the Run utility.
- Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to the following Registry key:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management - On the right-panel, double-click on the ClearPageFileAtShutdown value.
- Change the value data to 1 and click on OK.
- Restart your PC.
After your PC restarts, the memory leak issue should be fixed.
Wrapping Up
So, there you have it. Now you know how to fix Windows 10 memory leak. The above solutions should help you fix this issue. If you have any more questions regarding this article, ask them in the comment section below.
Memory is important for your system to function properly. Your system will not perform at its best if you don’t have enough memory or RAM. You’ll probably notice your computer slowing down or your applications getting crashed. If this is the case, it’s time to go through your applications to see what’s eating up all your RAM and causing memory leaks in Windows.
This guide will discuss how memory leaks in Windows happen and how to prevent them. But before moving on, let’s agree on what a memory leak is.
What is a Memory Leak in Windows 10/11?
A memory leak results from incorrect memory management when a program fails to release the memory they no longer need so that some other programs can use it. In addition, memory leaks in Windows add up over time, and if they are not cleaned up, your system eventually runs out of memory.
RAM is known for temporarily storing and accessing your system data. In addition, the exchange of RAM between different processes helps your system run smoothly. Sometimes due to an error, if the process refuses to release the RAM, this is known as a memory leak.
How Do I Know If My PC Has a Memory Leak?
If your system is running low on RAM, you may receive a warning message –»running out of memory.» You may even experience the following problems :
- Unable to launch additional programs as there is no free memory left
- Random crashing and freezing of already running programs
- Your computer begins to slow down and become unresponsive
You can find memory leaks in Windows by looking at your PC’s RAM usage or using the Performance Monitor. Check which program is eating up your computer by following these steps:
- Press CTRL + Shift + Esc key together to launch Task Manager.
- Now in the Memory tab, you can see the memory hogging processes.
What are the Consequences of PC Memory Leak?
Memory Leak consequences vary from client applications (desktops and mobile phones) to server applications.
- For client applications, the memory allocated is released once the application showing problems is terminated. However, your system might get slow or crash due to excessive memory usage, and apps will close abruptly.
- The server application’s memory leaks worsen as the servers are not restarted so frequently. Memory consumption over that period may lead to performance degradation, eventually leading your server to stop working.
How to Prevent Memory Leaks in Windows 10/11?
- Ensure you have enough RAM, and if required, install more.
- Try running fewer programs at a time and closing unnecessary programs.
- Keep a check on how many tabs you open in the browser, as they use too much memory. The more tabs you open, the more RAM your web browser needs.
- Use Resource Monitor to monitor how much memory is being used, and help to detect and diagnose memory leaks in Windows 10/11.
How to Fix Memory Leaks?
When Windows 11 memory leak occurs, you can’t work on other tasks on your system, as it doesn’t have enough RAM to work with. Follow the steps given below to fix the memory leak in Windows 10/11:
1. Close the Problematic App & Restart Your Computer
The best way to fix memory leaks in Windows is by closing the program and processes that are eating up the most memory.
- Press CTRL + Shift + Esc key together to launch Task Manager.
- Click on the Processes and find the program using most memory from the list.
- Click on EndTask to close the program.
The program is now closed, but it doesn’t mean your PC memory leak problem is solved. Therefore, you need to restart your PC so your RAM gets empty when turned off, which will wipe away the memory leak issue.
2. Disable Startup Programs
If your PC shows a memory leak when you turn it on, your startup app might be the culprit. You can disable the problematic app at Startup so it won’t open when you turn on your PC.
- Press CTRL + Shift + Esc key together to open Task Manager.
- Click on the Startup
- Navigate to the program you don’t want to run on Start-up and click Disable.
- Now Restart your PC.
3. Use Memory Diagnostic Tools
Windows 10/11 comes with a built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic tool used to scan and fix the RAM issue of your PC.
- Click Start, type Windows Memory Diagnostic in the search bar, and click Open.
- Choose the option of ‘Restart now and check for problems.’
- Your system will reboot into the Memory Diagnostic Tool and run a basic memory test.
- Once the test is completed, check the result for any errors.
- Hit the Esc button to exit the tool and boot into Windows.
You can even use the built-in tool Resource Monitor to scan your system for potential memory issues and try to fix all detected problems.
- Type Resource Monitor in search and click Open.
- Click on the Memory tab to track the real-time memory usage by your system.
- Examine the cause of the problem and try to fix it.
4. Adjust for Best Performance
You can adjust the setting of your Windows PC with the best performance option.
- Type View Advanced System Settings in the Windows search and click Open.
- Go to the Advanced tab and click the Settings option under Performance.
- Check the Adjust for Best Performance box, click OK, and then restart your PC.
5. Defrag hard drives
Defragmenting the hard drive optimizes the computer’s hard drive and results in amazing memory management.
- Go to This PC.
- Right-click on the current system hard drive (i.e., C: drive) and click Properties.
- Go to Tools and then click Optimize.
- Select the drive you want to defrag and click Optimize.
- Wait for the process to end and then restart your PC.
6. Update Your Device Drivers
Outdated drivers can be responsible for causing various issues, including memory leaks in Windows 10. In this case, you should update all your device drivers to the latest versions.
- Type Device Manager in the Windows search bar and click Open to launch it.
- Look for the device driver that needs to be updated on the Device Manager window.
- Right-click on the device and click on Update driver.
- Select the option of ‘Search automatically fordrivers’ on the ‘How you want to search for drivers.’
- Install the new device drivers, if available.
- Once drivers are installed, restart your PC.
7. Run an Antivirus Scan
Sometimes, viruses or malware use RAM, leading to Windows 11 memory leak problems. Use the built-in Windows antivirus tool – Window Defender, to scan and remove viruses from your PC. If you have third-party antivirus software, try using it also.
- Click the Start menu, type Windows Security in the search bar, and click Open.
- Choose Virus & threat protection on the left pane.
- Select Scan options from the right pane, choose Full Scan and click Scan Now.
- Wait for the antivirus tool to scan your entire system.
8. Disable Windows Tips and Tricks
Windows 10/11 tips and tricks feature help user know how to use the system and guide them with additional options. Disabling it might help solve the Windows memory leak issue.
- Go to the Start menu and click Settings.
- Select the System and click Notifications& actions.
- Navigate to ‘Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows and uncheck it.
9. Disable Runtime Broker
The Windows process Runtime Broker manages apps’ permission from the Microsoft Store on your system. By default, this process uses a small amount of memory, but the faulty app can cause Runtime Broker to use too much memory, which can significantly slow down your PC or cause system crashes.
- Press CTRL + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager.
- Click the Processes tab and locate Runtime Broker Process.
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- Right-click on it and select End Task to close it.
10. Disable Sysmain on Windows 10/11
The sysmain feature in Windows 10/11 automatically loads the frequently used apps or programs in the RAM, which makes launching those apps faster.You can turn off the Sysmain feature in Windows while witnessing any RAM issue to see if it makes any difference. Then, of course, you can always re-enable it later.
- Press Windows + R key together to open the Run.
- Type services.msc and click OK.
- In the Services window, search Sysmain, right-click on it, and select Stop.
To make sure that Sysmain doesn’t run during Startup, disable it.
- Right-click on the service and choose Properties.
- Select Disabled next to Startup type.
- Click Apply, followed by OK, and then close the Services
How Much Memory Should My Computer Have?
4GB is the standard RAM size in a computer, but don’t open several applications simultaneously, and expect it will not affect the performance. Instead, you can also go for a System that sports 8GB RAM; it comes in handy during multitasking. On the other hand, if you are running intensive processes like video editing programs and games, go for 16 GB or 32 GB.
You should consider three things while buying a new laptop or computer – the optimum memory configuration, usage patterns, and hardware. Of course, the more RAM your PC has, the better.
Conclusion
During a memory leak, your system may begin to lag and even crash, resulting in your data being lost. Use Stellar Data Recovery Professionals for Windows to recover your lost data in this scenario.
Memory leaks are common in Windows since we continuously use one or more applications.Its is pretty easy to check the source of the memory leak by checking which program is consuming most memory.
If you see a memory leak in your Windows, apply the techniques, we’ve discussed to fix your PC’s memory leaks problem. Also, use preventive measures to avoid memory leaks in the future.
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