memory usage

Check your memory and memory usage

When it comes to memory, one of the first things to do is find out how much memory (RAM) you have and how much of it is currently being used. You can find out these things and much more in Task Manager.


To check memory and memory usage

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, and then select Task Manager.
2. In Task Manager, select More details > the Performance tab > Memory.
3. Total amount of memory (RAM)
4. Memory in use

If you find that a lot of your RAM is regularly in use, you might want to consider adding more RAM if you can—especially if your PC only has 1 or 2 gigabytes (GB) of RAM. To learn more about what kind of RAM your PC model uses, first look at the memory information in Task Manager, and then Visit the PC manufacturer’s website for more specific info.

1. Type of memory (RAM) PC uses
2. RAM speed
3. Memory slots used

Here’s some info about the minimum memory requirements for Windows 10:

1. Windows 10 (32-bit) can run on a PC with 1 GB of RAM, but it runs better with 2 GB. For better performance, add memory so you have 3 GB or more.
2. Windows 10 (64-bit) can run on a PC with 2 GB of RAM, but it runs better with 4 GB. For better performance, add memory so you have 6 GB or more.
3. For more info about the system requirements for Windows 10, see the Windows 10 Specifications page.

Disable unnecessary startup programs

When you turn on your PC, some programs start automatically and run in the background. You can disable these programs, so they don’t run when your PC starts up.

Many programs are designed to start automatically when Windows starts. Software manufacturers often set their programs to open in the background, so you don’t see them running, but so they'll open quickly when you go to use them. This is helpful for programs you use a lot, but not for programs you don’t use often because it slows down the time it takes Windows to start.

Find the programs that start automatically

Sometimes you can figure out which programs start automatically by looking at the program icons in the notification area that’s on the far right of the taskbar. Check there first to see if there are any programs running that you don’t want to start automatically. To try to find out the name of the program, point to the icon with your mouse pointer. Make sure you select Show hidden icons , so you don’t miss any programs.

Notification area with mouse pointing to show hidden icons

Even after you check the notification area, you might still miss some programs that run automatically at startup. Here’s how you can find all the programs that start automatically, and stop the ones that you don’t want to start automatically when Windows starts.

To stop a program from starting automatically

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then select Task Manager.

2. In Task Manager, select More details in the lower-left corner, then select the Startup tab.

3. To stop a program from starting automatically, select the program, then select Disable.

If you have questions about a specific app or program, see the program’s support page for more info.

4. Restart your PC and do what you were doing before, then see if you’re still seeing the same performance problems.

Note:

If you disable a program and it continues to start automatically when Windows starts, you should scan for viruses and malware, which is explained in the next section.

Check for low disk space and make some room if necessary

Your PC might slow down if your hard disk is almost full and you don’t have a lot of free space. In this case, freeing up disk space can help make your PC run better.

To check for low disk space

1. Select the Start  button > Settings  > System  > Storage .

2. Under Storage, select your hard disk, and then see what’s taking up space.

3. Do one of the following:

• If your PC isn’t low on space, go to the next tip.

• If you’re running low on disk space, go through each section and remove stuff you don’t need.

To remove temporary files and downloads, and empty the recycle bin

Another way to free up disk space is to delete temporary files and downloads, and empty the recycle bin.

1. Select the Start  button > Settings  > System  > Storage .

2. Under Storage, select This PC, which has a drive letter for your hard disk next to it.

3. Under Storage usage, select Temporary files.

4. On the Temporary files screen, select the Temporary files check box > Remove files.

5. On the taskbar, select File Explorer, then select the Downloads folder under This PC.

The Downloads folder is the default file location for most web browsers.

6. See which files are in the Downloads folder, and move the downloads you want to keep to another drive.

7. Go back to the Temporary files screen in Settings, select the Downloads folder check box > Remove files.

8. Go to your desktop, and then open Recycle Bin.

9. Move any files you want to keep, and then select Empty Recycle Bin.

10. Restart your PC, and then see if it’s running better.

To move files to another drive

If you have photos, music, downloads, or other files that you want to keep but don't use very often, consider saving them to removable media, like a USB flash drive. You'll still be able to use them when the flash drive is connected, but they won't take up space on your PC.

1. Plug a USB flash drive into a USB port on your PC

2. Select File Explorer on the taskbar, and find the files you want to move.

3. Select the files, go to the Home tab, and then select Move to > Choose location.

4. Select your flash drive from the location list, and then select Move.

To uninstall apps you don't use anymore

Another way to free up space is to remove apps and programs that you don’t use.

1. Select the Start  button > Settings  > System  > Apps & features .

2. Search for a specific app or sort them to see which ones are taking up the most space.

3. When you find an app you want to remove, select it from the list, then select Uninstall.

4. Restart your PC, and then do what you were doing before to see if your PC’s performance has improved.