If you've ever watched your favorite game stutter or an important app lag during a critical moment, you know that extra RAM can sometimes make all the difference. Windows 11 offers a few tricks to allocate more memory to the apps and games you love—whether through direct settings tweaks, third-party optimizers, or even hardware upgrades. In this article, we’ll walk you through several methods, from quick temporary fixes using Task Manager to more involved tweaks like increasing your PC’s virtual memory. Read on and discover how to squeeze every last byte of performance out of your Windows 11 system.
• Launch Task Manager by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting “Task Manager” or pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
• Head over to the “Details” tab where you’ll find a list of running processes.
• Find the process corresponding to your app or game, right-click it, and choose “Set Priority.”
• You’re then presented with several options: “Above Normal” or “High” are good bets for boosting performance without risking system stability. (Avoid “Realtime” as that can lead to unpredictable system behavior.)
Once you make these changes, the app or game will utilize more of your system’s available RAM. However, keep in mind that the settings revert to defaults once the program is closed or your computer is restarted. If you’re in a marathon gaming session or working on a long-term project, this technique can be an excellent stopgap solution.
Key points from this method:
• Open Windows Search by pressing Windows+S and type “View Advanced System Settings.” Select the matching entry.
• In the “System Properties” window, look for the Performance section and click on “Settings.”
• Once you’re in the “Performance Options” window, switch to the “Advanced” tab.
• Under “Adjust for best performance of,” select “Programs” and click “Apply” then “OK.”
This tweak directs Windows to funnel more of its memory resources towards active applications and games. While it might not give you a drastic performance boost in every scenario, it is an excellent tweak for ensuring your system is optimized for responsiveness when you’re multitasking or gaming.
Advantages of this tweak include:
• Open the Run dialog with Windows+R, type “sysdm.cpl” and press Enter.
• In the “System Properties” window, switch to the “Advanced” tab. Click on “Settings” under the Performance section.
• Within the “Performance Options” window, go to the “Advanced” tab and click “Change” under Virtual Memory.
• Uncheck “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.”
• Select your primary drive (where Windows is installed), choose “Custom Size,” and in the “Initial Size” field, enter about 1.5 times your current physical RAM (for example, if you have 8 GB, try around 12,288 MB).
• In the “Maximum Size” field, enter roughly three times your current RAM. Using the same 8 GB example, set this around 24,576 MB.
• Click “Set,” then “Apply,” “OK,” and restart your computer.
While increasing virtual memory can provide additional breathing room for resource-heavy applications, caution is advised if you’re running an SSD. SSDs can experience accelerated wear with excessive paging activity compared to traditional hard drives, so use this method judiciously.
Summary of benefits:
Here’s how to get started with Razer Cortex:
• Download the tool from the Razer Cortex website (a quick search will confirm its legitimacy as a trusted tool among gamers).
• Install Razer Cortex following on-screen instructions.
• Open the application and, from the left sidebar, select “System Booster” then click “Speed Up.” The tool will list the various tweaks it can apply to your system.
• Click “Optimize” to let Razer Cortex work its magic.
Razer Cortex also offers a “Game Booster” mode, which focuses entirely on gaming by closing unnecessary processes and allocating more resources to your game. If you prefer an automated solution, enable the “Auto-Boost” option to let the app handle performance improvements on the fly.
Why use a third-party tool?
To disable SysMain:
• Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows+R and type “services.msc”.
• In the Services window, scroll through the list and locate “SysMain” (you can simply start typing “SysMain” to find it quickly).
• Right-click on SysMain and select “Stop.” This will immediately halt the service.
• To prevent SysMain from restarting automatically every time you boot your computer, right-click it again, choose “Properties,” and change the “Startup Type” to “Disabled.” Click “Apply” then “OK.”
By disabling SysMain, you can free up RAM that’s otherwise occupied by preloaded processes. This can be particularly beneficial if you’re running memory-intensive applications or a resource-hungry game.
Advantages include:
Here’s a step-by-step guide to upgrading your physical RAM:
Key considerations for a physical upgrade:
• If you’re on the go or only need a quick performance boost, adjusting process priority through Task Manager is a fast and effective method.
• For those who prefer a one-time setup, tweaking performance settings in Windows’ Advanced System Settings provides a lasting solution across sessions.
• If you often run out of physical memory, increasing virtual memory can offer a temporary reprieve, although this comes with the caution of potential SSD wear and tear.
• Third-party tools like Razer Cortex offer convenience, automating several optimizations with a few clicks—ideal for gamers and less tech-savvy users alike.
• Finally, if your system is consistently under strain, it might be time to consider a hardware upgrade. Increasing your physical RAM is the surest way to boost overall performance, especially if you find your PC constantly running at close to its maximum capacity.
Each method has its place, and in many cases, a combination of these approaches will provide the optimal gaming or application experience.
For those embracing Windows 11, fine-tuning resource allocation not only enhances the overall user experience but also allows your applications and games to perform at their highest potential. From a temporary performance boost to a full-scale hardware upgrade, each method offers a unique way to hit that sweet spot of responsiveness.
In today’s increasingly demanding digital landscape, knowing how to allocate more RAM effectively is a must-have skill for any serious Windows user. Armed with these techniques, you can now sidestep performance pitfalls and keep your favorite games and apps running at full throttle—so go ahead, give your system the upgrade it deserves!
Source: How-To Geek How to Allocate More RAM to Apps or Games in Windows 11
Temporarily Boosting RAM with Task Manager
One of the quickest ways to breathe some extra life into a lagging app or game is to adjust its resource allocation on the fly. Windows 11’s Task Manager isn’t just for terminating frozen programs—it can also let certain processes use more RAM for the duration of their runtime.• Launch Task Manager by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting “Task Manager” or pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
• Head over to the “Details” tab where you’ll find a list of running processes.
• Find the process corresponding to your app or game, right-click it, and choose “Set Priority.”
• You’re then presented with several options: “Above Normal” or “High” are good bets for boosting performance without risking system stability. (Avoid “Realtime” as that can lead to unpredictable system behavior.)
Once you make these changes, the app or game will utilize more of your system’s available RAM. However, keep in mind that the settings revert to defaults once the program is closed or your computer is restarted. If you’re in a marathon gaming session or working on a long-term project, this technique can be an excellent stopgap solution.
Key points from this method:
- Quick and easy to implement.
- Changes are temporary, so repeated adjustments might be necessary.
- Ideal for addressing short-term performance bottlenecks.
Tweaking Windows Performance Settings for Better Memory Allocation
For a more system-wide approach, Windows 11 lets you adjust performance settings to ensure that your running apps and games get the resources they need. By optimizing the “best performance” settings, you can instruct Windows to prioritize applications over background processes.• Open Windows Search by pressing Windows+S and type “View Advanced System Settings.” Select the matching entry.
• In the “System Properties” window, look for the Performance section and click on “Settings.”
• Once you’re in the “Performance Options” window, switch to the “Advanced” tab.
• Under “Adjust for best performance of,” select “Programs” and click “Apply” then “OK.”
This tweak directs Windows to funnel more of its memory resources towards active applications and games. While it might not give you a drastic performance boost in every scenario, it is an excellent tweak for ensuring your system is optimized for responsiveness when you’re multitasking or gaming.
Advantages of this tweak include:
- It’s a system-wide setting—you don’t have to adjust individual apps.
- Changes persist across reboots, so your system remains optimized.
- Simple to apply without needing third-party software.
Increasing Virtual Memory for Extra Headroom
When your physical RAM is maxed out, Windows 11 relies on virtual memory—using a portion of your hard drive as if it were RAM. Though not a perfect substitute for physical memory, adjusting virtual memory settings can provide a useful buffer in demanding scenarios.• Open the Run dialog with Windows+R, type “sysdm.cpl” and press Enter.
• In the “System Properties” window, switch to the “Advanced” tab. Click on “Settings” under the Performance section.
• Within the “Performance Options” window, go to the “Advanced” tab and click “Change” under Virtual Memory.
• Uncheck “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives.”
• Select your primary drive (where Windows is installed), choose “Custom Size,” and in the “Initial Size” field, enter about 1.5 times your current physical RAM (for example, if you have 8 GB, try around 12,288 MB).
• In the “Maximum Size” field, enter roughly three times your current RAM. Using the same 8 GB example, set this around 24,576 MB.
• Click “Set,” then “Apply,” “OK,” and restart your computer.
While increasing virtual memory can provide additional breathing room for resource-heavy applications, caution is advised if you’re running an SSD. SSDs can experience accelerated wear with excessive paging activity compared to traditional hard drives, so use this method judiciously.
Summary of benefits:
- Provides temporary extra memory when physical RAM is exhausted.
- Can prevent system slowdowns during high-demand operations.
- Customizable to match your system’s workload needs.
Optimizing Performance Using Third-Party Tools
For users looking for a one-click optimization solution, free third-party applications can come to the rescue. One popular tool is Razer Cortex, which is designed to optimize your system’s performance—particularly for gaming.Here’s how to get started with Razer Cortex:
• Download the tool from the Razer Cortex website (a quick search will confirm its legitimacy as a trusted tool among gamers).
• Install Razer Cortex following on-screen instructions.
• Open the application and, from the left sidebar, select “System Booster” then click “Speed Up.” The tool will list the various tweaks it can apply to your system.
• Click “Optimize” to let Razer Cortex work its magic.
Razer Cortex also offers a “Game Booster” mode, which focuses entirely on gaming by closing unnecessary processes and allocating more resources to your game. If you prefer an automated solution, enable the “Auto-Boost” option to let the app handle performance improvements on the fly.
Why use a third-party tool?
- It simplifies the process into a few clicks, ideal for users who aren’t comfortable manually tweaking system settings.
- Combines multiple adjustments, such as process prioritization and temporary memory allocation, into one tool.
- It’s free, so you can experiment with it without risking significant system changes.
Disabling SysMain to Free Up More RAM
Windows 11 includes a service known as SysMain, designed to preload frequently used apps into RAM for quicker launch times. While this is great for responsiveness, it can sometimes hog memory, leaving less available for the very apps and games you need to run smoothly.To disable SysMain:
• Open the Run dialog box by pressing Windows+R and type “services.msc”.
• In the Services window, scroll through the list and locate “SysMain” (you can simply start typing “SysMain” to find it quickly).
• Right-click on SysMain and select “Stop.” This will immediately halt the service.
• To prevent SysMain from restarting automatically every time you boot your computer, right-click it again, choose “Properties,” and change the “Startup Type” to “Disabled.” Click “Apply” then “OK.”
By disabling SysMain, you can free up RAM that’s otherwise occupied by preloaded processes. This can be particularly beneficial if you’re running memory-intensive applications or a resource-hungry game.
Advantages include:
- Immediate freeing of memory resources previously tied up by preloading.
- Better control over how much RAM is dedicated to essential applications.
- Ability to re-enable easily if you ever want the convenience of preloaded apps, ensuring you can always balance between performance and convenience.
Upgrading Physical RAM: The Ultimate Boost
While software tweaks can go a long way, sometimes the only real solution is to add more physical memory to your system. Upgrading your PC’s RAM is one of the most direct ways to ensure smooth performance for both everyday tasks and resource-heavy applications.Here’s a step-by-step guide to upgrading your physical RAM:
- Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and navigate to the “Performance” tab. Click on “Memory” to see how many DIMM slots are used and whether you have any free slots available.
- If there’s an empty slot:
- Purchase an additional RAM module that matches your current module in speed and voltage.
- Turn off your PC and disconnect all power sources.
- Carefully insert the new RAM module into the empty slot until it clicks into place.
- If all slots are filled:
- Consider replacing your current modules with ones offering higher capacity. For instance, if your system has two 4 GB modules, upgrading to two 8 GB modules doubles your available memory.
- After installation, boot your PC and verify the increased memory from Task Manager under the “Memory” section.
Key considerations for a physical upgrade:
- Provides a permanent performance boost.
- Increased capacity allows smoother multitasking and improved gaming performance.
- May require some technical know-how if you’re upgrading the hardware yourself.
Weighing the Options: Choosing What’s Best for Your System
Every Windows 11 user’s performance needs are unique. While gamers might benefit most from temporary adjustments or third-party optimizations, professional users running resource-intensive apps might need a combination of system tweaks and physical upgrades.• If you’re on the go or only need a quick performance boost, adjusting process priority through Task Manager is a fast and effective method.
• For those who prefer a one-time setup, tweaking performance settings in Windows’ Advanced System Settings provides a lasting solution across sessions.
• If you often run out of physical memory, increasing virtual memory can offer a temporary reprieve, although this comes with the caution of potential SSD wear and tear.
• Third-party tools like Razer Cortex offer convenience, automating several optimizations with a few clicks—ideal for gamers and less tech-savvy users alike.
• Finally, if your system is consistently under strain, it might be time to consider a hardware upgrade. Increasing your physical RAM is the surest way to boost overall performance, especially if you find your PC constantly running at close to its maximum capacity.
Each method has its place, and in many cases, a combination of these approaches will provide the optimal gaming or application experience.
Final Thoughts
Allocating more RAM to your apps and games in Windows 11 isn’t rocket science, but it does require an understanding of how your system allocates resources and what tweaks can make a difference. Whether you’re manually boosting process priority via Task Manager, adjusting system performance settings via Advanced System Settings, optimizing virtual memory, or even going the extra mile with a hardware upgrade, these strategies all have one goal: smoother, faster performance tailored to your needs.For those embracing Windows 11, fine-tuning resource allocation not only enhances the overall user experience but also allows your applications and games to perform at their highest potential. From a temporary performance boost to a full-scale hardware upgrade, each method offers a unique way to hit that sweet spot of responsiveness.
In today’s increasingly demanding digital landscape, knowing how to allocate more RAM effectively is a must-have skill for any serious Windows user. Armed with these techniques, you can now sidestep performance pitfalls and keep your favorite games and apps running at full throttle—so go ahead, give your system the upgrade it deserves!
Source: How-To Geek How to Allocate More RAM to Apps or Games in Windows 11
