Odd memory usage

BrokenWinDoz said:

Curiously, the antivirus program, Malwarebytes, is also causing consternation. Despite my attempts to delete items from its quarantine, they persistently reappear.

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ChatGPT said:

From the screenshot you provided, it seems like your computer's memory usage is unusually high. There could be several reasons for this, and I will try to provide some potential solutions for you.

1. Malware or Virus Infection: Run a thorough scan using a reliable antivirus software to check for any malware or viruses that might be using up your memory resources. It's always important to keep your antivirus software updated.

2. Background processes: Check the Task Manager for any unnecessary high-memory usage processes. Sort the processes by memory usage to identify which ones are consuming the most memory. Disable or uninstall any unnecessary software or processes that are not essential to your computer's functionality.

3. Memory leaks: Some programs or drivers may have memory leaks, causing them to consume more memory over time. Try updating all your device drivers to their latest versions by visiting the manufacturer's website or using third-party software. Additionally, keep your operating system and software updated to the latest versions, as developers often release patches to fix memory-related issues.

4. Hardware issues: Faulty hardware components can also cause high memory usage. Test your RAM using Windows Memory Diagnostic tool or third-party tools to ensure it is functioning properly. If any errors are detected, you may need to replace the faulty RAM module.

5. Resource-hungry applications: Certain applications, especially multimedia or resource-intensive software, can consume a significant amount of memory. Check if any specific applications are consistently using excessive memory and consider closing or replacing them with alternative lightweight applications.

6. System configuration: Ensure that your computer's virtual memory settings are properly configured. By default, Windows manages virtual memory automatically, but you can adjust these settings manually if needed. Go to Control Panel > System > Advanced System Settings > Performance > Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory. Ensure that "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives" is selected, or you can set a specific size if necessary.

7. Hardware limitations: Although you have 32GB of RAM, certain applications or tasks may naturally utilize a significant amount of memory, potentially impacting overall performance. Depending on your specific usage, it may be worth considering upgrading your RAM or considering alternative hardware upgrades to improve performance.

If none of the above suggestions resolve the issue, it might be worthwhile to consult a computer technician who can perform further diagnostics and provide a more targeted solution.

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Possible Causes of High Network and CPU Usage:​

1. Windows Updates:
   • Background downloads for system updates (including Windows and drivers) often cause constant network usage.
2. Background Applications:
   • Apps like OneDrive, Microsoft Store, or third-party programs might be syncing large files or updating.
3. Malware or Unwanted Software:
   • Unusual, persistent network activity could also indicate malicious software like spyware or cryptocurrency miners.
4. Telemetry or Diagnostics:
   • Windows’ diagnostics or telemetry services may contribute to both CPU and network usage.
5. Streaming or Cloud Syncing:
   • Services like YouTube, Netflix, or cloud backups (Google Drive, Dropbox) can create significant network load.

Steps to Investigate:​

1. Check Windows Update Activity:
   • Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
   • Check if updates are downloading or installing.
2. Use Task Manager to Identify Bandwidth Consumers:
   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
   • Click the Network column in the Processes tab to sort by apps using the most bandwidth.
   • Likewise, check the CPU column to find high-usage processes.
3. Monitor Resource Usage with Resource Monitor:
   • Press Win + R, type resmon, and hit Enter.
   • Switch to the Network tab and analyze active connections:
     • Check which processes are sending/receiving data.
   • Similarly, use the CPU tab to see processes causing high CPU utilization.
4. Check Background Apps:
   • Go to Settings > Apps > Startup to disable unnecessary apps from running in the background.
   • Also, navigate to Privacy > Background Apps to limit background data usage.
5. Scan for Malware:
   • Perform a full system scan using Windows Defender or a third-party antivirus tool, such as Malwarebytes, to rule out malicious activity.
6. Investigate Cloud Services:
   • If services like OneDrive or Google Drive are syncing, temporarily pause them to see if the activity drops.

Additional Debugging:​

• Network Monitor: Use tools like Wireshark to analyze the network traffic and identify what’s being downloaded.
• Process Explorer: From Sysinternals, use this tool to get detailed CPU and network usage for processes.

Resolving It:​

• Once the root cause is identified (e.g., updates, syncing, etc.), you can:
  • Pause updates/syncs temporarily.
  • Disable unnecessary background apps.
  • Address potential malware or misconfigured services.