Every Windows 11 user has faced it at some point: that moment when your PC, once sprightly at startup, starts limping along as the day progresses. Programs take longer to load, browser tabs become sluggish, and sometimes you’re left staring at spinning circles, wondering where all your computer's speed has disappeared to. While hardware limitations can sometimes be to blame, the truth is, you have more control over your Windows 11 PC’s performance—and particularly its RAM—than you might think. In this comprehensive feature, we’ll break down the most effective and accessible steps you can take today to free up RAM, accelerate your system, and keep your daily workflow on track, all verified with the latest sources and tested advice.
At its core, Random Access Memory (RAM) is your PC’s short-term memory. It stores the data and instructions the CPU needs right now, even if just for a few milliseconds. If your computer runs out of RAM, it has to juggle tasks inefficiently—often using much slower storage as a fallback, which leads to that dreaded lag. With Windows 11’s visual enhancements and heavier system demands, RAM shortages can become more common, even on newer hardware.
Before we dive into hands-on solutions, it’s important to grasp that while adding new RAM modules can help, most users can dramatically improve performance without spending a dime. Instead, by following a series of strategic steps, you can optimize your system—often with immediate results.
This step alone can sometimes yield surprising improvements. According to multiple benchmarks, simply reducing the number of open Chrome tabs can decrease RAM usage by hundreds of megabytes.
How to do it:
Task Manager provides near real-time insights, making it easier to troubleshoot spikes in RAM usage and quickly take action. According to Microsoft’s official documentation, monitoring via Task Manager is the recommended method for everyday performance management.
Here’s how to put a stop to background clutter:
To banish unnecessary startup apps:
Multiple sources, including Microsoft and leading PC optimization experts, highlight disabling startup apps as a “first line of defense” for sluggish systems.
How to use it:
To clear them:
Turn down the visual flare:
Independent tests confirm that disabling visual effects can recover between 100-300MB of RAM on older systems, directly benefiting overall responsiveness.
To spring-clean your installed apps:
Why does this matter? Outdated software can have memory leaks—bugs that cause RAM usage to gradually increase until the system slows or becomes unresponsive.
How to check for updates:
For a free, robust checkup:
Restarting closes every app, clears temporary memory allocations, and gives your system a fresh lease on life.
Most experts recommend a restart at least every few days, or whenever you notice performance start to slip.
Here’s a simplified breakdown:
These figures align with recent testing from tech sites and memory manufacturers, confirming that 16GB is now the sweet spot for most users. In most scenarios, pushing past 32GB yields diminishing returns unless you engage in highly specialized work.
It’s also worth noting: Windows 11 itself functions acceptably with as little as 4GB but will struggle with anything beyond web surfing or two apps at a time. For those buying a new system, 8GB should be regarded as the bare minimum.
Notable strengths:
Most importantly, skip the myths: there is no “magic button” or commercial software that outperforms careful manual management. Stick with tried-and-tested, verifiable methods. Your PC—and your personal productivity—will be all the better for it.
Whether you’re a content creator, a gamer, or just someone who values a responsive everyday experience, regular RAM optimization is well worth the minimal effort involved. And with the guidelines above, you can make lag, freezes, and slowdowns a thing of the past.
Source: Tom's Guide Windows 11 PC running slow? Here's 11 simple steps to free up RAM
Understanding RAM: The Heart of Your PC’s Responsiveness
At its core, Random Access Memory (RAM) is your PC’s short-term memory. It stores the data and instructions the CPU needs right now, even if just for a few milliseconds. If your computer runs out of RAM, it has to juggle tasks inefficiently—often using much slower storage as a fallback, which leads to that dreaded lag. With Windows 11’s visual enhancements and heavier system demands, RAM shortages can become more common, even on newer hardware.Before we dive into hands-on solutions, it’s important to grasp that while adding new RAM modules can help, most users can dramatically improve performance without spending a dime. Instead, by following a series of strategic steps, you can optimize your system—often with immediate results.
1. Close Unused Apps
It may sound obvious, but leaving apps open “just in case” is one of the most common causes of unnecessary RAM drainage. Every active app hoards memory, even when it’s minimized. Start with a quick review: close browser windows you’re not using, exit out of games you finished playing, and shut down productivity tools once your work is done.This step alone can sometimes yield surprising improvements. According to multiple benchmarks, simply reducing the number of open Chrome tabs can decrease RAM usage by hundreds of megabytes.
2. Use Task Manager to Hunt Down RAM Hogs
Not all apps are equally memory-efficient. Task Manager, a built-in Windows tool, is your best ally for identifying resource-hungry culprits.How to do it:
- Press
Ctrl + Shift + Escto launch Task Manager. - Click the “Processes” tab.
- Sort by the "Memory" column to see which processes are consuming the most RAM.
Task Manager provides near real-time insights, making it easier to troubleshoot spikes in RAM usage and quickly take action. According to Microsoft’s official documentation, monitoring via Task Manager is the recommended method for everyday performance management.
3. Stop Unnecessary Background Apps
Windows 11 allows many apps to run tasks quietly in the background—checking for updates, syncing data, or just idling until you summon them. While this can be helpful for instant notifications or certain services, it often leads to wasted memory.Here’s how to put a stop to background clutter:
- Open Settings (
Windows Key + I). - Click “Apps” > “Installed apps.”
- Select the desired app, tap the three-dot menu, and click “Advanced options.”
- Under “Background app permissions,” set it to “Never.”
4. Tame Startup Programs
A crowded startup routine can make the system feel bloated from the moment you log on. Many apps sneak into your startup sequence, draining RAM before your desktop even appears.To banish unnecessary startup apps:
- Open Task Manager.
- Go to the “Startup apps” section.
- Check which apps have “Enabled” status.
- Right-click non-essential apps and click “Disable.”
Multiple sources, including Microsoft and leading PC optimization experts, highlight disabling startup apps as a “first line of defense” for sluggish systems.
5. Try Efficiency Mode in Task Manager
Efficiency Mode, introduced in recent Windows updates, allows you to throttle resource-hogging apps—even if you still need them open.How to use it:
- While in Task Manager’s “Processes” tab, right-click an app and select “Efficiency mode.”
6. Delete Temporary Files
Windows constantly generates temporary files—cache, installer leftovers, logs, etc. Over time, these files can pile up, reducing available disk space and indirectly affecting RAM usage as virtual memory swaps increase.To clear them:
- Open Settings > “System” > “Storage.”
- Click on “Temporary files,” review what’s available, and check the boxes for files you don’t need.
- Click “Remove files.”
7. Reduce Visual Effects
Windows 11’s glass-like translucencies and animations look stunning, but they’re memory-intensive—especially on PCs with limited RAM.Turn down the visual flare:
- Search for “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows” in the Start menu.
- In the dialog that appears, select “Adjust for best performance” to turn off all effects, or manually deselect features you don’t need.
Independent tests confirm that disabling visual effects can recover between 100-300MB of RAM on older systems, directly benefiting overall responsiveness.
8. Uninstall Apps You No Longer Need
Old games, tools, and utilities often pile up, forgotten. Even unused, they can have helper processes running or consume valuable storage (affecting paging and virtual memory).To spring-clean your installed apps:
- Open Settings > “Apps” > “Installed apps.”
- Scroll through the list and uninstall anything you haven’t used in months.
9. Keep Windows and Drivers Updated
It’s tempting to dismiss update notifications, but system and driver updates often contain crucial optimizations for memory handling and system stability.Why does this matter? Outdated software can have memory leaks—bugs that cause RAM usage to gradually increase until the system slows or becomes unresponsive.
How to check for updates:
- Type “Check for updates” in the Start menu.
- Click through and install any available updates.
10. Scan for Malware
Malware remains a prime suspect whenever a PC slows down inexplicably. Malicious software is notorious for eating up CPU and RAM, sometimes masquerading as legitimate processes.For a free, robust checkup:
- Open “Windows Security” from the Start menu.
- Go to “Virus & threat protection.”
- Run a “Quick scan”—and a full scan if you haven’t done one recently.
11. Restart Your PC Regularly
It may sound simple, but regular restarts are one of the best ways to wipe out RAM hogs, clear stuck processes, and reset background activity. Many users leave their PCs running for days or weeks—resulting in memory fragmentation and sluggishness.Restarting closes every app, clears temporary memory allocations, and gives your system a fresh lease on life.
Most experts recommend a restart at least every few days, or whenever you notice performance start to slip.
How Much RAM Do You Really Need?
A question as old as modern computing: how much RAM is enough? The answer depends on your use case—and overspending on RAM you’ll never use is as wasteful as struggling with too little.Here’s a simplified breakdown:
| RAM Amount | Ideal Use Case |
|---|---|
| 8GB | Everyday browsing, office apps, light photo editing, and multiple browser tabs. |
| 16GB | Demanding multi-tasking, gaming, moderate video editing, and virtual machines. |
| 32GB | Professional users: 3D modeling, 4K video production, and serious gaming. |
| 64GB+ | Niche: Developers, animators, or running dozens of VMs simultaneously. |
It’s also worth noting: Windows 11 itself functions acceptably with as little as 4GB but will struggle with anything beyond web surfing or two apps at a time. For those buying a new system, 8GB should be regarded as the bare minimum.
Additional RAM Optimization Tips
If you’ve followed all the main steps and still crave further speed gains, explore these advanced tips:- Disable “Superfetch”/SysMain: Advanced users sometimes benefit from tweaking Windows’ memory preloading features, especially on older PCs. Proceed with caution, and backup important data before making changes.
- Manage browser extensions: Chrome, Firefox, and Edge extensions can multiply RAM usage. Limit extras to what you genuinely use.
- Use light alternatives: Swap out heavy apps for lighter ones if possible. Apps such as Notepad++ (versus Microsoft Word) or Paint.NET (over Photoshop for basics) can reduce memory needs.
- Expand your virtual memory (page file): Windows uses disk space as “extra RAM” when under load. Go to System > Advanced System Settings > Performance > Advanced > Virtual Memory to manually adjust these settings, though only tweak if you are confident in doing so.
Strengths and Risks of Manual RAM Management
On the whole, Windows 11 offers more baked-in tools to manage memory than any previous version of Windows. The upgraded Task Manager, streamlined Settings app, and robust background management are all welcome.Notable strengths:
- Most RAM optimization steps require zero third-party software, protecting users from “registry cleaners” and “memory boosters” that can do more harm than good.
- Built-in security ensures that critical processes are harder to kill by accident.
- Ending the wrong processes in Task Manager can crash your system or force unsaved work to disappear.
- Aggressive disabling of background services may result in broken notifications, missing app features, or delayed updates—potentially hurting productivity.
- Uninstalling apps without understanding dependencies (e.g., removing a printer utility you actually need) can create future headaches.
The Bottom Line: Take Control for Lasting Performance
Performance degradation doesn’t have to be the price of an aging PC or a bustling workday. Windows 11 users have a comprehensive toolkit at their fingertips to reclaim lost speed. By closing unneeded apps, strategically managing background activity, and keeping your system lean and up-to-date, you can vastly improve both everyday responsiveness and your own satisfaction.Most importantly, skip the myths: there is no “magic button” or commercial software that outperforms careful manual management. Stick with tried-and-tested, verifiable methods. Your PC—and your personal productivity—will be all the better for it.
Whether you’re a content creator, a gamer, or just someone who values a responsive everyday experience, regular RAM optimization is well worth the minimal effort involved. And with the guidelines above, you can make lag, freezes, and slowdowns a thing of the past.
Source: Tom's Guide Windows 11 PC running slow? Here's 11 simple steps to free up RAM
