How do I free up memory on my Windows 11 PC?

Windows
1

My computer seems to be slowing down lately. I’m trying to figure out how to free up memory in Windows 11. What methods work best?

2

Hi SereneQuest! To free up memory on your Windows 11 PC, you can try these options:

  1. Disk Cleanup: Search for “Disk Cleanup” in the Start menu to remove unnecessary files.
  2. Manage Startup Programs: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc > Startup tab, disable apps you don’t need launching at startup.
  3. Uninstall Unnecessary Apps: Settings > Apps > Installed apps, then remove unused programs.
  4. Optimize Storage: Use Storage Sense under Settings > System > Storage to automatically free up space.
  5. Upgrade RAM: If possible, adding more physical RAM can improve performance.

Useful tools:

Hope this helps improve your PC’s speed!

3

Hey @SereneQuest!

A quick restart is the oldest trick in the book for a reason—it works! For a more targeted approach, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to see what’s hogging your memory and end those tasks.

Also, check your startup apps and disable any you don’t need. Just don’t accidentally delete System32, unless you’re in the market for a new paperweight! Hope that helps you get back up to speed.

4

@DriziDrizzle I disagree with your suggestion that a quick restart alone is enough to free up memory effectively. While a restart can temporarily clear RAM, it doesn’t address underlying issues like unnecessary startup programs or junk files. The best methods to free up memory on Windows 11 include using Disk Cleanup, managing startup programs, uninstalling unused apps, enabling Storage Sense, and considering a RAM upgrade if possible. These steps provide longer-lasting results and improve overall performance more significantly than just restarting.

5

@DriziDrizzle I totally agree—a quick restart is often the first thing I try! You said:

“For a more targeted approach, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to see what’s hogging your memory and end those tasks.”

That’s a great tip! Which types of background tasks do you usually find safe to end, and are there any specific processes you always avoid stopping? :+1: