# How to Fix High RAM Usage in Windows 11

URL: https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/fix-high-ram-usage-windows-11/
Published: 2026-05-20 | Author: Ankit Kumar
Tags: Windows 11, Performance, Fix, System
Summary: Task Manager shows 90% memory used with nothing open? Find the process hogging RAM on Windows 11, trim startup apps, and know when 8 GB is too little.
Recommended app: Ultimate PC Repair Tool — https://www.mytechnician.tech/apps/my-technician/ (Microsoft Store: https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9PH863L9C6HC?hl=en-us&cid=mytechnician-web). Optional; every step below uses built-in Windows tools.

## The Problem
Chrome stutters, apps refuse to open, and Task Manager shows **Memory** pinned high—even on an idle desktop. Windows 11 runs fine on 16 GB for most people; on 8 GB, a few heavy tabs and Teams can look like a "virus." Find the real consumer before you buy RAM you might not need—or confirm you actually need more sticks.

> **Disk at 100% instead of RAM?** Different guide: [fix 100% disk usage](https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/how-to-fix-100-disk-usage-windows-11/). **CPU hot and fans loud?** See [CPU overheating](https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/fix-cpu-overheating-thermal-throttling/).

## Symptoms
* Constant "Low memory" warnings or apps crashing to desktop.
* **Memory** column in Task Manager dominated by one process (Chrome, Defender, **Runtime Broker**, **SearchIndexer**).
* PC was fine until a recent app install or Windows update.

## The Fix: Step-by-Step

### Step 1: Sort Task Manager by Memory
1. `Ctrl + Shift + Esc` → **Processes** → click **Memory** to sort descending.
2. Expand heavy browsers—each tab is its own line.
3. Right-click obvious hogs → **End task** (save work first). If memory drops and stays low, you found the culprit.

### Step 2: Trim Startup and Background Apps
1. **Startup apps** tab → disable high-impact entries you do not need at boot. Full walkthrough: [disable startup programs](https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/disable-startup-programs-speed-up-boot/).
2. Close tray apps: OneDrive, Discord, game launchers, RGB suites—they sit in RAM all day.

### Step 3: Restart Windows Explorer (If It Leaks)
If **Windows Explorer** climbs into gigabytes over days:
1. Task Manager → **Windows Explorer** → **Restart**.
2. A full reboot still clears one-off leaks faster than chasing them.

> **Quick option:** [tune performance with Ultimate PC Repair Tool](https://www.mytechnician.tech/apps/my-technician/)—it trims startup and system settings when memory pressure comes from too much running at boot.

### Step 4: Disable Heavy Optional Features (Test)
* **Search indexing**: **Settings** → **Privacy & security** → **Searching Windows** → **Advanced indexing options** → modify indexed locations if you index huge video folders on a small drive.
* Turn off **Widgets** and **Copilot** if unused: **Settings** → **Personalization** → **Taskbar** → toggle off what you do not use.

### Step 5: Update Drivers and Windows
Bad GPU or chipset drivers have caused **Desktop Window Manager** RAM spikes. Run Windows Update and install GPU drivers from AMD/NVIDIA/Intel—not random "driver booster" tools.

### Step 6: Scan for Malware
Cryptominers and adware hide as **Service Host** lookalikes. Run Defender offline scan—[remove malware guide](https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/remove-virus-malware-windows-11/).

### Step 7: Virtual Memory (Page File)
Usually leave automatic. If you customized it and set something tiny:
1. **Settings** → search **Advanced system settings** → **Performance** → **Settings** → **Advanced** → **Virtual memory** → **Automatically manage paging file size for all drives**.

## When You Actually Need More RAM
* **Committed** memory in Task Manager **Performance** tab regularly exceeds **Installed** RAM after closing apps.
* You edit 4K video, run VMs, or keep 50+ browser tabs for work—8 GB will always feel tight on Windows 11.
* Check upgrade path: [how to check and upgrade RAM](https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/check-upgrade-ram-pc/).

## Quick Wins by App
| Process | Usual fix |
|---------|-----------|
| Chrome / Edge | Fewer tabs; disable extensions; use sleeping tabs |
| Teams / Zoom | Quit after meetings; disable auto-start |
| Antivirus (third-party) | One AV only; remove duplicates |
| **Ndu** (network driver leak, rare) | Update Wi-Fi/Ethernet driver from vendor |

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Source: https://www.mytechnician.tech/tips/fix-high-ram-usage-windows-11/ — My Technician, free Windows 10/11 troubleshooting guides.
Related tool: Ultimate PC Repair Tool (Ultimate PC Repair Tool is a Windows diagnostic and repair toolkit with system analysis, automated troubleshooting, and hardware checks for Windows 10/11.) — https://www.mytechnician.tech/apps/my-technician/
More guides: https://www.mytechnician.tech/llms.txt