Windows 11 is the latest and greatest operating system from Microsoft, but like any operating system, it can still suffer from memory-related issues. Optimizing memory usage is essential for ensuring your system runs smoothly, particularly for resource-intensive applications and tasks. In this article, I will show you how to optimize the memory in your Windows 11 computer.

Before diving into optimization techniques, it's essential to understand how memory works in Windows 11. RAM (Random Access Memory) is a type of volatile memory that temporarily stores data for quick access by the various components. When your system runs low on RAM, it uses a portion of your computer's drive for what is called the Page File (commonly known as Virtual Memory), which is considerably slower than RAM. Therefore, optimizing RAM usage can significantly enhance your PC's performance.
Monitor your memory usage
The first step in optimization is to monitor how your memory is being utilized. Windows 11 provides a built-in Task Manager, which allows you to see which applications are consuming the most memory.
- Open Task Manager by right-clicking on the Start
button and selecting Task Manager or by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- In Task Manager, go to the Processes tab. Here, you can see the memory usage of each application. Look for any apps that are using an amount of memory that seems excessive.
Close background apps
Often, numerous applications and processes run in the background, consuming valuable memory. You can close unnecessary applications to free up resources.
- Open Task Manager by right-clicking on the Start
button and selecting Task Manager or by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- In Task Manager, go to the Processes tab. Here, you can identify applications that are not needed, highlight them, and click End Task to close them. Be careful not to close essential system processes.
Disable Startup programs
Several applications start automatically with Windows 11, which can lead to increased memory usage right from boot. Disabling these unnecessary startup programs can free up memory.
- Open Task Manager by right-clicking on the Start
button and selecting Task Manager or by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- In Task Manager, go to the Startup tab. Here, you can see all programs that automatically launch when your computer starts.
- Right-click on the applications you don't need at startup and select Disable.
Adjust Virtual Memory settings
When your system runs low on RAM, it can use disk space as Virtual Memory. Adjusting these settings can lead to improved performance.
Go to Settings > System > About, and left-click on Advanced system settings. Under the Performance section, click Settings.
On the Performance Options dialog box, go to the Advanced tab and left-click on Change under Virtual Memory. You can either let Windows manage the size automatically or set a custom size. A good rule of thumb for a custom size is to set the Initial size to 1.5 times the amount of your physical RAM and the Maximum size to 3 times the Initial size.
For more information on Windows 11 Virtual Memory, check out our article How to manage Windows 11 Virtual Memory.
Verify Memory Compression
Windows 11 includes a feature called Memory Compression, which enables the OS to store more data in RAM by compressing unused memory pages. This feature is usually enabled by default, but it's worth verifying. To verify that Memory Compression is in use:
- Open Task Manager by right-clicking on the Start
button and selecting Task Manager or by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- In the left-hand column, left-click on the Performance tab.
- In the Performance tab, left-click on the Memory section.
- On the Memory section, look for In use (Compressed). If a value is shown, Memory Compression is active.
You can also check the status of Memory Compression and turn it on or off via PowerShell commands. To use the PowerShell commands, you will need to open PowerShell with admin privileges. The easiest way to do this is with Terminal.
Right-click on the Start
button and select Terminal (Admin) from the context menu. By default, Terminal should open to a PowerShell prompt. At the PowerShell prompt, type or cut & paste the following commands and then press Enter.
This command returns the current status.
Get-MMAgent
This command disables Memory Compression.
Disable-MMAgent -mc
This command enables Memory Compression.
Enable-MMAgent -mc
Remember that you have to restart your computer for any of the changes made by the PowerShell commands to take effect.
Upgrade your RAM
If you find that your PC continually struggles with memory-related issues, it may be time to consider a hardware upgrade. Adding more RAM is one of the most effective ways to improve performance, especially for power users or gamers. Before purchasing new RAM:
- Check compatibility - Ensure the RAM you buy is compatible with your motherboard.
- Consider usage - For intensive tasks such as gaming, video editing, or multitasking, upgrading to a minimum of 32GB or 64GB may be beneficial.
For more information on memory upgrades, check out our article How to upgrade or add more memory to your computer.
Optimizing memory usage in Windows 11 is essential for maintaining system performance and efficiency. By monitoring memory usage, closing unneeded applications, adjusting virtual memory settings, and making use of built-in tools and features, you can ensure your PC runs smoothly. If issues persist, consider upgrading your hardware. With these tips, you can enhance your user experience and maximize the capabilities of Windows 11.
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