If the Windows 10 memory usage is high, you can use the task manager to find which application or program is using the most RAM or Memory. Here’s how.
Every program running in Windows requires a certain amount of RAM (Random Access Memory) or Memory to function. In case you don’t know, RAM is temporary or volatile storage used by programs to store temporary data like current settings, workflow, unsaved data, etc. In general, the RAM is many times faster than your hard disk or SSD. As such, programs require this memory to function properly. If a program is using up all the available RAM, other programs might not be able to function properly due to low RAM. In a worst-case scenario, the program or operating system itself might crash due to low RAM.
Most systems nowadays have at least 8GB of RAM. For general day-to-day activities like browsing, office work, and media consumption, that of RAM will suffice. However, if you are running intense programs like Photoshop or playing games, you have to keep an eye on Windows 10 RAM usage. This is especially important for systems with 8GB or less RAM. If a certain program is using too much RAM, you can end it before it goes out of control or makes other programs slow. That way, you can reduce RAM usage in Windows 10.
Rather than wondering what is using all my RAM, you can find which program is using all or most RAM in Windows 10 in just a few steps. Here are the exact steps you should follow to locate programs using excessive RAM.
Using Task Manager to Find Programs Using Most RAM
The built-in task manager in Windows 10 can easily show what app is using all or most of the memory. To do that, open the task manager, to go the “Processes” tab, and click on the “Memory” heading to sort by programs using most RAM. Below are the detailed steps you should follow.
- First, right-click on the Taskbar.
- From the list, select “Task Manager” to open the Task Manager.
- In the Task Manager, go to the “Processes” tab.
- Once you are here, click on the “Memory” heading.
- As soon as you click on it, the Task Manager will sort by processes using the most RAM.
- So, you will see the process or program that is using the most RAM at the top of the list. In my case, Chrome using most memory compared to others.
Once you find the process or program responsible for hogging all the RAM, you can either force quit the application or reduce the workload in that specific program. Doing any of these two actions will reduce RAM usage of the target program.
Important Note: Do keep in mind that if you forcefully quit an application to free RAM, you might lose any unsaved data. So, I recommend you manually save the data and then close the application rather than ending the process from the task manager. Only force quit when the application is not responding.
That is all. I hope that helps. If you are stuck or need some help, comment below and I will try to help as much as possible.
