1. Check the system memory
The most common cause of memory issues in Windows is an insufficient amount of system memory. To verify the amount of available memory on your computer, use the following steps:
• Open “Control Panel”
• Select “System and Security”
• Click on “System”
• Check the amount of “Installed Memory (RAM)”
If the amount of installed memory is not sufficient for the applications and services running on your system, consider upgrading to a higher capacity memory module.
2. Free up hard drive space
In some cases, low system memory can be caused by a low amount of free hard drive space. To free up space, you may need to delete unneeded files and programs or move them to an external storage device.
• Open “My Computer”
• Right click on each drive to display its “Properties”
• Review the “Free Space” and delete any unnecessary files
3. Optimize the page file
The page file is a feature in Windows that allows the operating system to use virtual memory as if it were actual system memory. When configured correctly, the page file can help improve system performance by allowing processes to run which require more memory than is currently available. To optimize the page file, use the following steps:
• Open “Control Panel”
• Select “System and Security”
• Click on “System”
• Click on “Advanced System Settings”
• Select the “Advanced” tab
• Under “Performance”, click “Settings…”
• Select the “Advanced” tab
• Under “Virtual Memory”, click “Change…”
• Select the “Custom size” radio button
• Enter a value for “Initial size” and “Maximum size”
• Click “Set” and then “OK”
4. Manage startup programs
Many programs are configured to start when Windows boots up, which can quickly lead to system memory issues. To reduce the number of programs which are loaded at startup, use the following steps:
• Open “Control Panel”
• Select “System and Security”
• Click on “Administrative Tools”
• Double-click “System Configuration”
• Select the “Startup” tab
• Uncheck any programs which you do not want to start automatically
• Click “OK”
5. Run disk defragmentation
Disk fragmentation can cause your system to run slower than normal, and can also lead to memory issues. To fix disk fragmentation, use the following steps:
• Open “Control Panel”
• Select “System and Security”
• Click on “Administrative Tools”
• Double-click “Disk Defragmenter”
• Select the drive you want to defragment and click “Defragment Disk”
• Wait for the process to complete
6. Update device drivers
Outdated drivers can cause many issues ranging from poor performance, to system crashes. To ensure all drivers are up to date, use the following steps:
• Open “Control Panel”
• Select “System and Security”
• Click on “Device Manager”
• Double-click each entry to open its “Properties” window
• Under the “Driver” tab, click “Update Driver”
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process
7. Scan for viruses
Viruses and other malicious software can consume a large amount of system memory and degrade system performance. To scan for viruses, use the following steps:
• Download and install the latest version of your anti-virus program
• Open the program
• Select the “Full System Scan” option and click “Scan Now”
• Wait for the scan to complete
8. Check for rootkits
Rootkits are pieces of malicious software that can hide on your system, allowing hackers to control your computer. To scan for rootkits, use the following steps:
• Download and install a rootkit scanning tool such as GMER or BlackLight
• Open the program and begin a scan
• Wait for the scan to complete
9. Check Task Manager
The Windows Task Manager can be used to identify applications and processes which are consuming a large amount of system resources. To open Task Manager use the following steps:
• Press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC
• Select the “Processes” tab
• Review the “Memory” column
If an application or process is consuming an excessive amount of memory, consider closing it or restarting your computer.
10. Check for faulty hardware
In some cases, faulty hardware or a defective memory module can cause system memory issues. To check for faulty hardware, use the following steps:
• Open “Control Panel”
• Select “System and Security”
• Click on “Device Manager”
• Check for any devices listed with a yellow triangle
• If present, right-click the device and select “Uninstall”
• Reboot your computer
If the device is still listed after rebooting, contact the manufacturer for information on resolving the issue.