Windows manages memory allocation automatically, but sometimes programs need more memory than the default settings provide. This can lead to performance issues or “out of memory” errors. Fortunately, there are several ways to optimize memory allocation and improve program performance in Windows.
Adjust Visual Effects Settings
One of the quickest ways to free up memory for programs is to reduce Windows’ visual effects:
Step 1: Open the Start menu and search for “Performance”.
Step 2: Click on “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows”.
Step 3: In the Performance Options window, select “Adjust for best performance” to disable all visual effects.
Step 4: If you want to keep some visual enhancements, choose “Custom” and select only “Smooth edges of screen fonts” and “Show thumbnails instead of icons”.
Step 5: Click “Apply” and then “OK”.
This reduces the memory Windows uses for visual elements, making more available for programs.
Modify Program Priority in Task Manager
For specific programs that need more memory, you can adjust their priority:
Step 1: Right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager”.
Step 2: Click the “Details” tab.
Step 3: Right-click on the program you want to prioritize.
Step 4: Select “Set priority” and choose “High”.
Step 5: Confirm the change when prompted.
Be cautious when setting priorities to “High” or “Realtime”, as this can affect system stability if overused.
Adjust Virtual Memory Settings
Virtual memory uses hard drive space as an extension of RAM. Increasing it can help with memory-intensive tasks:
Step 1: Open the Start menu and search for “Advanced system settings”.
Step 2: In the System Properties window, click the “Advanced” tab.
Step 3: Under Performance, click “Settings”.
Step 4: In the new window, go to the “Advanced” tab and click “Change” under Virtual memory.
Step 5: Uncheck “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives”.
Step 6: Select your Windows drive (usually C:).
Step 7: Choose “Custom size” and set the initial size to the currently allocated amount.
Step 8: Set the maximum size to about 1.5 times your physical RAM.
Step 9: Click “Set”, then “OK” on all windows.
Step 10: Restart your computer for changes to take effect.
Increasing virtual memory can help, but it’s slower than physical RAM. If you frequently need more memory, consider upgrading your RAM.
Close Unnecessary Background Programs
Many programs run in the background, consuming memory even when not in use:
Step 1: Right-click on the taskbar and open Task Manager.
Step 2: Click “More details” if you see a simplified view.
Step 3: Go to the “Startup” tab.
Step 4: Disable any programs you don’t need to start automatically with Windows.
Step 5: Restart your computer to apply changes.
Be careful not to disable essential system processes or security software.
Use the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool
If you’re experiencing frequent memory issues, there might be a problem with your RAM:
Step 1: Open the Start menu and search for “Windows Memory Diagnostic”.
Step 2: Choose “Restart now and check for problems”.
Step 3: Your computer will restart and run the diagnostic tool.
Step 4: After the test, Windows will restart and display the results.
If the tool finds issues, you may need to replace faulty RAM modules.
These methods can help optimize memory allocation in Windows, potentially resolving performance issues and “out of memory” errors. If problems persist after trying these solutions, consider upgrading your computer’s RAM for a more permanent fix.