Reducing Computer Memory Usage: 10 Tips to Consider In 2022

Random Access Memory, often shortened to RAM, is one of the key aspects of computer hardware.

If you notice that your device is running slower than usual, the odds are that the resource management has been pretty lackluster, and you need to find ways to free up RAM.

The purpose of this article is to provide you with some key ideas that will hopefully translate into performance improvements on your computer.

Avoid Unnecessary Peripherals

Let’s start with third-party peripherals. Some users like to add unnecessary accessories, for instance, which results in poor resource management on a computer.

If you have such ideas, you need to follow close guides, like the one at setapp.com, for optimizing Chromebook on Macs, for instance.

Ultimately, though, you want to limit or get rid of third-party peripherals, which will lead to better resource management on the computer, including RAM.

Restart the Computer Regularly

Regular restarts are another example of how you can save memory. After a while, your computer starts to distribute memory to locations it should not go. The phenomenon is known as memory leaks.

To prevent memory leaks, you need to restart the computer. Restarting every few hours ought to be enough.

Switch to Another Internet Browser

Sometimes, the biggest issue related to memory usage on a computer is related to internet browsers.

It is no secret that Google Chrome is the most popular option at the moment, but it is notorious for memory consumption. Once you open multiple tabs, the demands increase significantly.

Installing too many extensions does not help either, but the extensive extension library is one of the best things about Chrome, so it is natural that users go overboard with the extensions.

The simplest solution, and one that will reduce memory consumption, is to switch to a different browser. Firefox, Opera, Vivaldi, Edge, Tor, and Safari are worth a try.

Install System Updates

Missing updates is often associated with various technical issues on computers, and poor RAM management is no exception.

Check whether your operating system is up to date. If a new version is available, do not hesitate and get it.

Also, keep in mind that if a particular application is consuming more memory than usual, it could also be related to a lack of updates.

Quit Background Apps

It is not easy to keep track of all the background processes unless you constantly check Activity Monitor (macOS) or Task Manager (MS Windows).

However, the odds are that there are a few background items hiding and adding to poor resource management on the computer.

Now and then, be sure to check what processes are exactly running in the background and disable the ones you find redundant.

Declutter the Desktop

A cluttered computer desktop is common since so many people find it convenient to keep documents and other shortcuts directly on the desktop.

There is no need to use the search feature or navigate through various categories when the files are available on the desktop.

The convenience is nice, but it comes at the cost of adding extra pressure to the computer hardware, and that includes memory. You might find it difficult to declutter the desktop, but it is a necessary step to take.

Upgrade Computer Hardware

Hardware upgrades affect the overall memory management as well, and we are not talking about adding extra RAM.

No, a better graphics processing unit, motherboard, solid-state drive, etc., make a difference, and if you have money to invest in hardware upgrades, you should do it.

Free Up Drive Space

The next suggestion on the list is to free up drive space. Disk clutter is a bad sign, and you should not wait until there are only a few gigabytes of free storage left on your computer.

Try your best to manage the computer’s drive by:

• Getting rid of unnecessary files
• Transferring data to external storage
• Avoiding media clutter and sticking to streaming services

Ideally, the majority of the total disk space should be free, but that is hardly possible if you like to keep the files directly on the computer.

If that is the case, you need to keep a close eye on the data and figure out what you can cut or move to a different location.

Check for Cybersecurity Threats

Cybersecurity threats vary in severity and what aspects of computers they affect.

Problems with RAM are not that common if we are talking about issues caused by malware, but they can still happen.

You need to use reliable antivirus software so that there is a tool to detect and eliminate cybersecurity threats.

Keeping the system malware-free is a sure way to solve computer-related issues, which also means better RAM management.

Disable Visuals

The last bit of advice is to get rid of various visuals. Some operating systems and individual applications come with redundant animations and effects that offer no value.

Instead, they function as a resource hog, and it makes little sense to keep such visuals enabled.

Be pragmatic and disable them, and you are bound to notice improvements in the overall computer and memory performance.

Anthony