How to Free Up RAM

When too many programs are using up your computer’s RAM (Random Access Memory), you may find your system becoming unresponsive. Follow this guide to clear out the clutter from your system’s memory, and get it running smoothly again.

Close Unnecessary Programs

Programs store temporary data in the computer’s RAM while the program is running. The more programs that you have running, the more RAM is required. The simplest way to free up RAM is to close programs that you aren’t using.


If you have multiple programs on your screen, close the ones you aren’t using. If you have a chat program running, but aren’t currently chatting, close the program. Web browsers with multiple tabs open can take up a significant amount of memory; close tabs that you aren’t using to help get clear out some RAM.


Some programs will continue running even after you’ve closed the window. You can see most of these programs in the System Tray, which is located in the bottom-right corner of the desktop, next to the clock. Hover your mouse over the icons to see which programs are still active.

Restart Windows Explorer

Press Ctrl+Alt+Del and select the Task Manager from the list of options. The Task Manager window will open. Click on the Processes tab.


Windows Explorer is the user interface for the Windows operating system. Restarting it clears it from the RAM and reloads it, potentially freeing up some memory. Look for explorer.exe and hit End Process. You can sort by program name by clicking the Image Name category. If done correctly, your taskbar and desktop icons will disappear.


Click on the ‘Applications’ tab, and then click the ‘New Task…’ button. In the window that opens, type “explorer.exe” into the text field and click OK. Explorer will open and your taskbar and desktop icons will reappear.

upcleaner

If you want a much easier way to free up RAM, a windows optimization tool serves as the best option for you. Here I recommend a totally free one to you, which is called UPCleaner. It is a permanently free Windows PC optimization tool that blitzes clutter and unwanted files from your computer, leaving it in tip top condition and faster than ever.


Ultimate PC Cleaner Tool clears memory to keep your computer at peak performance on real-time, cleaning your RAM and enhancing the performance of your system. You can release memory with a single tap to speed up your computer. Based on the quick optimization feature, it can smart shut down unnecessary background programs and services and find out what is slowing down your computer. In addition, its web browser protection may secure your browser with the one-click lock.