If you are planning to upgrade to Windows 11 or are already a user, it would be wise to know beforehand how much RAM the operating system uses.
Random Access Memory (RAM) stores your processor’s data and instructions to function properly. As such, RAM becomes an integral and most important component of a computer.
Usually, you must check the minimum requirement of an operating system before installing it on your device. We have covered a detailed article on Windows 11 minimum system requirements. Do compare your device’s hardware with these system requirements to assess whether your device is Windows 11 ready.
If your device does not have enough RAM or other hardware like chipset and storage, you should upgrade your device ASAP.
Also read: How to find the MAC address in Windows 11?
The RAM usage of Windows 11
Many have reported that Windows 11 consumes more RAM than necessary on various platforms.
Here’s an article on how to check RAM and other performance indicators on Windows 11.
If you have read the minimum system requirements of Windows 11, you know that the minimum RAM required to run Windows 11 is 4 GB. If you’ve less than 4 GB of RAM, you will run into lags and other problems on Windows. Gone are the days when Windows would work even on 2 GB of RAM.
That being said, it is imperative to note that 4 GB is the minimum system requirement. This means that after you have booted up your computer with Windows 11, only a few hundred MB of RAM will be left. You cannot run other intensive tools such as photo or video editing software.
Also, you should note that even when your PC is idle, it will consume at least 3 GB RAM. This means that only one GB is left for other tasks. This is because of a feature known as SysMain.
SysMain, earlier known as Superfetch, is a feature whereby your recent programs are loaded into the system memory for faster loading.
Due to the aforementioned circumstances, an 8 GB or even a 16 GB RAM device would be better for you. Even an 8 GB RAM will run Windows 11 like a cakewalk if you use it for medium-level tasks such as light photo editing or playing games on low settings. Keep this in mind if you’re planning to upgrade or buy a new laptop or computer. The more heavy tasks you want to undertake on your device, the more RAM and graphics card you need.
Here’s an article on how much RAM you actually need. Do read it to get an idea.
Why does Windows use more RAM than previous versions? A legitimate question. The answer to this question stems from the fact that Windows 11 has many new features and programs requiring more RAM.
So, remember that Windows 11 runs pretty smoothly if you’ve anywhere north of 4 GB RAM on your device.
Also read: Where are fonts stored in Windows 11?
How to optimise RAM usage in Windows 11?
Now, let us learn to optimise RAM usage in Windows 11. Here’s how to do that:
- Always close unnecessary programs and applications: Head to the Task Manager and close the program you feel is taking too much RAM and unnecessary right now. Click on the program and then click on End Task.
- Close background tasks: You should turn off background programs and apps in Windows 11 if you want to clean up some RAM.
- Disable background apps: Sometimes, background apps keep consuming RAM without you knowing them. Open Task Manager and head to Startup > click on a program > Disable.
- Scan for malware: Sometimes, malware can cause Windows to run slow as it eats away the access to RAM. Malware runs in the background and transmits the information to the command and control server. Regularly scanning your device can help to mitigate this problem.
- Upgrade your RAM: As a last option, upgrade your RAM to at least 8 GB if you’re using your device for browsing and little work. However, if you’re a photo or video editor or a pro gamer, go for a 16 GB RAM or more.
In conclusion, Windows 11 uses a minimum of 4 GB of RAM. However, the exact usage depends on your daily tasks and factors such as background programs, malware, and how many unnecessary programs are running in the forefront. Follow the instructions to optimise the RAM usage in Windows 11 to use your PC effectively without lags.
Also read: How to report spam in Outlook?
