How Can I Free Up Memory on My PC?

Tired of waiting? Free up some memory space.

The dreaded hourglass may be the last thing you want to see when opening a program, loading a Web page, or watching a movie. Sometimes PC users ask their system to do more than it is capable of, and memory usage goes up, while performance goes down. There are several ways to free up memory, which may reduce slowdowns, create a more stable operating environment, and get rid of that annoying hourglass.

Instructions

1. Close some programs. This should always be the first step. Imagine your computer's memory to be like a desk in a library, and only so many books can fit on it. If you take more books from the shelves, you have to make space by returning other books first.

2. Check your start-up programs list. When a PC is store-bought with Windows pre-installed, sometimes a lot of additional applications are installed that are not necessary. For example, there might be a program to handle volume control, even though Windows has this built-in. See if any programs are automatically loading on start-up that you don't need: Click "start," then "Run," then type "msconfig.exe" in the box and press "Enter." On the "System configuration utility" area, look for "service" or "startup." You'll see a list of programs with check boxes; remove the ones you don't use.

3. Remove any spyware on your computer. "Spyware" refers to malicious programs that put your online privacy at risk and might also slow your system by running in the background. Microsoft offers a number of free programs to help detect and remove spyware, including Microsoft Security Essentials, the PC Safety Scan, and the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool.

4. Clear the cache. If the Windows cache is too large, it can stop Windows from accessing RAM in an optimal manner. Go to the Control Panel and open up "Internet Options." Go to the "General" tab, and click "Delete Files," then "Delete all offline content," then "OK."

5. Upgrade your memory if you've tried the other methods and your computer is still slow. Either take your machine to a repair shop, or buy additional memory and install it yourself. It's a fairly simple task that doesn't require special knowledge or skill -- just a good step-by-step guide.

References

• Uniblue: How Can You Free Memory (RAM) In Windows?
• Software Tips and Tricks: How to Remove Startup Applications

Resources

• Windows Live: Free PC Safety Scan
• Microsoft: Security Essentials
• My Super PC: Computer Memory Upgrade