RAM cache is the portion of your RAM (Random Access Memory) used to store frequently accessed data by your computer. When your memory gets full, you may experience performance problems, error messages, program crashes, and more. Clearing your RAM cache and freeing up memory can help resolve these issues and improve overall system performance. This guide provides various methods to achieve this on a Windows PC.
How to clear your RAM cache on Windows
These methods range from simple restarts to advanced tools, helping you free up memory efficiently without specialized knowledge.
Restart your computer
- Save all your open work to avoid data loss.
- Click the Start menu and select Power > Restart.
- Wait for the computer to fully reboot, which clears all data from the RAM cache.
Use RAMMap to analyze and empty the standby list
- Open your web browser and visit the Microsoft Sysinternals page.
- Click the Download RAMMap button to get the ZIP file.
- Extract the downloaded ZIP file to a folder on your computer.
- Open the extracted folder and locate RAMMap.exe.
- Right-click RAMMap.exe and select Run as administrator.
- Click Agree to accept the terms.
- Click Empty in the top menu bar.
- Select Empty Standby List to clear the cache.
Create a desktop shortcut to flush the RAM cache
- Right-click on an empty area of your desktop and select New > Shortcut.
- In the location field, type %windir%\system32\rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks.
- Click Next to proceed.
- Enter a name like Flush RAM Cache and click Finish.
- To use it, double-click the shortcut icon on your desktop whenever needed.
Close background applications
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click the Processes tab at the top.
- Look at the Memory column to identify processes using the most RAM.
- Select an unnecessary process and click End task.
- Repeat for other high-memory processes, but avoid ending essential system ones.
Close unused browser tabs and extensions
- Open your web browser and review all open tabs.
- Click the X icon on tabs you are not currently using to close them.
- To manage extensions, click the browser’s menu (three dots or lines) and select Extensions or Add-ons.
- Remove or disable any unused extensions to reduce ongoing memory usage.
Limit startup programs
- Click the Start menu and select the Settings gear icon.
- Click Apps in the Settings window.
- Select Startup from the left sidebar.
- Review the list and toggle off programs you do not need to launch automatically.
- Restart your computer to apply the changes.
Delete temporary files
- Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type %temp% and click OK.
- Press Ctrl + A to select all files in the folder.
- Press Delete to remove them; skip any in use.
- Empty the Recycle Bin afterward to fully free the space.
Update drivers and software
- Click the Start menu and select the Settings gear icon.
- Click Windows Update (Windows 11) or Update & Security (Windows 10).
- Click Check for updates and install any available ones.
- Restart your computer if prompted to ensure updates take effect.
- Repeat this process regularly for ongoing efficiency.
Disable visual effects
- Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type sysdm.cpl and click OK.
- Click the Advanced tab in the System Properties window.
- Under Performance, click Settings.
- Select Adjust for best performance and click Apply, then OK.
Clear the page file upon shutdown
- Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and click OK to open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management in the left pane.
- Double-click ClearPageFileAtShutdown in the right pane.
- Set the value to 1, then click OK.
- Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer for the change to apply.
Regularly clearing your RAM cache helps maintain smooth operation by preventing slowdowns and crashes caused by memory overload. It ensures that your system prioritizes essential tasks, leading to faster response times for everyday activities like browsing or document editing. While these methods provide quick relief, they highlight the importance of understanding your computer’s resource limits.
Over time, poor memory management can lead to frustrating issues like frequent freezes or error notifications, disrupting productivity. By incorporating these habits, you extend your hardware’s lifespan and avoid unnecessary upgrades. If problems persist despite these steps, investing in more RAM offers a lasting solution for demanding workloads.
