Upgrading toWindows 11comes with a few requirements , and that includes a extrusion in random access memory ( RAM ) compared with Windows 10 .

window 11 , while it introduce a horde of new feature , may consume more RAM than its predecessor , but the amount of retentiveness that it uses is not general . Below , we ’ll explainwhat RAM is , explore how much RAM Windows 11 actually expend , and how to lower that amount if your microcomputer is having a difficult time .

Windows 11: RAM usage when idle

How much RAM does Windows 11 use up ? The operating system can consume anywhere from 2 GB to 8 GB of random-access memory and more . However , that does n’t mean that all the RAM used by Windows 11 is unavailable to you for run other software .

Windows has a service called SysMain ( previously Superfetch ) that optimizes your microcomputer carrying into action , and this will often take up some of your system memory that is not ask elsewhere . SysMain preloads the apps and files that you use frequently into the Aries . Thanks to SysMain , once you do launch a programme that ’s already been preloaded , it ’ll load faster as it ’s already been cached into your Aries .

SysMain , on its own , is a good addition to Windows . It means that the apps you ’re most potential to use will be quick for you when you want them . However , if the RAM is needed elsewhere , Windows empty the SysMain cache and apportion the computer memory as required . This mean wo n’t tend into a place where you ca n’t run a plot or an app due to too much Aries being used by SysMain — at least not unless your PC has too small RAM to begin with .

SysMain encounter a part in why you might find your idle random-access memory employment to be up to half of your total memory in Windows 11 , and that ’s also why there ’s no universal fig for how much RAM window 11 uses . It will apply more when there ’s more available .

In a computer with 8 GB RAM , you will often find 2 GB to 4 GB or more is taken up by Windows processes . With 32 GB RAM , that number can go as high as 8 GB to 10 GB at times .

How to check Windows 11 RAM usage?

To assure your Aries the Ram custom , enter theTask Manager . you’re able to do this either byright - clicking on the taskbarand selectingTask Manager , or by pressingCtrl + Alt + Deleteand then selectingTask Manageron the Windows lock screen .

From there , you may train your RAM exercise in a couple of different ways . The easiest approach is to sail to thePerformancetab on the left , and then selectMemory . This gives you an overview of your full RAM , its f number , and how much of it is currently in use . To get a better idea of how much of it is used by Windows processes , do this with all your other third - political party programs turned off , and close as many background operation as possible .

instead , you’re able to switch back to theProcessestab and search organization processes . Each process will have the amount of memory that it ’s using listed in a column next to it . It ’s not a very straight way , but it solve .

call up that it ’s unconvincing that all of the RAM your personal computer is using is the solution of Windows 11 . Some background process and apps may eat into your remembering , and even on a fresh install , Windows derive with some software already preinstalled . There are also programme such as theNvidia Control Panelor the AMD Software : Adrenalin Edition that are set up when youdownload new driver . They do n’t tend to squander a lot of memory unless you ’re actively using them , though .

How much RAM do you need for Windows 11?

Microsoft ’s officialhardware requisite for Windows 11call for a lower limit of 4 GB RAM . While you could technically cut these guidepost and set up the operating organisation on a personal computer with less random-access memory , we do n’t recommend it . Your PC may struggle to launch the simple tasks and you may run into variousproblems with your computer , such as unstableness and poor operation .

Although the 4 GB is a minimal requirement from Microsoft , it ’s not really optimal for running Windows 11 . It will suffice for some light browsing , but more resourcefulness - heavy work load like gaming may be out of the question . If you may , considerupgrading your RAMto at least 8 GB for day - to - day browsing and work , and 16 GB or 32 GB for gaming and solid multitasking .

We have a separate pathfinder that can help you decidehow much RAM your PC needsbased on what you apply it for .

Does Windows 11 consume more RAM than Windows 10?

Microsoft bumped up the computer hardware requirements for Windows 11 for a reason — the novel oculus sinister does tend to employ more storage than Windows 10 did . For Windows 10 , Microsoft only asked for 1 GB of RAM for the 32 - bit version of the OS , and for 2 GB of RAM for the 64 - bit reading . There ’s almost no scenario where Windows 11 uses that small memory , even at idle .

Windows 11 sum up a bunch of newfangled feature that make it consume more RAM . From a more advanced user port to new animations and updates to the taskbar and the Start Menu to features like the Widgets panel , Snap Layouts , and Snap Groups , there ’s just a lot more going on in Windows 11 — even if you ’re not running any additional apps on your PC .

How to lower RAM usage in Windows 11?

There are a few thing you’re able to do to glower Aries usage in Windows 11 . Although we do n’t commend shutting down system processes — some are all right to close , but many may mess thing up , so it ’s best to steer open — come together third - political party processes can often help .

In theTask Manager , tap theProcessestab and then sort byMemory . The ones that utilise up the most RAM will be listed right at the top . A common perpetrator is   Google Chrome , which , although not a background process in itself , is something you often have running and do n’t think about too much . Even if you ’re tabbed out , Chrome still consumes quite a caboodle of resource .

Background processes like Phone Link , game clients like Steam or Epic Games , or hardware - adjacent apps like SteelSeries Sonar all eat into your RAM , but you do n’t need them to run unless you specifically need to utilize them . Keep going through the list and shut what ’s not necessary , and if there ’s a process you ’re not certain about , type its name into your search engine of choice to determine if it ’s dependable to close up or not .

This song and dancing will ask to be repeat each metre you bring up your PC , so if you already see that some of those program just do n’t need to be launched until you need them , modify inauguration programsto disable them for a while . And if you ’re specifically look to get better performance when gaming , we have a guide coveringWindows gaming optimizationoptions .

last , think back that eminent RAM utilisation is not inherently a unfit matter in Windows 11 , just as long as it does n’t impact your PC ’s performance . Even if it looks like your figurer is using up half its useable memory , it should dribble a lot of that when you ask it for other task that require it . If your PC is running slowly and you ’re dysphoric with that , and its memory employment remain high , then it might point a unlike problem that expect supererogatory troubleshooting to help youfree up RAM .