Too much memory being used. What can I do?

mia928 · 18 Mar 2013

x BlueRobot said:

Scan for any malware:

For the Windows Defender Offline, it says that I need to create the CD on a different computer. Do I absolutely have to? I only have this computer.

Anti-rootkit utility found no threats.

Ascendents · 18 Mar 2013

You can use this program i use it and it works very well just go in the options and enable trim processes' working set every 5 minutes and if you want you can start memory cleaner with windows

Memory Cleaner - Software - Koshy John

mia928 · 18 Mar 2013

Ascendents said:

You can use this program i use it and it works very well just go in the options and enable trim processes' working set every 5 minutes and if you want you can start memory cleaner with windows

Memory Cleaner - Software - Koshy John

Neat little tool... but it still doesn't explain where all my RAM goes.. even when Firefox isn't open.
Either way, I will keep this running as it does seem to help a little.

proudtobegreek · 19 Mar 2013

I think you could cut down on your processes,all i see in your snipets,is 75+ instances running.Each and everyone of them,is consuming portions of RAM,lots or less.Download CCleaner,go to startup tab,cut down unnecessary startup items.Try Autoruns for Windows and keep an eye on what is running on logon and trim down.You could even disable several unused Windows services,not as a performance gain,but to cut down on your memory usage.

x BlueRobot · 19 Mar 2013

CCleaner is a great utility, however, you can also reduce the number of program at Startup by:

Startup Programs - Change

I prefer to use Method 3 of the tutorial. Method 5 will show you how to use CCleaner.

After completing the tutorial, open IE, and then post a screenshot of Resource Monitor (Memory tab).

TVeblen · 19 Mar 2013

One step that lots of folks miss when diagnosing these kinds of problems is to restart the computer.

If a program has a memory leak it claims and then does not release memory addresses even after closing the program (that is the very nature and cause of a memory leak).
Only by restarting the computer can the system reclaim those addresses as free. Sometimes it can be necessary to completely shut down and then cold boot to reclaim them.

A good test is to shut down, then start up and check memory usage as soon as you get to the desktop. If it is normal at first start that is a very good indication it is a problematic program.

mia928 · 20 Mar 2013

I did the restart suggestion...the first one attached is the first restart. The second one is the second restart, after deleting a few programs.

Notice that part where it goes up all of a sudden? I have no idea what triggers it.. by that point, I have closed any programs that that came up at startup and it is just sitting there not doing anything.

I will download ccleaner soon.

x BlueRobot · 20 Mar 2013

Does it drop again afterwards? Please post a screenshot of Resource Monitor when launching IE (do not open Firefox at all).

So,

Restart/Boot > Launch IE > Post Screenshot