My pc is low on memory what do I do?

Uza1 · 01 Feb 2015

Hi,

My pc is low on memory and just looking for advice on the best way to solve this problem because a pop-up window asks me to close programs to avoid losing files due to low memory.

I have a 32-bit Windows 7 OS with 4GB RAM (3.21 GB usable)

When I go into task manager>preformance; it shows processes:68 and physical memory 3.2 GB with roughly 423 MB available.

In task manager>performance it shows 2.83 GB used memory and asks me to close programs when physical memory reaches 87% full.

My question is what is the best way to deal with this low memory problem?

ignatzatsonic · 01 Feb 2015

You could change to 64-bit Windows and buy more memory.

Or you could examine running processes and services to determine which are using RAM. Turn off unnecessary non-Microsoft services and remove unnecessary items from msconfig startup tab.

68 processes isn't ridiculously high, but I usually run in the mid 50s.

Run a full virus and anti-malware scan.

You haven't said what you do on the PC, but I rarely use more than 2.5 of my 4 GB (usually under 2 GB), so I'm guessing you have some particular tasks that you do that demand a lot of RAM.

Immediately after a reboot, I use about 1.05 GB of RAM.

Ztruker · 09 Feb 2015

Is it low on memory or virtual memory? What is the EXACT error message you get?

**cluberti** · 09 Feb 2015

Ztruker said:

Is it low on memory or virtual memory? What is the EXACT error message you get?

Fantastic question - if it is *Windows* telling you that you're running low on resources and it's increasing your paging file to compensate, it's possible (not 100%, but possible) that you are indeed low on RAM. If it's just some program (or programs) you're running, those will have no concept of RAM and are instead complaining about virtual address space (sometimes referred to as virtual memory). In either case, you should investigate further (with our help or without) before you go purchasing anything.