Task Manager Physical Memory % not releasing, after running VLC MP

Specs in profile are up to date.
VLC Media Player v 2.2.0
Movies stored on 2TB HDD
TV - LG 37 inch
Monitor running off DVI
TV - HDMI

Up until about 3-4 months ago, I could watch any of my movies stored on HDD, and after closing VLC Media Player, and via Nvidia Control Panel, UN-checking the TV, and the Physical Memory %, would release and drop back down to my normal 11-12%. Sometime in the past 3-4 months, the Physical Memory % rises to ~22% and does not drop back to it normal 11-12%.

I went back to an older version, same issue. I removed the IE plugin and the Firefox plugin .dll's, and the vlc-cache-gen.exe file, as per: VLC Media Player by VideoLAN Team - Should I Remove It?

This dropped the Physical Memory % from approx. 28% to it's current 22%. Running CCleaner does not aid in releasing the Physical Memory.

I have no viruses or infections, don't have ANY other issues at all, with this computer.

I'm still running the 331.82 Nvidia drivers, which I've been running since they came out, aka long ago. I don't wish to update the vid drivers, as the newer ones are packed full or useless (for me) junk.
Prior to 3-4 months ago, even on these drivers, this issue did not occur.

I only have 33 Processes running, and only 19 programs installed. No games, no chat clients, etc.

I'm beginning to suspect that a Windows Update is the cause.

I ONLY do manual updates of anything, namely things like Adobe Flash, Firefox, CCleaner, and Windows Updates. As for Windows Updates I only do the Important and Critical ones,

I'm running Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1.

NOTHING has changed on this system except for MS Tuesday Windows Updates.


I run this comp 24/7, only a reboot will release the Physical Memory % after running VLC Media Player.

Any help with this would be appreciated.

Maybe the process for vlc not ending? Did you check processes?

Did you check memory tab of performance monitor? It can give detailed information.

You can install nvidia drivers without the bloatware. You should try it.

Yes, Task Manager show VLC.exe has stopped.
The Memory Tab of Performance Monitor shows nothing unusual, except for what I mentioned above.
Yes I know how to install Nvidia drivers. I only install the Grfx , HD Audio and PhysX portions of the driver. Unfortunately later Nvidia driver versions don't give this much latitude, which is why I'm still using the 331.82 drivers.


As for the problem with VLC Media player (which I can reproduce infinitly...here's a screen shot of before and after...


I rebooted comp to get the before, then played a few minutes of 4-5 movies on TV via VLC media player and this is the result...





I included a CCleaner run in between the before and after screen shots, but NOT a reboot.

Hmm, screenshots don't show. Please follow Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums

I can see it, here it is though,

The problem is not how much of my RAM it's using...it's WHY it has almost doubled.
3-5 months ago, this problem did not exist. The only thing I can find that causes it, appears to be VLC Media player, it does not release the Physical Memory after using the program.

The only other thing I can thing that may be causing the issue, is a flaky Windows Update.

Nothing has changed on my comp except Windows Updates. 3-5 months ago the problem did NOT exist, now it does. I thought I made that pretty clear in my original post.

Yeah that's all well and good. The only issue is...this did NOT occur, 3-5 months ago.