I Have a Memory Leak.

RAMMap: If you sort the columns so that the highest numbers are at the top it might provide a clue. Same with the processes tab.

Re: A few percent increase in RAM usage - As far as I know once you start an application windows caches some of those files in RAM for a faster program launch next time around. Against all advice from experienced members I tend to use software that clears RAM cache at intervals and automatically and intelligently smart trims working sets. Aslo the RAM file cache can be cleared manually on demand. However my system is not standard as I use a RAMdisk so clearing the cache doesn't hinder performance.

Ok. I finished my scans and backups about an hour ago. My RAM usage went up briefly to 24% (not surprising), dropped to 22% after I finished and has been bouncing between 23% and 24% since then (that is a little surprising since the scans are long over). It's at 24% right now. My daily scans do give the system a bit of a work out (even more so on the weekly full scans).

I've tried sorting the columns in RAMMap but they aren't really telling me anything other than I have or have had a little of a lot going on. WMP is recording a show right now but I didn't see anything about it in RAMMap. Curiously (but not surprisingly), RAMMap is a bit of a RAM hog; usage jumps 5% while it's running but drops back down when I shut it off.

I'm going to do some reading for a while, then roll over and go to sleep. I have a bunch of errands to run tomorrow (or, in my case, waddle...heck, I'll just drive) and I don't like to drive with toothpicks holding my eyes open (they kinda hurt).

I'm officially P.O.ed. I got up a little later than I planned on (a little after 4 AM) after a rough night and my miserable, misbegotten, magnificently malevolent mess of a computer had jumped up to 45%.



It makes me want to start drinking. I made a bazillion screen shots from RAMMap and the Task Manager but I have a busy day ahead of me so I rebooted, then made an image. Last night, while I was having problems sleeping (from time to time my ADHD goes into overtime and my mind races with defective brakes), I read some of the related threads linked below and learned of a program called Cleanmem (more info here) that uses a native Windows process to clear out excess RAM usage, such as from a memory leak (I'm not going to pretend to understand it). So I downloaded it and installed it this morning after I made the image (far more effective than a Restore Point). I left it at the default settings for now and I'm going to hit the shower (poor shower) in a bit. I'm just going to let it run today to see if slows or eliminates the effects of the memory leak (I understand it won't cure it).

Okay well a few percent difference isn't much to worry about I guess. However if you run RAMmap and nothing obvious shows up try looking at the "File Summary" tab and sort by "Active" which shows you which files are actively using RAM.

Nearly every experienced member here will tell you not to worry about RAM usage. Personally I'd say that unless performance is affected there's nothing to worry about. However I do make use of the following programs. Note: Just my personal preference. You can test if you like.

About CleanMem free version. You will see lots of arguments about what is written here. If you want RAM usage to stay level give it a try. If you don't find it useful just stop the process using task manager and manually delete the scheduled tasks. No harm done.

Download CleanMem - MajorGeeks

Setting it up:

It's portable. Open the folder and click the executable Mini_Monitor.exe and you should see a notification area icon and a small desktop gadget. You can move the gadget (monitor) or hide it.

Right click the system tray icon to get options.

Run settings wizard.













Edit the two scheduled tasks manually via task scheduler.

Run more often than every 15 minutes if you like. Mine is set to run every 5 minutes.

I said progam(s) but actually only mentioned one of them! Let us know if you try it and if so - how you get on with it.

The other program that I didn't mention yet takes a little more configuration.

Actually, in my post just before yours, I mentioned I had learned about CleanMem and had installed it; I just haven't fooled with the settings with it yet. The memory leak has been pretty bad. I've seen it jump from 30% to 89% in less than 24 hours, which froze the computer; slower jumps to highg RAM usage would also foul things up. I used to be able to go a week or more and it wouldn't go and stay much higher than 20% unless I had a program (or programs) using a lot of RAM, such as a photo editor and I'm editing a few dozen photos; I've seen it go as high as 50% but, once I finished and saved the photos, it would drop back down. Now, it still creeps up after a reboot but, once it hits 22%, it starts skyrocketing. I don't have an issue with my RAM being used and I know higher amounts of RAM will have more of it cached. It's when it goes up and keeps going up until the computer freezes that I have issues, especially since I have 32GB of RAM to avoid this problem (also, so I would still have plenty if a stick should die; I could manage fine with 24GB of RAM).

I installed Cleanmem this morning around 5 AM immediately after a reboot and making an image with Macrium Reflect. The RAM went from 13% down to 12%, not much but it has stayed at 12% so far (it's now 2 PM). After the previous reboot, before the one I installed Cleanmem after, the Ram usage had gained 2% in 9 hours (and kept going up after that) so today's performance is encouraging.

I have to go right now. In addition to today's chores and errands, I just found out a couple of hours ago there is a massive FUBAR with one of my prescriptions between my idiot (polite term; extremely polite) insurance company, my doctor's office, and the pharmacy which is driving me nuts. Right now, I'm mad enough to chew nails and spit out thumbtacks hard enough to sink them to their heads in oak!

LMiller7 said:

...Personally I would do something about such high NonPaged pool usage, not cover it up with some third party utility.

I would love to do something about but I have no idea how so, until someone can tell me how to find out why it is happening and what to do about it, I may have to settle for covering it up.

Callender said:

Okay well a few percent difference isn't much to worry about I guess. However if you run RAMmap and nothing obvious shows up try looking at the "File Summary" tab and sort by "Active" which shows you which files are actively using RAM.

Nearly every experienced member here will tell you not to worry about RAM usage. Personally I'd say that unless performance is affected there's nothing to worry about. However I do make use of the following programs. Note: Just my personal preference. You can test if you like.

About CleanMem free version. You will see lots of arguments about what is written here. If you want RAM usage to stay level give it a try. If you don't find it useful just stop the process using task manager and manually delete the scheduled tasks. No harm done.

Download CleanMem - MajorGeeks

Setting it up:

It's portable. Open the folder and click the executable Mini_Monitor.exe and you should see a notification area icon and a small desktop gadget. You can move the gadget (monitor) or hide it.

Right click the system tray icon to get options.

Run settings wizard.













Edit the two scheduled tasks manually via task scheduler.

Run more often than every 15 minutes if you like. Mine is set to run every 5 minutes.

Ok, I'm in for a little bit before I have to head out again (forget the calendar; I swear today is the 13th) so I've taken some time to go over the settings you have shown.

Step 1 makes sense even to me. I reset to enable.

Step 2, for now, I'm going to leave disabled, same as you. I wonder though if, a later time, I could use that log to help determine what is responsible for the memory leak.

Step 3, for now, I've left on the default—All Processes—until I find out why you put svchost.exe on the ignore list (I have it entered on the second half of Step 3 since I feeling you will give me a good reason to enable the Ignore List). I looked up what svchost.exe is and kinda sorta understand it (I'll admit to not being the brightest crayon in the box). As I understand it, it's the vehicle .ddl files, such as drivers, run on. Larry mentioned that a driver could be the cause of the problem so I'm wondering if I really should Ignore svchost.exe files?

Step 4 threw me for a loop when I tried Install CleanMem Task Schedule until it finally penetrated the jumble of thoughts clogging my brain that it was already installed (that massive FUBAR I mentioned won't get resolved before Monday, if then, and I'm still trying to sort out who dropped what balls to get it fixed and ensure it doesn't happen again). I did fool around in Edit to suss out how to make changes but, for now, I'm leaving it at 15 minutes. That seems to be often enough for my needs (it's been at 12% for 12 hours now, only occasionally going up a percent until the next time CM runs).

Now, it's hurry up and wait to see if it will survive overnight. Btw, Paged Kernel Memory has been fairly steady for the past hour or so at around 1262MB and Nonpaged has been rock solid at 208MB for the past 11 or so hours.

Okay I'm learning something. The nonpaged pool usage shown in task manager may be different to RAMmap.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/kb/2762246

Anyway let's take a look at LMiller7's idea and see if the nonpaged pool tab per process in task manager reveals anything.