Solved dwm.exe high memory usage normal?

[chillz]

Whenever I check my task manager periodically I notice the dwm.exe process (Desktop Window Manager) always uses lots of memory. I searched around and found that 30-50 MB RAM usage is normal but mine typically shows 200+ MB RAM being used. And it never goes down, even when I close all open windows and programs in the taskbar. I thought the amount of RAM used for dwm.exe was determined by how many open windows I had. In fact, closing windows can barely increase dwm.exe RAM use.

I read it can be affected by graphics drivers but I'm always up to date on the Nvidia drivers for my video card. I have all the latest Win 7 64 updates. If I change the Aero theme to Basic then it releases the memory.

Is it normal to use this much memory? Why doesn't it ever release the memory after I close the windows? Everything else seems to be working fine on my pc.

 

[benjy206]

You could have programs running in the background after installing something. How long is this going on would you know?

 

[benjy206]

Here is mine

 

[chillz]

I think it's been this way for awhile. I don't believe any programs are running in the background. This happens even when I haven't installed anything. I don't know how to interpret the info but I'll post it. Right now it's only using 66 MB RAM but eventually it will keep climbing into the hundreds.

 

[benjy206]

Well some programs use big amount of memory. They would be running in the background such as services and processes. But maybe you have things that are running on startup that you don't need. If you go to - start - (in the search bar type) msconfig - startup and disable any programs that you do not need on start up that could help also.

But be carefull not to stop stuff that runs your programs or system that you do need.

 

[logicearth]

I fail to see the concern. You have so much RAM you do not need to protect it. Let the machine use your RAM it helps performance.

 

[Layback Bear]

I agree with logicearth. I don't see a problem.

 

[benjy206]

Exactly but if he wants to save some he can do that but he wouldnt need to

 

[chillz]

I know I have enough memory but I guess I'm more interested in why dwm.exe is using so much more RAM than it's supposed to on my pc.

Is dwm.exe supposed to release memory after you close windows?

How much memory does it typically use on your computers?

Do you want me to post all my processes and startup services?

 

[benjy206]

Like said there is no problem with your memory. But if you wanted you could stop startup programs and services to reduce some but really no need

 

[Layback Bear]

Desktop Window Manager (dwm.exe) is the compositing window manager that gives you all those pretty effects in Windows Vista: Transparent windows, live taskbar thumbnails
What happens in Vista is that applications write the picture of their window to a specific place in memory, and then Windows creates one “composite” view of all the windows on the screen before sending it to your monitor. Because Vista is keeping track of the contents of each window, it can add effects when layering the windows such as the transparency we’re all used to, as well as the live preview thumbnails..
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It should be the same in Windows 7.

 

[chillz]

Well that didn't really answer my questions but if it's not abnormal to use that much memory then I guess nothing's wrong. Thanks.

 

[benjy206]

No you memory is fine and you don't need to worrie about anything. If everything is answered for you please mark as solved

 

[Layback Bear]

Well yes it does tell something. It shows that Desktop Window Manager is what is using that ram you are concerned with and that it is normal.

 

[ro88]

Hello! I'm new here, and I hope you can solve my problem!
I've found the same problem of chillz, on a Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit. Is it not worrying?
Usually, task manager tells me that the memory usage is about 2.50gb (so, not 1.95 as in the picture)
I know that chrome consumes a lot of memory too, but I will try to solve it!

Thank you!

(ps. forgive any English mistake! I'm Italian, as you can see from the task manager )

 

[logicearth]

Ro88, There is nothing wrong in the screen shots you showed. NOTHING.