When a program holds RAM it no longer needs, your Windows system can slow down over time. This often starts after hours of use: apps stutter, windows take longer to open, and overall performance drops even if nothing heavy is running.
Common reports name browsers like Chrome and specific File Explorer builds that kept growing in RAM until vendors patched the behavior. Both physical RAM and the paging file on disk may show rising usage as the problem grows.
We aim to give a practical, step‑by‑step path to find the offending application or process, confirm sustained growth, and apply the right remedy. You’ll learn quick first actions—restart and a malware scan—then move into diagnostics with Task Manager, Resource Monitor, and Performance Monitor.
The guide covers app‑specific solutions for games, browsers, and business software, and it closes with habits and settings to prevent recurrence on Windows 10/11.
Key Takeaways
- Symptoms often build up over hours, not instantly.
- Check sustained RAM growth with built‑in tools.
- Restart and scan before deep troubleshooting.
- Some leaks were resolved by vendor updates.
- Both RAM and paging file activity matter for diagnosis.
- App‑specific remedies and habits help prevent repeats.
What a Memory Leak Is on Windows and Why It Slows You Down
On Windows, programs should borrow RAM only while they need it and return it when done. When that lifecycle breaks, the working set and private bytes for an application can climb without reason. Over time the free pool shrinks and the system must work harder to keep everything running.
How software holds onto RAM it no longer needs
An application or background process may keep allocations after its task ends. That shows up as sustained growth in Working Set or Private bytes, not just a brief spike.
Leaks can come from user‑mode apps like browsers and games, or from kernel drivers and services. The origin changes how you diagnose the cause.
RAM vs virtual memory: paging file impact on performance
As RAM fills, Windows pushes pages to the paging file on disk. Disk paging is far slower than RAM, so switching becomes choppy and apps lag.
OS pools such as Pool Nonpaged Bytes and Pool Paged Bytes can also trend up when kernel allocations stay resident. That increases disk and CPU work and harms responsiveness.
- Define the problem by watching for sustained growth, not single spikes.
- Look for rising “In Use” with falling “Free” in Task Manager.
- Keep Windows and drivers current — many issues are resolved in updates.
Recognize the Signs: Symptoms That Point to a Memory Leak
Slow, steady RAM growth that shows up after a full day of use is one of the clearest signs something in your system isn’t releasing allocations.
Typical indicators include high RAM usage while only light apps run, frequent freezes, and slow response when opening new windows. You may see repeated “Out of memory” errors or fail to launch additional programs.
Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and sort by Memory to spot one or two processes that dominate. Resource Monitor helps check Working Set and Private values, though it only shows short history; use Performance Monitor for long traces.
- Performance that worsens over hours and improves after a restart suggests a sustained leak rather than a single spike.
- Closing an app but seeing no drop in memory usage points to a program or background service retaining allocations.
- Consider other causes—malware, outdated drivers, or too little RAM—and run scans and updates while you check trends.
Keep brief notes of when issues occur and what you opened. A timeline speeds diagnosis and helps confirm whether the problem is tied to specific applications or system components.
Memory leak fix: Quick Actions to Try First
Start with easy steps that separate transient behavior from a true problem. These quick checks save time and tell you whether to move on to deeper diagnostics.
Restart to clear stuck allocations and retest
Reboot your computer to flush running processes and get a clean baseline.
After restart, open your usual apps and watch RAM for 15–30 minutes. If high use returns, you likely have a reproducible issue to track.
Run a full malware scan before deeper troubleshooting
Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Scan options and run a Full scan.
Apply recommended removals, reboot, and retest. Malware can spawn hidden services that hold memory and mimic real problems.
Use Windows Memory Diagnostic to check RAM health
Run the windows memory diagnostic tool and choose “Restart now and check for problems.”
Review results after boot; faulty RAM usually needs replacement rather than software changes.
- Keep tests simple—avoid many browser tabs during trials.
- Note how long until degradation; that helps later tracing with Performance Monitor.
- Watch paging file and disk activity for signs of virtual memory pressure.
Detect Leaks with Built‑In Windows Tools
Begin with the system’s own diagnostic tools to find processes that steadily grow in use. These steps show which apps and services consume RAM and whether the rise is sustained over hours.
Open Task Manager to identify memory‑hungry processes
Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open task manager, then go to Processes and sort by Memory. Note any process that uses far more RAM than peers.
Close the related tabs or windows and observe. A single spike isn’t proof of a leak — watch behavior over time.
Use Resource Monitor for real‑time trends
Press Win+R, type resmon, and open the Memory tab. Check Working Set and Private columns and the Physical Memory graph.
This tool is great for live diagnostics, but it only holds about 60 seconds of data, so treat it as a snapshot of current usage.
Track long‑term growth with Performance Monitor
Run perfmon, add counters such as Pool Nonpaged Bytes, Pool Paged Bytes, and Paging File % Usage. Set a 600‑second sample and a 24‑hour duration to capture slow rises.
- Export readings at intervals so you can compare before and after updates, driver changes, or clean‑boot tests.
- If device drivers or services are top consumers and pool counters climb, suspect kernel‑mode issues and update drivers or disable a device for testing.
- For deeper analysis, combine PerfMon with RAMMap or Application Verifier to validate findings and help plan how to fix memory leaks on Windows 10/11.
Fix Memory Leaks on Windows 10/11 with Updates and Drivers
Start by checking Windows Update and device drivers before deep debugging. Microsoft often releases patches that reduce unwanted resource growth, such as the Windows 11 File Explorer improvement in build 22454.
Update Windows to apply bug and stability patches
On Windows 10 go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates. On Windows 11 open Windows Update and click Check for updates.
Apply pending updates, reboot, and then monitor Pool Paged/Nonpaged counters and overall memory trend under your normal workload.
Refresh device drivers from Device Manager or OEM sites
Open Device Manager (devmgmt.msc). Expand Display adapters, Network adapters and System devices, right‑click a device and choose Update driver → Search automatically.
If Windows doesn’t supply the latest drivers, download packages from NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, Dell, or Lenovo. When needed, uninstall the device, reboot, and install a fresh driver package.
- Prioritize graphics, storage, and network drivers when trends point to kernel pool growth.
- Test one update at a time and document versions so you can roll back if an update causes new problems.
- Consider firmware or BIOS updates only with vendor guidance and a stable power source.
Tame Startup Programs and Background Services
Checking what runs at startup is a fast way to reduce stray memory growth and get a cleaner baseline for troubleshooting.
Disable unnecessary startup apps in Task Manager
Open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc and switch to the Startup tab. Select nonessential entries and choose Disable, then restart Windows.
After the restart, let the system sit for a few minutes and watch resource use. If growth slows, a startup program likely added the strain.
Perform a clean boot to isolate third‑party conflicts
Follow Microsoft’s clean boot guidance to start Windows with a minimal driver and service set. Re‑enable third‑party services in small groups to find the offending service or program.
- Disable extra startup entries to see a clearer baseline fast.
- Use 30–60 minutes between changes to avoid false positives.
- If a background service raises pool or working set values, keep it off and contact the vendor.
- Record each change so you can revert settings when testing ends.
Application‑Specific Troubleshooting: Games, Browsers, and Business Software
Different types of applications behave uniquely under long sessions, so tailor troubleshooting for games, browsers, or enterprise software.
Gaming
For games, monitor usage in Task Manager or Resource Monitor during long play. Watch whether RAM climbs steadily over time.
If usage stays high after you quit, update the game and GPU or audio drivers, then retest. Record system specs and driver versions.
When the issue persists, open a support ticket with the developer and include steps to reproduce, logs, and your test timeline.
Browsers
Trim or disable nonessential extensions and clear the browser cache. Open fewer heavy tabs and then close them to see if usage drops.
Use the per‑process view in Task Manager to spot renderer or extension processes that hold resources. Update or reset the browser build if needed.
Enterprise and Niche Applications
Check vendor changelogs and knowledge bases for updates that mention improved memory or reduced resource growth.
For critical programs, schedule controlled tests with PerfMon to validate whether a patch truly ends the growth trend. Report findings and attach reproducer steps so developers can act.
- Watch long sessions, then quit to confirm whether usage declines.
- Record drivers, device details, and the exact steps that reproduce the issue.
- Test local vs. remote runs to isolate client‑side versus server‑side behavior.
- Adjust app settings (cache size, refresh intervals) where available to lower retention.
- Check background services separately — companion services often hold resources.
Advanced Diagnostics When the Leak Won’t Quit
Advanced tracing helps catch slow, persistent issues that short checks miss. Set up longer sampling and use specialist tools to pin down whether user apps or kernel components are responsible.
Set Performance Monitor for long samples
Add counters: Memory → Pool Nonpaged Bytes and Pool Paged Bytes, plus Paging File: % Usage.
Set Sample every to 600 seconds and a duration of 86,400 seconds (24 hours). Sustained rises in these counters over time indicate a probable leak.
Leverage RAMMap and Application Verifier
Use RAMMap to view committed lists, file cache, and which drivers or files hold pages. That helps match PerfMon trends to real allocations.
Run Application Verifier while exercising the suspect app to catch allocation misuse and other stability faults.
Check paging file to confirm virtual pressure
Rising Paging File % Usage plus growing pool values shows the system is under virtual pressure. That correlation narrows whether user apps or drivers are the source.
- Replicate the task or server activity that triggers growth to validate causation.
- Update or roll back drivers tied to pool growth, then keep the PerfMon session running.
- Collect dumps and logs for vendor or Microsoft Q&A if the problem stays stubborn.
Prevent Future Leaks with Smart Settings and Habits
Tuning a few system options and habits reduces long‑term resource growth and keeps Windows responsive.
Open “View Advanced system settings”, go to the Advanced tab, then click Settings under Performance. Select “Adjust for best performance” and restart to lower visual overhead on low‑RAM systems.
Disable background tips at Settings > System > Notifications & actions and turn off “Get tips, tricks, and suggestions as you use Windows.” This cuts small helpers that add steady usage over time.
Consider stopping SysMain (services.msc) on tight machines to test whether preloading raises pressure. Re‑enable it if you prefer its benefits.
- Trim startup apps so fewer programs compete for RAM right after boot.
- Keep drivers, Windows builds, and software updated to absorb vendor fixes for common issues.
- Manage browser extensions and plugins to avoid add‑ons that hold resources during long sessions.
- For server or remote systems, schedule periodic reboots and monitor pool counters to catch small trends early.
- Save a lightweight PerfMon config to compare before/after changes and speed troubleshooting.
Set a maintenance cadence: monthly update checks and quarterly driver reviews. Encourage users to report anomalies with timestamps so IT can correlate changes and resolve problems faster.
Ready to Stabilize Your PC’s Memory and Keep Windows Fast
A short, repeatable routine will help you catch issues early and stop them from growing into bigger problems.
Confirm symptoms, restart and run a scan, then observe with Task Manager and Resource Monitor. Use Performance Monitor to baseline Pool Nonpaged/Pool Paged and Paging File % Usage over a long sample.
Apply Windows updates and current drivers first—many problems resolve that way. Reduce startup load and perform a clean boot to isolate third‑party services; if an app or game causes trouble, contact its developer with your logs.
When persistent allocations remain, use RAMMap or Application Verifier and escalate kernel‑level cases to Microsoft Q&A or the device vendor with collected traces.
Follow this checklist regularly to stabilize your computer, keep Windows 10/11 responsive, and prevent future memory issues.
