- Free Up Virtual Memory Windows 10
- Free Up Cached Memory Windows 10
- Free Up Memory Windows 10 Dell
- Free Up Memory On Laptop Windows 10
Free up space for Windows 10 updates Windows 10 updates provide the latest features and security improvements to help keep your PC more current and more secure. If your PC is running Windows 10 Fall Creators Update and higher version, you can free up disk space by turning on OneDrive Files On-Demand. With this feature enabled, you'll be able to get to your OneDrive files from your PC without having to download them all, thus, freeing up a lot of disk space. How to Free Up RAM with Windows 10 Task Manager Time needed: 3 minutes. On Windows 10, the easiest way to clear RAM without restarting is via a familiar tool, Task Manager. You can use Microsoft’s. If you need to free up some disk space on your PC, Windows 10 provides a dedicated settings menu to make the process easier. From here, you can see how much space has been used on your device,.
When you use up all of the available RAM on your computer, you may notice that your device struggles to complete tasks. If you find that your computer’s applications are frequently crashing and it takes longer to do simple tasks, then you might be wondering how to free up RAM on your computer.
What is RAM?
Your computer’s Random Access Memory (RAM) is stored on a memory chip that is typically found on the motherboard. This where your computer stores short term data. RAM is the hub of storage for all active and running programs and processes. Your computer uses the information it has stored in RAM to complete tasks while simultaneously receiving and performing other functions.
When you use up all of the available RAM memory, your computer’s performance can slow down because it doesn’t have the storage required to complete its tasks. When you clear RAM space, it gives your computer the capability to carry out tasks. Depending on your computer, there are a few different ways you can free up RAM space.
How to Make the Most of Your RAM
It can be easy to use up your RAM because it supports so many functions. Before you start removing programs from your computer, try these quick fixes to free up RAM space.
Restart Your Computer
The first thing you can try to free up RAM is restarting your computer. When you restart or turn off your computer, all of your RAM (stored data) will be wiped clean and programs will be rebooted. This can potentially clear out some processes and programs that are running behind the scenes, taking up your RAM storage.
Update Your Software
It’s important to be running the most updated versions of your computer software and applications. Older renditions of software and apps can take more memory to process, causing your computer to slow down.
Try a Different Browser
Something else you can try is changing browsers, as some have been known to use more data than others. If you’re not already, try using a browser like Chrome or Firefox, which are typically good browsers for memory management.
Clear Your Cache
If you still find yourself short on RAM, the next option is to try deleting your cache. Sometimes your cache can take up a lot of space because it uses RAM for memory functions. The cache holds on to information that your computer uses to reload pages it has seen before rather than downloading them again. This can save you time when browsing, but if you are short on RAM, it’s something you can sacrifice with minimal effect.
Remove Browser Extensions
Many of your daily work and home computer operations have been made easy by the use of browser extensions. However, they also require memory, so you might want to think about disabling or removing your extensions.
5 Ways to Free up RAM on Windows 10
If you are still having trouble freeing up your RAM storage, you might have too many programs and applications without even knowing. Try these five ways to free up RAM storage for Windows 10 computers.
1. Track Memory and Clean Up Processes
You should monitor your computer RAM usage so that you don’t deplete your supply before you really need it. To monitor your computer’s memory, you can navigate to the task manager to check the processes. This is where you’ll be able to see which programs are running and what kind of space they are taking up.
To locate your computer memory:
- Hold the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys to open the Task Manager.
- Select the “Processes” tab.
- Click the “Memory” column to view how much space they are taking up.
You can now see which of your programs are taking up the most time and space on your computer. If you find anything suspicious eating up your memory, you should delete programs you don’t need or use.
2. Disable Startup Programs You Don’t Need
If you have used your computer for at least a few years, then you have probably downloaded a fair amount of software that you either forgot about or no longer use. After the processes tab tells you which programs use the most space, you will want to maneuver to the startup tab to stop those you no longer need.
To disable startup programs:
- Select the “Startup” tab from the Task Manager.
- Click “Startup impact” to organize the programs from high to low usage.
- Right-click to disable any programs that you don’t need.
Startup programs are those that activate when your computer is booted up. When these programs start, each one takes up a little bit of RAM in the background without your consent. After a while, all of the software and programs can add up. Be sure that the ones that aren’t needed are disabled or removed.
3. Stop Running Background Apps
The next items that could be taking up RAM are your applications that are set to automatically run in the background. You may have used your computer for years before noticing some of these apps taking up your RAM storage. This can quickly exhaust your memory, battery, and data bandwidth.
To stop background apps:
- Go to computer settings.
- Click the “Privacy” category.
- Scroll down the panel on the left side to “Background Apps.”
- Turn off any apps you do not use.
Applications are often automatically set to run in the background of your device. This enables them to display notifications and update their software automatically. By turning this off on apps you don’t use, you can save RAM storage.
4. Clear Page File When Shutting Down
When you restart your computer, your page files don’t get cleared or reset because unlike RAM, they get stored on the hard drive. So, when RAM gets stored on-page files it does not get cleared with the rest at shutdown.
Clearing page files on your hard drive will clear any RAM it has stored and help keep your computer running efficiently. You can set this to automatically clear when your computer shuts down, just like the RAM. Do this by opening the Registry Editor:
- Type “Registry Editor” into the start menu search bar.
- Click “Yes” to allow Registry Editor to make changes to your device.
- On the left, scroll to and select “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.”
- Scroll to select “SYSTEM.”
- Select “CurrentControlSet.”
- Find and select “Control.”
- Scroll to select “Session Manager.”
- Look for and choose “Memory Management.”
- Select “ClearPageFileAtShutdown.”
- Enter the number “1” under the value data and hit OK.
5. Reduce Visual Effects
With improving technologies, there are many more possibilities for computer effects and visuals. For example, you can turn off the animations for apps and icons that use storage for unnecessary effects. If you seem to be running low on RAM storage, there are some effects you can shelve until you free up more memory.
To access your computer’s visual effects:
- Open your File Explorer.
- Right-click on “This PC” on the left-side panel to select properties.
- Click “Advanced system settings” on the left.
- Select the “Advanced” tab.
- Choose settings under the “Performance” category.
- Change to “Adjust for best performance.”
This setting will disable all animated features on your computer. This will create more storage for you, but limit your computer’s aesthetics significantly. However, you can also customize which visual effects your computer will perform to your preferences in the same tab.
5 Ways to Free up RAM on Mac
For Mac users, there are many convenient tools to monitor and free up RAM storage on your computer.
1. Fix the Finder (Close Finder Windows Too)
When you open a new window in the finder, the data each window displays gets stored as RAM. Adjusting the finder preferences can make your folders open in tabs rather than new finder windows.
To open your Finder Preferences:
- Click “Finder” in the top left of your screen.
- Right-click on “Preferences” from the dropdown options.
- Check to Open folders in tabs instead of new windows.
There is another way to clear RAM storage by merging your Finder windows. To do this you will select the “Window” dropdown rather than Finder. From there you will select “Merge All Windows” to put all your Finder windows into one place. This will save you on storage as well as declutter your desktop.
2. Check Activity Monitor
To keep track of your RAM usage on Mac you can check the Activity Monitor, which shows you how much memory is being used and what is using it. Utilize the Activity Monitor to determine which apps take up most of your storage. Remove the ones you no longer use.
To Check the Activity Monitor:
- Search “Activity Monitor” in the spotlight search bar (command + space).
- Click on the “Memory” tab.
- Remove unwanted applications.
3. Check CPU Usage
You can also use the Activity Monitor app to check your CPU health and usage. CPU is your Central Processing Unit, and it carries out instructions from the computer software information stored as RAM.
To monitor your CPU, just select the “CPU” tab in front of the memory tab. This is where you can see if any apps take more processing power than others.
4. Clean-Up Programs and Applications
If you are looking to keep a consistently healthy amount of RAM storage, then you will want to keep your computer clean and organized. A cluttered desktop is going to use storage much faster because macOS views each desktop icon as an active window. Even if you don’t think you can organize your files, putting everything into one general folder can free up a lot of RAM.
5. Free up Disk Space
If you find that your RAM is completely full, but you’re still in need of storage, you can use free space on your Mac’s drive called virtual memory. This extra storage is found on Mac computer’s hard drives so that you can continue running apps. The function is always on, however to use virtual memory you will need to be sure you have driver space available to swap.
Additional Ways to Free up RAM on Windows or Mac
The best thing to do is to be proactive with your computer’s RAM so that you don’t have to worry about freeing up space. Use these additional ways to keep your RAM storage free.
Install a Memory/RAM Cleaner
If you find that you do not have the time, or you just cannot manage to organize your computer, there are memory cleaner apps to help you disinfect your computer. Many of these cleaners have special features for removing apps or extensions and allow users to manage their startup programs.

Increase RAM
You can always add more RAM to your computer if you have a lot of information you don’t want to delete. Buying and installing RAM is easy to do for a desktop computer, but can be troublesome for laptops. Be sure that you invest in the correct type of RAM for your computer as well as the correct amount for your specific storage needs.
Scan for Virus and Malware
When you download any software programs or extensions to your computer there is the chance they could have a virus or malware attached. Once you have malware on your computer, it can steal both your information and your RAM space. To prevent picking up any malware or viruses try using Panda Security antivirus to protect your computer and memory.
Now is the time to stop file hoarding. Many of the files on your computer are taking up RAM space without you realizing it. Now you know how to safely declutter your computer of these unused files and how to free up RAM so your computer runs more efficiently.
Sources: ComputerHope | WindowsCentral | HelloTech | DigitalTrends
Summary :
Receiving 'There is not enough free space on partition (C:)' error? C drive keeps filling up? We show you some fixes to free up disk space as well as how to use free partition manager to upgrade hard drive in Windows 10.
Quick Navigation :
What Is Taking up Space on My Hard Drive
In the daily usage of computer, you may find hard drive space disappearing and wonder 'what is taking up space on my hard drive?' Indeed, it is hard to tell what is taking up disk space simply by looking at installed apps and saved files in Windows Explorer. Luckily, Windows helps you make it out.
Go to Settings -> System -> Storage, you will see all drives listed there. You can select a drive to see what's taking up space.
Besides, you can even click each item to go deeper. For instance, you will be able to see how much disk space an app/game takes.
Right now, we show you how to clean hard drive in multiple solutions.
Fix #1: Delete Unnecessary Files
Here are two approaches for you to do this. The first one is to select and delete some files you no longer use manually. The second one is to make use of Storage Sense. Storage Sense was introduced in Windows 10 version 1703 to get rid of temporary files and stuff in your Recycle Bin. If you have Storage Sense turned on in Settings, Windows can automatically free disk space by removing files you don't need.
If your Storage Sense is still OFF, you can now make it work.
Step 1. Go to Start menu -> Settings -> System -> Storage. Toggle the option for 'Storage Sense' ON and click the option 'Change how we free up space'.
Step 2. In the next window, check what kind of temporary files to delete. You can also press 'Clean now' to free up disk space Windows 10 now.
Fix #2: Uninstall Apps You No Longer Need
If you have some programs installed for problem-solving and now they are no longer needed, you can go ahead and uninstall them to free up disk space. To do this, right-click Windows Start menu and click 'Programs and Features'. Then right click the program you no longer need and choose 'Uninstall'. Repeat this process to remove the rest unnecessary apps.
Fix #3: Run Disk Cleanup
Disk Cleanup is a built-in tool that deletes temporary and unimportant files. When your hard drive like C drive keeps filling up, you can go ahead and use Disk Cleanup to free disk space. Simple guide is shown below:
Step 1. Go to Explorer and navigate to 'This PC'. Then right-click the drive you want to clean up and choose 'Disk Cleanup' from the best match.
Step 2. After several minutes' calculation, you will be given a new interface listing files in total that can be cleaned as well as the file size taken by each file type. At this time, check the ones you don't want and click OK.
Fix #4: Disable Hibernation Mode
Hibernation in computing is to power down a computer while maintaining its state. If you have enabled Hibernation Mode in Windows, by changing the Folder Options to 'Show hidden files, folders and drives' and unchecking 'Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)', you will find a file named 'hiberfil.sys' located in the C drive, taking several gigabytes' storage space.
To free up disk space taken by this file, you can open CMD and run this command:
Powercfg /hibernate off
By doing this, the 'hiberfil.sys' is deleted totally.
Fix #5: Enable Compact OS
Compact OS is introduced with Windows 10. It decreases the operating system's size using the combination of compression and software tricks. It also reduces the footprint of Windows apps to free up disk space, making sense in Windows disk cleanup.
Enabling Compact OS is easy. However, since you are handling the operating system, it is significant to create a system image backup before you proceed.
Free Up Virtual Memory Windows 10
Step 1. Search for Command Prompt and run it as Administrator.
Step 2. Type the following command to compress Windows 10 and applications and press Enter:
Compact.exe /CompactOS:always
Step 3. This process will take around 20 minutes. When it finishes, you get 2GB around disk space.
Fix #6: Reduce the Size of WinSxS Folder
If your C drive keeps filling up, you can go to C:Windows to find a folder named 'WinSxS'. By viewing its properties, you will see it takes quite a lot of disk space (image attached).
The WinSXS folder contains all Windows system components and continues to grow with the time Windows installed. It also builds up unnecessary files like old versions of system components over time.
Now you may ask:
'Can we remove WinSxS folder for Windows disk cleanup?'
Note that you should not delete the entire WinSxS folder or delete some files from it, as this might severely damage your system, making your PC impossible to restart or update. However, you can do the followings to remove the unnecessary files.
Step 1. Go to Control Panel.
Step 2. Set to view by Category and select 'System and Security'.
Free Up Cached Memory Windows 10
Step 3. Select 'Schedule tasks' under Administrative Tools.
Step 4. In the left panel, select Task Scheduler Library -> Microsoft -> Windows -> Servicing.
Step 5. In the middle panel, right-click 'StartComponentCleanup' and choose 'Run'.
After the above trying, if your hard drive space keeps disappearing, you may consider the rest workarounds.
Fix #7: Turn on OneDrive Files On-Demand
If your PC is running Windows 10 Fall Creators Update and higher version, you can free up disk space by turning on OneDrive Files On-Demand. With this feature enabled, you'll be able to get to your OneDrive files from your PC without having to download them all, thus, freeing up a lot of disk space.
Step 1. Click the OneDrive icon on the taskbar and log into your account.
Step 2. Right click the OneDrive icon and choose 'Settings'.
Step 3. Navigate to 'Settings' tab and make sure the option 'Save space and download files as you use them' is CHECKED.
Step 4. Open your OneDrive folder, select all the files and folders, bring up the context menu and choose 'Clear space'. In this way, all files are kept in the cloud, freeing up disk space Windows.
Fix #8: Move Files to another Location
If you have numbers of pictures, audios, videos and other large files saved on the drive, consider moving them to another location such as an external hard drive to free disk space.
Step 1. Open File Explorer, enter each partition and pick up the ones you want to move.
Step 2. After that, go to the Home tab on the ribbon, select Move to and then Choose location.
Step 3. Select your external hard drive from the location list and then select Move.
Fix #9: Save New Files to another Location
Instead of saving all your new files to the same location, save some of them to a different drive to free up disk space.
Step 1. Open the Start menu and select Settings -> System -> Storage.
Step 2. Under More storage settings, select 'Change where new content is saved'.
Step 3. For each content type, select a drive to save new files from the drop-down menu.
Free Up Memory Windows 10 Dell
Reading here, we hope you have resolved Windows disk cleanup. But if partition bar gets red from time to time, you still have the last choice…
Fix #10: Get a Larger Hard Drive
Hard drive upgrade is the most effective way to remove 'low disk space warning'. If you have the budget to purchase a larger hard drive, you can choose any of the following methods. And luckily, MiniTool Partition Wizard can help you all.
Before you start, download and install this free partition manager on computer.
Option A: Clone Disk
This way will copy the source disk entirely to the larger one, enabling you to extend each partition size at the same time
Step 1. Select the disk to be copied and choose 'Copy Disk' from the action panel.
Step 2. On the next interface, select the larger drive as the target disk. Note that all data on the target disk will be cleaned. Click 'Next' to continue.
Step 3. Choose the copy options depending on the basis of your preference. It is worth mentioning that no matter you choose 'Fit partitions to entire disk' or 'Copy Partitions without resize', you can resize each partition by dragging the slider on the lower part.
Step 4. Here you will be told how to boot from the destination disk. Please keep this information in mind and click 'Finish'.
Step 5. Finally, click 'Apply' to save the changes.
Step 6. Remove the original system disk and boot from the larger hard drive.
Option B: Migrate OS Only
If you only want to move the operating system to a second drive, you can choose 'Migrate OS to SSD/HD'. This feature is able to clone the OS related partitions like System Reserved Partition, EFI System Partition, System Partition and Recovery Partition.
Step 1. Connect the hard drive to your PC and then run MiniTool Partition Wizard to get the main interface. Select 'Migrate OS to SSD/HD' from the toolbar.
Step 2. In the pop-up window, choose option B, i.e. 'I would like to move my operating system to another hard disk.'
Step 3. Select the target disk. All data on the target disk will be removed.
Step 4. Select the copy options and adjust the partition size.
Free Up Memory On Laptop Windows 10
Step 5. Read the Note carefully and click 'Apply' to finish.
Step 6. When the OS is migrated, boot your PC from the larger drive and delete the operating system from the original hard drive.
For the details, please read How Can You Migrate Windows 10 to SSD without Reinstalling OS.
Option C: Copy Some Partitions
You can also choose to move some data partitions to another hard drive, which will free up disk space to the largest extent.
Step 1. Select the partition you want to copy and choose 'Copy Partition' from the left action panel.
Step 2. Select a location to create the copy of the target partition. Please note that only unallocated space can be selected. Click 'Next' to go on.
Step 3. Determine the partition size and location. To resize partition, drag the slider bar to shrink or extend. To move the location, drag the partition leftwards or rightwards. Then click 'Finish'.
Step 4. Click 'Apply' to start the copy.
Now, It's Your Turn
In this post, we show you 10 ways to free up disk space, and hope you never go to the last costly one. If you have come across other workarounds, please list the troubleshooting steps in the comment section below. If you have any questions towards using MiniTool software, you can contact us by sending an email to [email protected].
