What clearing memory does and when you need it

Clearing memory means closing programs and data that are sitting in your computer's RAM (random access memory) but are no longer doing anything useful. RAM is the fast, temporary storage your computer uses while programs are running. When RAM fills up, your computer slows down because it has to work harder to find space for new tasks.

You need to clear memory when your computer feels sluggish, programs take a long time to open, or you see a message that says your disk or memory is full. The most common sign is that your mouse moves slowly or you have to wait several seconds for a window to appear after you click it.

Clearing memory is different from deleting files. Deleting files removes things permanently from your hard drive. Clearing memory just empties the temporary workspace your computer uses right now. The memory clears automatically when you restart your computer, but you can also clear it while the computer is running.

Key Takeaways

  • Restarting your computer is the fastest and most complete way to clear memory, and it takes only a few minutes.
  • On Windows, you can close unused programs one at a time, or use Task Manager to see which programs are using the most memory and close them.
  • On Mac, Activity Monitor shows you which programs are using memory, and you can force-quit programs that are frozen or stuck.
  • Clearing your browser cache and closing extra browser tabs frees up memory without restarting, and is useful if you use your browser heavily.
  • If memory problems happen every day, the issue may be a program that runs in the background, and you may need to uninstall it or turn it off in settings.

Restart your computer to clear all memory at once

Restarting your computer is the single most effective way to clear memory. When you restart, your computer shuts down all running programs and clears everything from RAM. After the restart completes, your computer starts fresh with only the essential programs running.

To restart on Windows, click the Start button in the bottom left, then click the power icon, then select "Restart". On Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left, then select "Restart". Your computer will close all open programs (you may be asked to save unsaved work first), shut down, and turn back on. This usually takes two to five minutes.

Restarting is especially useful if you have had your computer on for several days without turning it off, or if you have opened and closed many programs throughout the day. Many people find that restarting once a week keeps their computer running smoothly.

Close unused programs on Windows using Task Manager

If you do not want to restart, you can close programs one at a time using Task Manager, which shows you exactly how much memory each program is using. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Task Manager when ready. If that does not work, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, then click "Task Manager".

In Task Manager, look at the "Memory" column. The programs listed at the top are using the most memory. If you see a program you are not using, click on it once to select it, then click the "End Task" button in the bottom right. The program will close when ready. Do this for each program you do not need right now.

Be careful not to close programs you are actively using or programs with names like "Windows Explorer" or "System" — closing those can cause problems. Stick to closing web browsers with many tabs open, video players, photo editors, or other large programs you started yourself. After you close a few programs, you should notice your computer responding faster.

Check memory usage on Mac using Activity Monitor

On Mac, Activity Monitor shows you which programs are using memory, similar to Windows Task Manager. Open Activity Monitor by clicking the Spotlight search icon (magnifying glass) in the top right, typing "Activity Monitor", and pressing Enter.

Click the "Memory" tab at the top. The list shows all running programs sorted by how much memory they are using. Programs at the top are using the most. If you see a program you do not need, click it once to select it, then click the red circle with an X in the top left corner of the window, and select "Force Quit". The program will close.

On Mac, you can also reduce memory use by closing browser tabs and quitting web browsers when you are not using them. Browsers like Safari and Chrome can use a large amount of memory if you have many tabs open at once.

Clear your web browser cache and close extra tabs

Web browsers store temporary files called cache to load websites faster next time you visit them. Over time, this cache can grow large and slow down your browser. Clearing the cache frees up memory without restarting your computer.

In Chrome, click the three vertical dots in the top right, select "Settings", then click "Privacy and security" on the left, then "Clear browsing data". Make sure "Cached images and files" is checked, set the time range to "All time", and click "Clear data". In Firefox, click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right, select "Settings", click "Privacy & Security" on the left, scroll to "Cookies and Site Data", and click "Clear Data".

You should also close browser tabs you are not using. Each open tab uses memory. If you have 20 or 30 tabs open, closing half of them can noticeably speed up your browser. If you need to keep certain tabs for later, consider bookmarking them instead and closing the tabs.

Turn off programs that run in the background

Some programs start automatically when your computer turns on and run in the background even when you are not using them. These programs use memory all day long. If you notice memory problems every single day, a background program may be the cause.

On Windows, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), click the "Startup" tab at the top, and look at the list. Programs marked "Enabled" start automatically. Right-click on a program you do not need to start automatically, and select "Disable". This prevents it from running in the background, but you can still open it manually whenever you want.

On Mac, click the Apple menu, select "System Settings", click "General" on the left, then "Login Items". Look at the list under "Allow in the Login Window" and "Allow in the Menu Bar". Click the minus sign next to any program you do not want to start automatically.

Common programs that run in the background include cloud storage services (OneDrive, Google Drive, iCloud), messaging apps, and antivirus software. Disabling the ones you do not use regularly can free up a significant amount of memory.

Increase virtual memory if memory problems persist

If you have closed programs, cleared cache, and disabled background apps but your computer still feels slow, your computer may not have enough physical RAM for the work you do. In that case, you can increase virtual memory, which uses hard drive space as temporary memory when RAM is full.

On Windows, right-click "This PC" or "My Computer" on your desktop, select "Properties", click "Advanced system settings" on the left, click the "Advanced" tab, then click "Settings" under "Performance". Click the "Advanced" tab again, then click "Change" under "Virtual memory". Uncheck "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives", select your main drive (usually C:), select "Custom size", and enter a larger number in the "Initial size" and "Maximum size" boxes. A common setting is 1.5 to 3 times your physical RAM. Click "Set", then "OK", and restart your computer.

On Mac, virtual memory is managed automatically and cannot be adjusted by the user. If your Mac is running out of memory regularly, the solution is usually to close programs, clear cache, or upgrade to a computer with more RAM.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing memory delete my files or documents?

No. Clearing memory only closes programs that are currently running. Your files, documents, photos, and everything saved on your hard drive remain exactly as they are. If you have unsaved work in a program when you close it, you will lose only the unsaved changes, not the file itself.

How often should I clear memory or restart my computer?

Most people benefit from restarting once a week. If your computer feels slow every day, restart it daily or every other day. If you use your computer only a few hours a week, restarting once a month is usually enough. You can also clear memory by closing unused programs whenever you notice slowness, without waiting for a scheduled restart.

What is the difference between RAM and hard drive storage?

RAM is fast temporary memory your computer uses while programs are running. Hard drive storage is permanent storage for files and programs. Clearing memory frees up RAM. Deleting files frees up hard drive storage. You need both to be available for your computer to run smoothly.

Can I clear memory on my phone or tablet the same way?

Phones and tablets manage memory differently than computers. On most phones, you do not need to manually clear memory — the operating system handles it automatically. Restarting your phone once a week is still helpful. You can also close apps you are not using and clear app cache in your phone's settings, but the process varies by phone model.

Why does my computer slow down again after I clear memory?

If slowness returns quickly after clearing memory, a program you use regularly may be using a lot of memory. Check Task Manager or Activity Monitor to see which programs are running, and consider uninstalling programs you do not use. You may also need more RAM — if you regularly use many large programs at once, your computer may straightforward not have enough memory for that workload.