What to do if your laptop doesn't have enough RAM: step-by-step guide

The laptop starts to stutter when opening several browser tabs, games lag, and programs suddenly close with an error Out of Memory? The reason is almost always the same - **lack of random access memory (RAM)**. Even if your ASUS ZenBook or Lenovo ThinkPad equipped with 8 GB of RAM, modern applications (especially Chrome, Photoshop or AutoCAD) can eat it clean. But don’t rush to run to the store for new brackets - in 80% of cases the problem can be solved programmatically.

In this article we will analyze 7 proven methods, how to free up RAM on a laptop without upgrading, and we’ll also tell you when you should still think about buying additional modules. You will learn which Windows settings eat up RAM in the background, how to properly close “heavy” processes, and why even SSD drive may affect performance. Let's start with the simplest thing - diagnostics.

How to check if you really don't have enough RAM

Before optimizing the system, make sure that the brakes are due to a lack of RAM. Windows has built-in diagnostic tools:

1. Task Manager: press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to the tab Performance → Memory. If in the column Used 90-100% is constantly hanging - the problem is confirmed.
2. Resource Monitor: open it via Win + R → resmon and check the section Memory. Pay attention to the column Swap file — if it is actively used, the system compensates for the lack of RAM using the hard drive (which is 10 times slower).

It's also useful to run a performance test via Win + R → perfmon /report. Look for the section in the report Memory - if there are warnings about insufficient physical memory or high swap load, start optimization.

Method 1: Close “gluttonous” processes and programs

The most obvious reason for slowdowns is background processes that quietly eat up memory. For example, Microsoft Teams in the background can take up to 500 MB of RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce Experience - up to 300 MB. Here's how to find and disable them:

• 🔍 Task Manager: Sort processes by column Memory (descending). Close unnecessary ones by right-clicking → Cancel task. Attention: Don't close system processes named svchost.exe, lsass.exe or winlogon.exe - this can lead to system crash.
• 📁 Autoload: go to Task Manager → Startup and disable programs that start when Windows starts (for example, Skype, Steam, Epic Games Launcher).
• 🖥️ Services: press Win + R → services.msc and find services with startup type Automatically. Disable unnecessary ones (for example, Superfetch on Windows 10 or SysMain on Windows 11).

Pay special attention to browsers. Google Chrome known for its gluttony: each tab is a separate process that can occupy up to 1 GB of RAM. Solution:

• 🌐 Use extensions like The Great Suspender (pauses inactive tabs).
• 🔄 Go to Microsoft Edge or Firefox — they are optimized for multitasking.
• 🗑️ Clear your browser cache regularly (Ctrl + Shift + Del).

Method 2: Optimizing virtual memory (page file)

When there is not enough physical memory, Windows uses swap file — reserve space on the hard drive. By default, its size is managed by the system, but this often results in excessive space consumption. HDD/SSD or, conversely, to a lack of virtual memory. Set it up manually:

1. Open Control Panel → System → Advanced system settings → Performance → Settings → Advanced → Virtual memory → Change.
2. Uncheck Automatically select the size of the paging file.
3. Select the drive (better SSD, if available) and indicate the size:
   • Original size: 1.5 × amount of RAM (for example, for 8 GB - 12,288 MB).
   • Maximum size: 3 × amount of RAM (for 8 GB - 24,576 MB).

⚠️ Attention: if you have SSD small volume (128–256 GB), do not install a page file larger than 8 GB - this will shorten the life of the drive. In this case, it is better to buy additional RAM or use an external one. HDD for swapping.

Method 3: Update drivers and system

Outdated drivers (especially for the video card and chipset) can cause memory leaks. For example, a known driver issue NVIDIA versions 470–490 led to the gradual “eating up” of RAM in games. Update them:

• 🖥️ Via Device Manager: Win + X → Device Manager, find sections Video adapters, System devices and update drivers (right click → Update driver).
• 🌐 From the official website:
  • For Intel: downloadcenter.intel.com
  • For AMD: amd.com/ru/support
  • For NVIDIA: nvidia.ru/Download
• 🔄 Windows Update: go to Settings → Windows Update and install all available updates (cumulative memory updates are especially important, for example, KB5028166 for Windows 11).

If the problem persists after updating the drivers, check your system for viruses using Malwarebytes or Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool. Some malware (for example, Trojan.Win32.Miner) disguise themselves as system processes and steal up to 50% of RAM.

Update video driver|Check chipset drivers|Install the latest Windows updates|Scan the system for viruses-->

Method 4: Optimize Windows settings to save RAM

Windows 10 and 11 are configured by default to be pretty, not performance. Disable unnecessary visual effects and background services:

1. Disable animation:
   • Go to Settings → Accessibility → Transparency effects and turn them off.
   • B Control Panel → System → Advanced system settings → Performance → Settings select Provide the best performance.
2. Limit background apps:
   • B Settings → Privacy → Background apps disable unnecessary programs.
   • B Settings → System → Notifications and actions turn off notifications from little-used apps.
3. Set up a power plan:
   • Go to Control Panel → Power Options and choose a plan High performance (this will reduce delays when accessing RAM).

It's also useful to disable search indexing, if you don't use the built-in Windows search. To do this:

1. Open Services (Win + R → services.msc).
2. Find a service Windows Search and disable it (right click → Stop → Startup type: Disabled).

Method 5: Use lightweight program alternatives

Many popular programs have “lightweight” analogues that consume 2–3 times less RAM. Here are some examples:

It's useful for gamers to know about Opera GX — a browser with a built-in limit on RAM and CPU usage. And if you are editing a video, try Shotcut instead of Adobe Premiere — it consumes 40% less resources for the same tasks.

⚠️ Attention: Before switching to alternative programs, export the settings from the old software. For example, in Photoshop save brush presets (.abr), and in Chrome - bookmarks (Ctrl + Shift + O → Export).

Method 6: Clean the system from garbage and optimize the disk

A clogged cache, temporary files, and a fragmented disk can indirectly affect RAM usage. Here's what to do:

• 🗑️ Disk Cleanup:
  • Run Disk Cleanup (Win + R → cleanmgr) and delete temporary files, recycle bin, old restore points.
  • Use CCleaner (only to clear the cache, do not touch the registry!).
• 🔄 Defragmentation (for HDD):
  • If you have HDD, run defragmentation (Control Panel → Disk Defragmentation and Optimization).
  • For SSD defragmentation is not needed - run the command instead optimize in the same menu.
• 📁 Removing duplicates:
  • Programs like Duplicate Cleaner or Auslogics Duplicate File Finder will help you find and delete duplicate files that take up disk space and cache space.

Pay special attention to the folder Temp. She's on the way C:\Users\Your_name\AppData\Local\Temp and can weigh several gigabytes. Delete all its contents (if the files are not deleted, restart the laptop in Safe Mode and try again).

Method 7: Hardware solution - add RAM or change laptop

If you've tried all the software methods and your laptop is still slow, it's time to think about an upgrade. Here's what you need to know:

• 🔧 Compatibility check:
  • Use Crucial System Scanner (crucial.ru) or CPU-Z (Board → SPD) to find out what type of memory your laptop supports (DDR3, DDR4, DDR5) and how many free slots.
• 💰 Memory selection:
  • 8–16 GB is enough for office work DDR4-2666 (For example, Crucial CT8G4SFRA266 or Kingston KVR26S19S8/8).
  • For gaming and rendering, go for 16–32 GB DDR4-3200 (For example, Samsung M471A2K43DB1-CWE).
  • For new laptops with DDR5 (For example, Lenovo Legion 7) will do Corsair CMSX32GX5M2B5200C40.
• ⚠️ Important:
  • Not all laptops allow you to replace the RAM. For example, in Apple MacBook Air (M1/M2) and some HP Spectre The memory is soldered to the motherboard.
  • When purchasing, make sure that the new planks match clock frequency And timings with the old ones (otherwise the memory will work at minimum speed).

If the upgrade is not possible (for example, in MacBook or ultrabooks), consider purchasing a new laptop with extra RAM. Optimal options in terms of price/performance ratio:

• Lenovo ThinkPad T14 (up to 48 GB DDR4).
• ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (up to 32 GB DDR5).
• Acer Swift 3 (16 GB LPDDR4X, lightweight and powerful).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about lack of RAM

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