How to Clear RAM on Your Windows Laptop and MacBook?

May 24, 2023 Nishanth Shetty

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Random Access Memory (RAM) plays a crucial role in the performance of your laptop or MacBook. It temporarily stores data that the processor needs to access quickly, allowing for smooth multitasking and faster application execution. Over time, as you open and close various programs and files, your RAM can become cluttered, leading to decreased performance. Clearing your RAM periodically can help optimize your system's performance. Here's how you can clear RAM on your Windows laptop and MacBook.

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Clearing RAM on Windows Laptop:

Close Unnecessary Programs: Start by closing any unnecessary programs running in the background. Right-click on the taskbar and select "Task Manager" (or press Ctrl + Shift + Esc). In the Task Manager window, go to the "Processes" or "Details" tab and end tasks for programs that are not essential to your current work.
Use the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool: Windows provides a built-in Memory Diagnostic Tool that can help identify and fix memory-related issues. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, then type "mdsched.exe" and hit Enter. Choose to restart your computer and run the tool, which will scan your RAM for errors and attempt to repair them.
Restart Your Laptop: A simple restart can clear the RAM and free up any allocated memory that is no longer in use. Restarting your laptop allows the operating system to release and reallocate resources, which can help improve performance.
Adjust Visual Effects: Windows offers visual effects that enhance the user interface but can also consume system resources. Adjusting these settings can free up RAM. Right-click on the "This PC" or "My Computer" icon on the desktop, select "Properties," then click on "Advanced system settings." Under the "Performance" section, click on "Settings" and choose either "Adjust for best performance" or Customize the visual effects according to your preference.

Clearing RAM on MacBook:

Close Unnecessary Applications: Similar to Windows, start by closing any unnecessary applications running in the background. Use the Command + Tab shortcut to switch between open applications, and Command + Q to quit applications that you are not currently using.
Use Activity Monitor: The Activity Monitor utility on a MacBook allows you to monitor and manage processes and system resources. Open Spotlight by pressing Command + Space, then type "Activity Monitor" and hit Enter. In the Activity Monitor window, go to the "Memory" tab and identify any memory-intensive processes. Select them and click on the "X" button in the toolbar to quit those processes.
Purge Inactive Memory: MacOS has a feature called "purge" that clears inactive memory and reloads it when needed. Open Terminal by going to Applications > Utilities > Terminal. Type the command "sudo purge" and hit Enter. You will be prompted to enter your administrator password. Once entered, the inactive memory will be cleared.
Restart Your MacBook: A simple restart can also help clear the RAM on your MacBook. Restarting the system releases allocated memory and allows it to reallocate resources, leading to improved performance.
Upgrade Your RAM: If you frequently find your MacBook running out of memory and experiencing slowdowns, you might consider upgrading your RAM. Adding more RAM can significantly improve your system's performance and multitasking capabilities.

Clearing RAM periodically can help optimize the performance of your Windows laptop or MacBook. By following these steps, you can free up memory, reduce unnecessary system strain, and enjoy a smoother computing experience. Remember to save your work before clearing RAM to avoid losing any unsaved data.

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