How to lower RAM on Windows and Mac: Initial steps

Regardless of whether you use a Windows or Mac computer, there are a few steps you’ll want to try before you take drastic measures to free up your computer’s RAM.

1. Restart your device

If you’re wondering how to clear RAM, the answer is probably easier than you think. Just as with most other issues your devices encounter, a great first troubleshooting step for reducing RAM usage is simply restarting your computer. 

Since RAM is short-term data that only exists for programs that are currently running, restarting your device will clear your RAM. Some processes may be running in the background without your knowledge, and a restart is a sure way to tell those processes to stop and give your RAM a break.

2. Try other browsers

Some browsers are better designed to effectively allocate and manage RAM usage than others. If you rely heavily on one browser and have noticed it running slowly, it might be time to return to the market for a smarter browser.

3. Clear RAM cache

Your cache is highly dependent on RAM, as it uses short-term memory to reload pages that you’ve recently visited. While this helps you navigate the web more quickly, it can demand a lot of RAM, giving you minimal memory to complete other important tasks. If you’ve already restarted your computer and experimented with other browsers, try clearing your cache to free up RAM.

4. Update software to latest versions

Software updates may feel like a bother, but you’ll be glad you kept your computer and programs up to date in the long run. Outdated software often requires more RAM, making updates essential to improved RAM allocation. Speedier multitasking might just be an update away.

5. Delete unused extensions

Yes, even those little helpful icons at the top of your browser can be culprits of memory hogging. If you find yourself hanging onto browser extensions that you don’t use very often, it might be time to remove them and see if your computer rewards you.

6.Use optimization software

After tidying up your RAM, you’ll want to keep your computer clean. Then use optimization software is a good choice.