Your computer uses RAM to handle the tasks it’s actively working on. When you don’t have enough RAM, your computer slows down. The following guide will tell you how to check your RAM Usage and how to reduce it to speed up your computer processing.
WINDOWS 10 / 11
Here’s how to check your RAM speed, RAM availability, and other memory usage statistics in Windows 11 and Windows 10:
Right-click the Taskbar and select Task Manager.
Select Performance and click Memory. Here you can check RAM speed in Windows 10 and 11, plus other memory hardware specifications.
If you want to see which tasks are using the most RAM, open the Processes tab. To reduce current RAM usage, you can force any task to quit by right-clicking the process and selecting End Task.
Note: Only pick the applications you are not currently using under the Apps. Don't touch the applications under Background processes unless you are aware of what you are doing. For browsers having high RAM Usage, you may close several tabs to reduce its RAM Usage.
Apple Mac OS
If your Mac is slowing down or getting hot, a demanding process could be the cause. Here’s how to detect and stop a demanding process and speed up your Mac:
Click Go in your macOS menu bar, choose Utilities, and select Activity Monitor.
Click the CPU tab up top and select % CPU to sort the active processes by how much computer power they’re using. Programs using a higher percentage of CPU are more likely to slow down your Mac.
Note: Ignore processes related to macOS, such as WindowServer, kernel_task, and sysmond, as these are necessary system processes. Check for applications that you’ve installed yourself — marked with your username under the User column.
Find processes consuming more than 5% to 10% of CPU. When you’re sure you want to stop the process, select it, then click the X button. Choose Quit or Force Quit to stop the process.
Switch to other tabs to find processes consuming Memory, Energy (battery life), your Disk, or even your Network if your internet connection is slow. Under Energy, sort by 12 hr Power to see a list of the top battery-draining apps from the last 12 hours.
Additional Tips
Windows 10/11:
Manage Extensions: Extensions add functionality but can be resource-heavy. Go to "Settings" > "Extensions" and disable or remove any extensions you don't use regularly.
Clear Browsing Data: Over time, Chrome accumulates browsing data like cache and cookies. Clearing this data can free up space and potentially improve speed. In "Settings," navigate to "Privacy and security" and then "Clear browsing data." Choose a time range and select "Cached images and files" and "Cookies and other site data."
Mac OS:
Reset Chrome Settings: If the above steps don't resolve the issue, you can reset Chrome to its default settings. Go to "Settings" and scroll down to "Advanced." Click "Reset settings" and confirm.
General Tips:
Update Chrome: Outdated versions can slow things down. Ensure you have the latest update by clicking the three dots in the top right corner of Chrome, then going to "Settings" > "About Chrome." Chrome will automatically update if needed.
Close Unused Tabs: Every open tab consumes resources. Get in the habit of closing tabs you're no longer using.
Scan for Malware: Malware infections can slow down your entire system, including Chrome. Run a scan with your preferred antivirus software.
Hardware Considerations: If your computer has limited memory (RAM) or an older processor, Chrome may struggle. Consider upgrading your hardware for a more significant performance boost.