Windows 11:Excessive RAM Usage - Large Pages Consuming 17GB
If you've recently upgraded to Windows 11 and have noticed that your PC is running slower than usual, with tasks like resizing windows taking longer than they should, you're not alone. Many users have reported similar issues, and in this article, we'll explore one possible cause: excessive RAM usage due to large pages consuming 17GB or more.
What are Large Pages?
Large pages are a feature of modern operating systems that allows applications to allocate memory in large, contiguous blocks. This can improve performance by reducing the amount of overhead required to manage memory. However, if not managed properly, large pages can consume a significant amount of system resources, leading to excessive RAM usage and slower performance.
How to Check for Large Pages in Windows 11
To check for large pages in Windows 11, you can use the Task Manager. Here's how:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on the
Detailstab. - Right-click on any column header and select
Select columns. - Check the box next to
Large Pageand clickOK. - Sort the list by the
Large Pagecolumn to see which processes are using large pages.
How to Reduce Large Page Usage in Windows 11
If you find that large pages are consuming a significant amount of RAM in Windows 11, there are a few steps you can take to reduce their usage:
- Close any applications that are not currently in use.
- Restart your PC to clear any unnecessary processes and free up RAM.
- Adjust the size of the large page allocation by modifying the
LargePageMinimumandLargePageSizeregistry keys.
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management]
"LargePageMinimum"=dword:00010000
"LargePageSize"=dword:00200000
Excessive RAM usage due to large pages is just one possible cause of performance issues in Windows 11. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can reduce large page usage and improve system performance. However, if you continue to experience issues, it may be worth investigating other potential causes, such as hardware problems or conflicting software.
- Large pages are a feature of modern operating systems that allows applications to allocate memory in large, contiguous blocks.
- Excessive RAM usage due to large pages can lead to slower performance in Windows 11.
- To check for large pages in Windows 11, use the Task Manager and select the
Large Pagecolumn. - To reduce large page usage, close unnecessary applications, restart your PC, and adjust the size of the large page allocation in the Windows Registry.
References
- Microsoft. (2021). Large Page Support
- Microsoft. (2021). Memory Management Transactions
- Microsoft. (2021). Memory Management Fundamentals