• Around The HomeToggle Menu

    • Entertainment
    • Productivity
    • Smart Home
  • FamilyToggle Menu

    • Parenting
    • Toys
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • Product ReviewsToggle Menu

    • Phones
    • Tablets
    • Laptops
    • Desktops
    • Wearables
    • Audio
    • Cameras
    • Headphones
    • Printers
    • Smart Home
    • TVs
    • Gaming and Video
  • One Cool ThingToggle Menu

    • Frugal Tech
    • Kickstarters
    • Videos
Techwalla
  1. Home
  2. Around The Home
  3. Productivity
  4. How to Clear Random Access Memory (RAM) in Windows

How to Clear Random Access Memory (RAM) in Windows

March 31, 2015
By: Daniel Hatter
  • Share
  • Share on Facebook

Random Access Memory (RAM) is a crucial component for storing open programs on your computer. Somewhat like a hard drive, only much faster and with much less memory space, RAM basically holds any program open in your taskbar or on your screen. After much use in a single login session, computer RAM can often bog down. Many people think the only way to clear RAM is by restarting the computer (which will work), but there is a much faster way that will accomplish the same thing.

Video of the Day

Woman helping man with computer
credit: Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images

Step

Create a shortcut to the Windows \"Clear RAM\" command. To do this, right-click on your desktop and select New > Shortcut from the context menu. In the \"Create Shortcut\" dialog box that opens up, input \"%windir%\system32\rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks\" into the location field.

Step

Press \"Next,\" then type in a title for the shortcut (e.g. \"Clear RAM\" or \"Clear Memory\"). Press \"Finish\" to save your shortcut to the desktop.

Step

Double-click on the shortcut you created in steps one and two. Your RAM memory will be restored to fresh boot condition without restarting your computer.

Show Comments

Related Articles

Random Access Memory Specifications

Random Access Memory Specifications

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Matt Koble
How to Clear My Clip Board

How to Clear My Clip Board

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Jennifer Patterson
What Is Windows Systems 32?

What Is Windows Systems 32?

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Lyan Uaha
Why Is Random Access Memory Important?

Why Is Random Access Memory Important?

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Al Bondigas
How to Increase RAM Memory Without Adding RAM

How to Increase RAM Memory Without Adding RAM

Around The Home
Productivity
By: James T Wood
How To Change an 8GB SD Card to RAM Memory

How To Change an 8GB SD Card to RAM Memory

Around The Home
Productivity
By: Ty Arthur
  • HOW WE SCORE
  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • TERMS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • COPYRIGHT POLICY
  • Advertise

An error occurred. Try again later.

Thanks for signing up!
© 2018 Leaf Group Ltd. Leaf Group Media

Get great tech advice delivered to your inbox.

Keep your family productive, connected, entertained, and safe.

Please enter a valid email.