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RameshV1555's avatar
RameshV1555
Copper Contributor
May 28, 2021

Desktop window manager high memory usage

I am on Windows 10 and Desktop window manager is making high use of memory. How I can control it? I am on version 20h2 if that matters. Pls help
Windows 10
  • KapilArya's avatar
    KapilArya
    May 28, 2021

    Hello RameshV1555,

    Try this video fix and see if it helps you:



    Hope this helps!

     

    *This reply was updated to make sure the information is still valid.

Xternai's avatar
Xternai
Brass Contributor

RameshV1555  Editing the registry as shown in the video is unnecessary. In task manager>Processes tab, right click the 'Desktop Window Manager' entry and select 'Go to details'.

 

This will take you to the 'Details' tab of Task Manager, showing a detailed view of the running 'DWM.exe' process. There may be one or more instances of DWM.exe running, and if so, right click on the process showing the highest memory usage, and select 'End task'.

 

Your screen will turn black (with the exception of the mouse cursor) as DWM.exe restarts for a moment, but will result in returning to the screen as you left it and clearing the memory without needing to reboot your system.

 

Again, this is NOT a permanent solution, but a quick fix until Microsoft and Intel can address what is causing the memory hole issue.

marben100's avatar
marben100
Copper Contributor
Feb 21, 2022
When I tried Ramesh's solution, I found that the registry key he suggested deleting was already absent but I was still experiencing the high memory usage issue. However, terminating the offending process, as Xternai suggests at least provides a work around.

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