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Learn how to Clear RAM Cache in Windows in this article. The RAM is where the computer’s programmes store their settings and how they load. Since the type of memory used in RAM is much faster, it takes less time to load the programme the next time after its settings are saved in physical memory. So, if we have more RAM, we can use more programmes at the same time without any slowdown. But when a lot of these programmes’ cache files are loaded into RAM, the space available for other important system processes may go down. It will make the computer slower in the long run.
So, clearing the cache on a regular basis can free up physical memory and make your system run better, especially if you use it for more than one thing at a time. Unless you have a very powerful computer, running out of memory is not a big deal. The more apps you have, the more space they will take up in your memory. Even though closing apps can help, sometimes the memory is still in use, so some people may need to clear out old memory and free up RAM. This post will show you how to Clear RAM Cache in Windows.
What is RAM cache?
Random Access Memory cache is what RAM cache stands for. It is a way to store data on a computer that stores data that is used often and recently in the system’s memory. This makes it easier for the computer to find it when it needs to look up the same information again. This makes the computer go faster because it takes less time to get to the data. By clearing the RAM cache, you can speed up the system and make room for other tasks. Clearing the RAM cache in Windows 10 is a quick and easy way to make your system run faster. You can free up memory and speed up processes by clearing the RAM cache. This can help your system run better overall and make it less likely to crash or make mistakes.
Why should you clear RAM cache?
- Improved Performance: Clearing the RAM cache can free up memory that was previously used by temporary files and processes. This can lead to improved system responsiveness and faster application loading times.
- Memory Leaks: Some applications might not release memory properly after they are closed, leading to memory leaks. Clearing the RAM cache can help recover memory that is being held unnecessarily, preventing slowdowns over time.
- Reduced Lag: If your system is experiencing lag or slowdowns, clearing the RAM cache can help alleviate these issues by giving your computer more available memory to work with.
- Overloaded Cache: In some cases, the cache can become overloaded with unnecessary data, which might hinder the performance of your system. Clearing the cache helps remove this excess data.
- Updated Data: Cached data might become outdated, leading to inaccuracies or errors. Clearing the cache ensures that when you revisit websites or applications, you’re accessing the most up-to-date information.
- Troubleshooting: Clearing the RAM cache can be a troubleshooting step for various issues. If an application is behaving erratically or crashing, clearing the cache might help resolve the problem by removing any corrupted cache data.
How to Clear RAM Cache in Windows
Delete Temporary Files

- Open the Run command by pressing Win + R.
- Type “%tmp%” and click “OK” to open the folder for temporary files.
- To select all of the files in the folder, press the Ctrl and A keys together.
- To empty the folder, press the Delete button.
- In the “run” command, type “temp” and click “OK.”
- Use the same keys to delete everything in this folder as well.
- Pressing the Win and I keys will open the Windows Settings menu.
- Move your cursor to System > Storage.
- Click “Remove Files” under “Temporary Files.” Do not delete the “Downloads” folder.
- This will get rid of all of your system’s temporary files and clear the RAM cache.
Clear the paging files
- Press the Win+R keys to open the Run command.
- To open the registry editor, type “regedit” and click “OK.”
- In the registry editor, open the following path:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/ is the address of this folder.
- Memory Management/Session Manager/CurrentControlSet/Control/Session Manager
- Right-click on the REG DWORD called ClearPageFileAtShutdown.
- Click on the option to change.
- Change the “Value date” value from 0 to 1.
- To make the changes, click OK.
Manually flush the cache
- Open the menu by right-clicking on the Desktop Window.
- Go to “New” > “Shortcut.”
- Copy and paste the following command into the “Type the location of the item” box, then click “Next“:
%windir%\system32\rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks - Type “Flush RAM Cache” as the name of the shortcut, and then click “Finish.”
- To manually clear the RAM cache, double-click on the shortcut and run it.
Use the RamMap Tool
- Go to the official website for Microsoft.
- Select “Download RamMap” by clicking on it.
- Choose the folder where you want the tool to be saved.
- Press the Ctrl and J keys together to open the downloads page.
- Open where the file is.
- Right-click the zip file and then click “extract.”
- Double-click the RamMap.exe file after extracting.
- To agree to the Licence Agreement, click Agree.
- After starting the RamMap tool, click on the option above that says “Empty.”
- Choose Standby List Empty, System Working Set Empty, and Working Set Empty.
- When you’re done, it will clear your system’s RAM cache.
Understanding the Benefits of Clearing RAM Cache
- Better Performance: The RAM cache is a part of your computer’s memory that stores data from programmes and files that are used often. This mechanism speeds up access, but over time, the cache can fill up with data that is out of date or no longer needed. Clearing the cache makes room in RAM, so your system can give more memory to tasks that are currently running. This makes things run more smoothly and faster.
- Reduced Lag and Sluggishness: As the cache fills up with data, it could cause the memory to become fragmented and resources to be used inefficiently. This can slow down your computer’s performance and cause it to lag, stutter, and feel slow in general. Clearing the cache helps keep the memory better organised and can fix these performance problems.
- Better multitasking: Clearing the cache can help a lot with computers that don’t have a lot of RAM. When you have more than one programme running at the same time, they all try to use the same amount of memory. When you clear the cache, you give these apps more space to work without having to constantly swap data in and out of the cache, which can slow down overall performance.
- How to Fix Memory Leaks: When some programmes are closed, they may not properly release memory. This can cause memory leaks. These leaks slowly use up the available RAM, which slows the computer down. When you clear the cache, you reset the memory and let go of any memory that isn’t being used.
- Better Resource Management: Modern operating systems, like caching, use sophisticated ways to manage memory to improve performance. But sometimes, the cache might hold on to information that is no longer needed. When you clear the cache, the operating system can start from scratch. This lets it make better decisions about what data to store in the cache and better manage resources overall.
The Pros and Cons of Clearing RAM Cache
Pros of Clearing RAM Cache | Cons of Clearing RAM Cache |
---|---|
Frees up memory for active tasks | Can increase application load times |
Potential improvement in system responsiveness | May cause temporary performance slowdown as cache is rebuilt |
Helps resolve memory leaks or stuck processes | Increased disk and CPU usage during cache rebuilding |
Can address certain performance issues | Cached data might need to be reloaded, increasing data access time |
May improve stability by releasing resources | Cached data loss for certain applications in case of a restart |
Can assist in troubleshooting memory-related problems | Possible disruption of background processes initially |
Useful when transitioning between memory-intensive tasks | Not necessary for all systems or situations |
Can mitigate slowdowns due to excessive cached data | Temporary fluctuations in resource availability |
What are the risks of clearing RAM cache?
- Performance Impact: The RAM cache is designed to store frequently used data and programs to enhance system performance. Clearing it might lead to slower load times for applications and files until the cache is rebuilt.
- Increased Load on Resources: Clearing the cache forces the system to reload data from storage devices, which can increase the usage of CPU and storage resources. This can result in slower overall system responsiveness, especially if you have many active applications.
- Increased Wear on Storage Devices: Repeatedly reloading data from storage devices due to cache clearing can increase wear and tear on solid-state drives (SSDs) and hard disk drives (HDDs), potentially reducing their lifespan.
- Delayed Boot Times: Clearing the cache might cause your system to take longer to boot up initially, as it needs to reload data that would otherwise be cached.
- Temporary Performance Dip: Right after cache clearance, there might be a temporary decrease in performance as the system rebuilds the cache for frequently used data.
Questions and Answers
Here are some reasons why you should clear the RAM cache: Fixing problems with memory: Some memory problems, like system crashes, can be caused by having too much or bad cache data. So, clearing the cache might help solve these problems.
Cache memory has different levels. Level 1 (L1) cache is the fastest and closest to the processor. Level 2 (L2) and Level 3 (L3) caches come next. The system will run faster and be able to store more data if the cache size is bigger.
There may be a lot of cached memory if you have a lot of programmes or apps running in the background. So, we suggest you cut down on the number of programmes that run when you turn on your computer. To clear Windows 10’s memory cache, open Task Manager, click the Startup tab, right-click the programme, and choose “Disable.”
The information in a cache is usually kept in fast-access hardware like RAM (Random-Access Memory), and it may also be used with a piece of software. The main goal of a cache is to speed up data retrieval by reducing the need to access the slower storage layer underneath.