pc has been saying out of memory

First determine whether the message means RAM is exhausted or the storage drive is full, because Windows uses “memory” and “storage” for different resources.

1. Check RAM usage

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Select Processes, then click the Memory column to sort from highest to lowest.
3. Note which app is at the top.
4. Close apps and browser tabs you do not need. For a nonessential app that is stuck or consuming unusually high memory, right-click it and select End task. Do not end unfamiliar Windows processes.
5. Open Performance → Memory and check whether usage drops.

Task Manager shows memory use by each process and provides a real-time overview under Performance.^1^

If one app repeatedly consumes most of the memory, update or reinstall that app. Continuous, unchecked memory requests can consume available RAM and force other processes to use the disk, reducing performance.^2^

2. Reduce background and startup usage

1. In Task Manager, select Startup apps.
2. Disable nonessential apps that do not need to start with Windows.
3. Restart the PC.
4. After signing in, open only the apps needed and monitor Task Manager → Performance → Memory again.

Microsoft also recommends installing Windows and optional driver updates:

• Start → Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates
• Then open Advanced options → Optional updates and install applicable updates.^3^

3. If the message actually says the drive is full

Open File Explorer → This PC and check the free space shown under the C: drive. If it is nearly full:

1. Open Start → Settings → System → Storage.
2. Select Temporary files, review the items, and select Remove files.
3. Open Storage Sense and select Run Storage Sense now.
4. Uninstall unused programs through Settings → Apps → Installed apps.

Low disk space can cause slow performance and problems installing Windows updates.^4^

Review selected files before removal; do not delete personal downloads unless they are backed up or no longer needed.

4. Test the physical RAM if errors continue

If “out of memory” returns after restarting with few apps open, test the RAM:

1. Save your work and close all apps.
2. Press Windows key + R.
3. Enter mdsched and select OK.
4. Select Restart now and check for problems.
5. Allow the test and restart to complete.

For a more thorough test, press F1 during the diagnostic, change Test Mix to Extended, and press F10. Windows should display the result after sign-in.^5^

If the test reports memory errors, back up important files and have the RAM checked or replaced. If it reports no errors, record the exact warning and the app at the top of Task Manager’s Memory column; those details are needed to distinguish an application leak from insufficient installed RAM. Microsoft recommends at least 8 GB for comfortable long-term everyday use, while demanding workloads may need 16 GB or more.^6^

References

1. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/accessibility/windows/use-a-screen-reader-to-navigate-windows-support-tools#task-manager)
2. You experience performance issues in applications and services when the system file cache consumes most of the physical RAM | Microsoft Support
3. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/experience/performance-optimization/tips-to-improve-pc-performance-in-windows#summary)
4. Free up drive space in Windows
5. [Windows 10](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/experience/performance-optimization/how-to-fix-error-0xa-irql-not-less-or-equal#check-the-windows-device's-memory)
6. All about computer memory | Microsoft Support