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Desktop Window Manager High Memory Usage: 4 Tested Fixes
Restarting File Explorer is a quick and easy fix for this problem
3 min. read
Updated onMarch 14, 2024
updated onMarch 14, 2024
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Many have complained regarding Desktop Window Manager and high memory usage, and since this is a core Windows process, this can be a problem. However, the solution is simpler than you think.
Why is Desktop Window Manager using so much memory?
Bugs with File Explorer or driver issues can cause this problem. Certain performance settings can also cause this problem.
How do I fix the Desktop Windows Manager high memory usage?
Before trying anything else, restart your PC. You can also try keeping your system up to date. In some cases, a malware scan can also help with this problem.
1. Restart File Explorer from Task Manager
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Right-click on a free space from your taskbar, and selectTask Manager.
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Locate theWindows Explorerprocess and click on theRestartbutton from the lower right part of your screen.
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Now check forDesktop Window Manager’shigh memory.
2. Update the Intel graphics driver
Though Windows is more than capable of keeping the drivers up-to-date, you may have tomanually install the driverin cases like these. Also, the problem has been acknowledged byIntel, and the recommended solution is toupdate the graphics driver.
To avoid any driver issues, we recommend you use an automated driver updater utility, such asPC HelpSoft Driver Updater. This lightweight tool uses a frequently updated driver database to find the perfect version for your hardware.
It is easy to use, and you can set it up and let it run in the background. It can update, install, and fix corrupt drivers individually and in bulk.
⇒Get PC HelpSoft Driver Updater
3. Change the performance options
4. Disable Fast Startup
What is the purpose of DWM?
The (DWM) Desktop Window Manager handles desktop composition. DWM makes visual effects and capabilities like glass window frames, Windows Flip and Windows Flip3D, 3-D window transition animations, and high-resolution support available on the desktop through desktop composition.
That’s it! By now, you should have fixed high memory usage or memory leak forDesktop Windows Managerand would have things up and running.
Problems with this process can appear on any version of Windows, and we coveredDWM.exe crashes on Windows 11, as well asDWM.exe crashes on Windows 10.
A few users also reported thatDesktop Window Manager stopped working, but we have a guide for that as well. It’s worth mentioning that this service can also use other resources, and many have encounteredDesktop Window Manager high GPU usage.
Once done with it, we recommend you check some easy ways toimprove the performance of Windows 10.
Leave them in the comments section for other viable solutions, so everybody can benefit from that knowledge.
More about the topics:Desktop Windows Manager
Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, Claudiu is focused on whatever comes new from Microsoft.
His abrupt interest in computers started when he saw the first Home Computer as a kid. However, his passion for Windows and everything related became obvious when he became a sys admin in a computer science high school.
With 14 years of experience in writing about everything there is to know about science and technology, Claudiu also likes rock music, chilling in the garden, and Star Wars. May the force be with you, always!
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Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, with 14 years of experience in writing on everything there is to know about science, technology, and Microsoft
