In the modern computing world, performance is paramount. At the heart of every computer’s efficiency lies the Random Access Memory, commonly known as RAM. RAM is a critical component that stores data for quick access and temporary use. It’s where your Operating System, applications, and immediate-use data reside so they can be promptly reached by the computer’s processor. Being much swifter than other storage devices like HDDs or SSDs, it plays a vital role in the overall responsiveness of a system. However, RAM is volatile, meaning it loses its data once the system is turned off, requiring the OS and other essential files to be reloaded upon reboot. But, what if you could harness this speed and allocate more RAM to specific applications, ensuring they run smoothly and efficiently? In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to allocate more RAM to specific apps on Windows 11 or 10, ensuring your most-used programs always have the resources they need.
What is RAM Allocation?
RAM Allocation refers to the specific amount of memory designated for executing and running applications in Operating Systems, such as Windows OS. Not all software is created equal; some applications might require a hefty amount of RAM, while others operate efficiently with minimal memory. This allocation process is intertwined with memory management, a system that decides how much memory space each application and its associated processes will consume.
Memory management is the practice of organizing and managing computer memory, either dynamically or statically. The essence of this concept is determining the memory footprint of each software and process.
To enhance performance or prioritize a specific application in Windows, one can allocate more RAM to that particular program. For instance, graphic-intensive software like Photoshop thrives when allocated a generous amount of RAM. Similarly, popular games such as BGMI, Freefire, and Minecraft often demand higher RAM allocation to ensure smooth gameplay. Thus, RAM Allocation is not just about distributing memory; it’s about prioritizing and giving certain programs the edge over others in terms of performance.
How to Allow Windows 11/10 to Allocate More RAM?
As usual, open the Control Panel and search for the “Performance” word. The easiest way to improve overall performance across the System is to allow Windows to use as much RAM as necessary.
Then, click the link “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows” to open the “Performance Options” dialog. After that, select Visual Effects tab and then choose the “Adjust for best performance” option.
After that, click the Apply button. The changes will take effect after you restart your PC. This setting allows Windows to allocate RAM as needed to ensure programs run as smoothly as possible.
How to Allocate More RAM to Specific Apps in Windows 11/10?
You have to know that the increase in RAM usage varies depending on the program, and when allocating more RAM to a program, you must repeat the methods below each time you launch the software.
To prioritize one program above another in Windows 11/10 to get better performance, do these steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, open the Task Manager from the Start Menu or hit the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys combination on the keyboard.
Step 2. Now, choose the Details tab when the Task Manager window opens.
Step 3. Then, select the app you want to prioritize the RAM and then right-click it. Next, choose the Set Priority option to see the current priority settings.
Step 4. Next, select the desired priority settings you want to assign to the app. You can choose from the following options:-
- Realtime
- High
- Above normal
- Normal
- Below normal
- Low
Step 5. At last, click the Change priority button.
How to Allocate More Graphics to Specific Apps in Windows 11 using the Settings app?
If you want to assign further graphics to a specific program, do the following:-
Step 1. Firstly, open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I keys.
Step 2. Now, select the System category in the left sidebar of Windows Settings.
Step 3. Then, hit the Display tab on the right sidebar.
Step 4. Scroll down and select Graphics settings on the right-side pane.
Step 5. Choose the Desktop app option from the drop-down menu of “Add an app.”
Step 6. Press the Browse button.
Step 7. Now, the File Explorer window will open. Locate the executable file to which you want to allocate more graphics memory and select it. Then, click the Add button.
Step 8. Then, click the Options button on the Graphics settings page.
Step 9. After that, a tiny pop-up window will open. Next, by default, the “Let Windows decide” option will be selected. Now, choose the “High Performance” option to allocate more memory. Further, you can also set the “Power saving” option if the app behaves abnormally.
Step 10. Finally, click the Save button when you’re done.
Conclusion
Random Access Memory (RAM) is an integral component of a computer system, crucial for its performance and efficiency. Allocating RAM to specific applications can make them run more smoothly, especially for memory-intensive programs like graphic design software or popular games. While Windows OS comes with default memory management capabilities, users can manually prioritize and allocate more RAM to their desired applications. Following the steps mentioned in the guide above will help users ensure that their most-used programs always have the resources they need for optimal performance.