Phantom RAM usage due to closed apps in Windows 11: Complete guide

Do you see the memory through the clouds in Windows 11 Even if you don't have anything open and you think there is "phantom consumption"? Don't worry, it's a fairly common situation, especially after major updates and with certain services or programs running in the background. In this article, you'll understand what the Task Manager percentages really mean, why RAM seems to "disappear," how to diagnose what's holding it up, and, above all, how to fix it step by step.

We've compiled and rewritten all the practical information from the best support sources and technical guides to give you a comprehensive resource in Spanish from Spain, with clear instructions, warnings, and reliable tools. You will find from quick checks (perfmon / res) to advanced paging file settings, disabling services like SysMain, checking drivers, or memory tests (mdsched and MemTest86).

What does the “Memory” percentage mean in Task Manager?

One of the most common misunderstandings is to interpret the percentages in the “Memory” column literally. The total value you see at the top of the Processes tab (or under Performance) does reflect your system's physical memory usage, but the information per process doesn't always directly correspond to "percentage of your 16GB" because concepts like committed memory, working set, compressed memory, and system caches come into play.

In practice, Windows reserve and manage RAM for many things besides your visible applications: drivers, memory reserved for hardware (e.g., integrated graphics), system cache, kernel, services, security, memory compression, and even background processes you don't see in the taskbar.

That's why you can see 70–95% apparent usage without having any “apps” open, and still keep the computer running smoothly: part of that space is taken up by useful caches or memory that will be freed up when another process needs it. Another source of confusion is that in the Details tab, you can add advanced columns whose percentage is not equal to the physical total, but rather to the committed portion or the working set relative to the system.

The key is not to “see” a high number in isolation, but to detect if there are symptoms: Slowdowns, freezes, an "insufficient memory" message, or a very high and unstable memory level after a clean boot. If symptoms persist, diagnose the problem.

Common causes of “phantom RAM consumption”

• Missing Windows or driver updates: After a big change (e.g. Windows 11 24H2) it is common that an outdated driver or a bug in a build causes memory leaks or abnormally high RAM usage.
• Too many apps and services at the beginning: launchers, synchronizers, manufacturer utilities and pre-installed bloatware They start automatically and register scheduled services or tasks, increasing base usage even without open windows.
• Mistuned system services (e.g., SysMain/SuperFetch): This service attempts to speed up app launches by preloading data; on some devices, it causes high disk usage and activity, especially with HDDs or low free RAM.
• Memory reserved for hardware and integrated graphics: If you use an iGPU, some RAM is dedicated to video, reducing the headroom available for the rest of the system.
• File system errors, misconfigured pagefile, or disk full: the paging file (pagefile.sys) and the virtual memory They depend on a healthy disk with space; if there is a lack of space or errors, you will see memory symptoms even if the problem is with storage.

How to properly diagnose RAM usage in Windows 11

1. Review Processes and Details in Task Manager: Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Sort by Memory and look at applications, background processes, and services. If nothing obvious appears, skip to the next step.
2. Use Resource Monitor: Press Windows + R, type perfmon / resGo to the Memory tab and examine memory in use, standby, free, compressed, and the highest-using processes. This viewer gives a detailed account of how much RAM is being used.
3. Check the “Hardware Reserved Memory” and the actual available RAM: In Task Manager > Performance > Memory you will see how much RAM is reserved and how much is actually usable.
4. Take a photo or screenshot of the Memory tab in Resource Monitor if you need help: It is the most useful panel for others to see what is happening without speculating.
5. Test the physical memory if you suspect errors: run mdsched.exe (Windows Memory Diagnostic) and if you want a deep test, use MemTest86 from USBA faulty module can simulate leaks.

Effective solutions to reduce RAM usage

Before you do anything advanced, create a restore point and make sure you have a backup of everything important. Go step by step and validate after each change to identify what works for you.

1) Close unnecessary programs

From the Task Manager (Processes) close what you do not need at that moment, especially if you see spikes in usage. Right-click > End Task and see if the total usage drops.

2) Disable startup applications

Reduce base load by disabling automatic starts: Task Manager > Startup, right-click on unnecessary apps > Disable. Fewer startup programs, fewer resident services, and less RAM being used "on the sly."

3) Update Windows and drivers (including optional updates)

Many leaks are fixed the next day with a patch: Settings> Windows Update > Check for updates, install everything, and reboot. Check again for more updates (includes “Optional Updates”). Then, go to your PC/motherboard manufacturer’s website and download the drivers most recent (chipset, graphics, audio, network).

4) Temporarily disable SysMain (SuperFetch)

If you notice constant high consumption or disk, try disabling it: Windows + R > services.msc > search sysmain > Properties > Startup type: Disabled > Stop > OK. If your computer improves, leave it as is; if not, you can restore it to Automatic.

5) Optimize and defragment (only if it is HDD)

On mechanical disks, defragmentation can help with fluidity and paging management: Windows + R > dfrgui > select the drive > Optimize. In SSD Do not defragment: Windows performs TRIM automatically from the “Optimize Drives” tool itself.

6) Repair system files and check the disk

Perform these repairs on PowerShell o CMD As an administrator, one by one: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth; DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth; sfc /scannow; chkdsk /scan; and if you see it necessary, chkdsk c: / f / r (the latter requires a reboot and may take a while). This eliminates bugs that sometimes trigger strange memory behavior; if you detect locked files, see how delete impossible files.

7) Fix file system errors with dedicated software (optional)

If you prefer a graphical interface, Third-party tools like EaseUS Partition Master include file system checking and repair. Use it only if you are comfortable with third-party software and after verifying its compatibility. reliability; check “Try to fix any errors found” and run the scan on the affected partition.

8) Adjust the virtual memory (pagefile)

An undersized or out-of-disk pagefile triggers RAM issues: This PC > Properties > Advanced system settings > Performance (Settings) > Advanced > Virtual memory (Change). Uncheck “Automatically manage…”, select the system drive (C:), and disable “No paging file.”

Quick recommendation: Check “Custom size” and set Initial and Maximum size to reasonable values ​​(e.g., 1–1.5 times your RAM if you use 8–16 GB; with 32 GB you can leave it on automatic or a moderate fixed value). If you have a fast second driveYou can move the pagefile there to distribute the load. Restart after applying the changes.

9) Malware Cleanup

A virus or adware can sneak in as a background process and “eat” memory: Run your antivirus, perform a full scan and, if you see fit, complement it with Microsoft Defender Offline or disinfect your device with Malwarebytes.

10) Advanced Registry Tweaks (with caution)

Clear the paging file on shutdown: Registry Editor (regedit) > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management > ClearPageFileAtShutdown = 1. This frees the pagefile on shutdown (safer, but shutdown takes longer).

Disable NDU (Network Data Usage): HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\Ndu > change the value of Start to 4 to disable it if you suspect related leaks. Very important note: It may affect your internet connection; if you experience problems, revert to 2. Use this only as a test.

11) Clean boot Windows

A clean start isolates third-party conflicts: Follow the official Microsoft guide (KB 929135) to temporarily disable non-Microsoft services and startup items, restart, and check if power returns to normal. If so, reactivate in batches until you identify the culprit.

12) Physical memory diagnosis

Rule out hardware problems: run mdsched.exe and let Windows check the RAM upon reboot; if you're still unsure, use multiple passes.

13) When “RAM” is really the disk: free up space and analyze what is taking up space

If the system disk is at its limit, virtual memory suffers and the computer drags: Free up space with Disk Cleanup or Storage, and to find out what's eating up your GBs, use TreeSize Free. It is essential to run it as Administrator (right-click > Run as administrator) to see all folders. Once you've identified what's missing, delete it or move it to another drive.

Is it normal to see a lot of memory used “with nothing open” after upgrading to 24H2?

Many users report that after upgrading to Windows 11 24H2, idle memory usage seems higher than usual, even without visible applications. Windows 11 makes intensive use of cache and memory compression to improve responsiveness by freeing up RAM if another app needs it.

What we consider “normal”: On 16GB machines, seeing 5–8GB idle with startup apps and services is reasonable; if it goes over 80–90% idle and is slow, run the diagnostics mentioned above (especially perfmon / res and startup cleaning).

If usage increases rapidly and “continues to grow” without stopping, There's likely a memory leak in a driver or service. Update your drivers (especially the chipset, GPU, and network) and check Event Viewer if the leak persists.

By understanding what's happening, you'll be able to distinguish between expected behavior and real problems. Take advantage of the proposed solutions and follow a step-by-step process to identify the cause and restore optimal performance to your system.