Compressed Memory in Windows: What It Is and How to Manage It

Compressed memory in Windows is a feature designed to make more efficient use of a system's RAM. When the computer runs low on available memory, the operating system compresses certain data to reduce its size, allowing it to handle more processes without impacting performance.

How Does Memory Compression Work?

Starting with Windows 10, memory compression kicks in to reduce data that would otherwise be moved to the paging file on the hard drive. Instead, the OS compresses part of this data and keeps it in RAM. This avoids the slower read and write processes of the hard drive, as compressing and decompressing data within RAM is much faster.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Compressed Memory

• Advantages: Less reliance on virtual memory, enhanced performance (especially on devices with limited RAM), and a more efficient use of available resources.
• Disadvantages: A slight increase in CPU load due to the need to compress and decompress data. On weaker systems, this might reduce overall performance.

How to Check Compressed Memory in Windows

To view the amount of compressed memory, open Task Manager (press Ctrl + Shift + Esc), navigate to the Performance tab, and select Memory. Here, you’ll see the “Compressed memory” indicator, which shows the amount of RAM taken up by compressed information.

Can You Disable Compressed Memory?

Disabling compressed memory in Windows is generally not recommended, as it is a built-in feature meant to enhance system performance. Interfering with this process may reduce performance, especially when RAM is limited.