How To Fix Desktop Window Manager High Memory Usage Guide

Understanding Desktop Window Manager

The Desktop Window Manager (DWM) is a crucial component of the Windows operating system, responsible for managing visual effects and rendering the user interface. It typically consumes minimal resources, but if you notice high memory usage, it can significantly impact your system's performance.

Normal Resource Usage of Desktop Window Manager

Under normal conditions, DWM should use no more than 100MB of RAM, 1% of CPU, and between 0.1 – 3% of GPU resources. If these values are significantly higher, it may indicate issues such as malware, corrupt or outdated graphics drivers, incorrect HDR settings, or hardware acceleration problems.

Preliminary Fixes

Before diving into specific solutions, it's essential to perform some preliminary checks:

Run an SFC scan: Use the built-in System File Checker (SFC) tool to check for and repair any corruption in the "dwm.exe" system file. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type sfc /scannow to start the scan.
Update your graphics driver: Ensure your graphics drivers are up-to-date, as outdated drivers can cause memory leaks. For Intel graphics, update to the latest Windows DCH Drivers. For other GPUs, update via the Device Manager.
Scan for malware: Use the Windows Security app or your preferred anti-malware program to perform a thorough virus scan, as malware can corrupt or damage DWM.

Specific Fixes for High Memory Usage

1. Restart Desktop Window Manager

A quick and temporary fix is to restart DWM. Open Task Manager, search for "dwm.exe," select "Desktop Window Manager" in the Processes section, and click the "End task" button. This will restart DWM and restore your screen.

2. Turn Off Fast Startup

Fast Startup can sometimes cause issues with system processes. To turn it off, go to Power Options in the Control Panel, click "Choose what the power buttons do," then "Change settings that are currently unavailable," and uncheck "Turn on fast startup (recommended)".

3. Disable Visual Effects

High visual effects can increase DWM's resource usage. To disable them, go to System Properties (right-click "This PC" and select "Properties"), then "Advanced system settings," and under "Performance," click "Settings." Choose "Adjust for best performance" to disable all visual effects.

4. Turn Off HDR

High Dynamic Range (HDR) settings can also contribute to high memory usage. To turn off HDR, go to Display Settings, select the display you want to adjust, and toggle off "Use HDR".

5. Configure Resolution and Display Settings

Incorrect display settings can impact DWM's performance. Ensure your display settings are configured correctly, and consider reducing the resolution if you're using high-resolution monitors.

6. Disable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling

This feature can sometimes cause high memory usage. To disable it, go to Graphics Settings in the Settings app, select "Browse," find and select the application you want to adjust, and toggle off "Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling".

Additional Troubleshooting Steps

Disable Screensaver

Sometimes, the screensaver can consume RAM. To disable it, go to Settings > Personalization > Lock Screen, and select "None" under Screen saver settings.

Disable Notifications from Apps

Notifications can also contribute to high memory usage. Go to Settings > System > Notifications & actions, and turn off notifications from apps and other senders.

Run Performance Troubleshooter

Running the Windows Performance Troubleshooter can help fix various system performance issues. Navigate to the Control Panel, set the view to "Small icons," and click "Troubleshooting." Run the performance troubleshooter to see if it detects and fixes any issues.

Advanced Troubleshooting

If the above steps do not resolve the issue, consider more advanced troubleshooting:

Check for Windows Updates: Ensure your Windows version is up-to-date, as newer updates may include fixes for known issues.
Disable Non-Microsoft Services: Use the System Configuration tool (msconfig) to disable all non-Microsoft services and restart your computer to see if any third-party service is causing the issue.
Reinstall Graphics Drivers: If updating drivers does not help, try reinstalling them. Boot into safe mode, delete the current drivers from the Device Manager, and then reinstall the latest drivers.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the high memory usage issue with the Desktop Window Manager, ensuring your system runs smoothly and efficiently.