dwm.exe Absurd Vram Usage


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HenDGS

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Windows 11
Hello.
So I have been using Windows 11 for a while, and realized while paying games that mine vram is running low a lot of times. Using task manager I discovered that the culprit is the Desktop Window Manager. As it is visible by the screenshot, it is just absurd to have a system process using 5.5gb of vram. I know that I can restart the process, but it ain't a permanent solution. My 3070 already don't have a lot of vram for 4k gaming, so I would appreciate any help.

Thanks in advance.
1650933686857.png
 
Windows Build/Version
Windows 11 Pro 21H2

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    TUF B450M-PLUS GAMING
    Memory
    32GB 3000MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 3070
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160, 2560x1080, 1440x900
Welcome to the forum. If you’re using OperaGX, completely close it and switch to a different browser.

DWM.EXE process will consume a lot of memory when you have multiple screens and the system performance is set to the default of Let Windows choose what's best for my computer. In search type 'advanced' and open View Advanced System Settings from search results. Under 'Performance' click Settings. Select Adjust for best performance or Custom (and select the feature(s) you want). Apply. OK

Make sure your graphics driver is updated. I believe the game ready driver for your graphics card was released 3/22/22, Go to
Nvidia and enter your card info. Advanced Driver Search official NVIDIA drivers

Are you running an insider build or the release build? If it's not the release build there well could be a memory leak in whatever build you are using.
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.2314
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme+256gb SKHynix m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+1tb Kingston m2.nvme+ 4gb Solidigm nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
glasskuter said:
Welcome to the forum. If you’re using OperaGX, completely close it and switch to a different browser.

DWM.EXE process will consume a lot of memory when you have multiple screens and the system performance is set to the default of Let Windows choose what's best for my computer. In search type 'advanced' and open View Advanced System Settings from search results. Under 'Performance' click Settings. Select Adjust for best performance or Custom (and select the feature(s) you want). Apply. OK

Make sure your graphics driver is updated. I believe the game ready driver for your graphics card was released 3/22/22, Go to
Nvidia and enter your card info. Advanced Driver Search official NVIDIA drivers

Are you running an insider build or the release build? If it's not the release build there well could be a memory leak in whatever build you are using.
Click to expand...
Why completely close it and move to a different browser? Its been fine for me on win 11 from day 1. I also run 3 screens and have it set to default. Im assuming its one of those it affects some but not all?
Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    10700k@5.2
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Gaming X Z490
    Memory
    Viper Steelseries 32gb@ 3600mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte 2070 Super 8GB, +200 core + 600 memory
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 4k HDR, Two 1080p Benq and Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160/2560x1440/1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Adata XPG SX8200 PRO 1tb
    Samsung EVO 870 500GB
    PSU
    Corsair RX 650
    Case
    NZXT h510
    Cooling
    CM HYPER 212 RGB
    Keyboard
    Razer Ornata Chroma
    Mouse
    Steelseries Rival 710
Devlin1888 said:
Why completely close it and move to a different browser
Click to expand...
Just to test. There are others on MS site who have reported that OperaGX has caused dwm.exe to spike ram. The default performance settings has also been the culprit for some. If it's not his graphics driver, there's definitely a memory leak somewhere for his ram usage to be that high.He hasn't said what build he's on yet.
@HenDGS See if this article is of any help. It's for Windows 10 but should still apply though the setting may be in a different place. You can find them using search. FIX: Desktop Window Manager High Memory Usage problem. - wintips.org - Windows Tips & How-tos

I would also suggest a clean boot to see if software may be causing the problem. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.2314
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme+256gb SKHynix m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+1tb Kingston m2.nvme+ 4gb Solidigm nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
glasskuter said:
Welcome to the forum. If you’re using OperaGX, completely close it and switch to a different browser.

DWM.EXE process will consume a lot of memory when you have multiple screens and the system performance is set to the default of Let Windows choose what's best for my computer. In search type 'advanced' and open View Advanced System Settings from search results. Under 'Performance' click Settings. Select Adjust for best performance or Custom (and select the feature(s) you want). Apply. OK

Make sure your graphics driver is updated. I believe the game ready driver for your graphics card was released 3/22/22, Go to
Nvidia and enter your card info. Advanced Driver Search official NVIDIA drivers

Are you running an insider build or the release build? If it's not the release build there well could be a memory leak in whatever build you are using.
Click to expand...
Hello.
No, I ain't using OperaGX, just chrome, my drivers are updated and I am using release build (21H2). Gonna try Advanced System Settings.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    TUF B450M-PLUS GAMING
    Memory
    32GB 3000MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 3070
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160, 2560x1080, 1440x900
glasskuter said:
Just to test. There are others on MS site who have reported that OperaGX has caused dwm.exe to spike ram. The default performance settings has also been the culprit for some. If it's not his graphics driver, there's definitely a memory leak somewhere for his ram usage to be that high.He hasn't said what build he's on yet.
@HenDGS See if this article is of any help. It's for Windows 10 but should still apply though the setting may be in a different place. You can find them using search. FIX: Desktop Window Manager High Memory Usage problem. - wintips.org - Windows Tips & How-tos

I would also suggest a clean boot to see if software may be causing the problem. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial
Click to expand...
It's not exactly ram, but vram. But even so, trying the tips and I will let you know if I find something interesting.

And after debugging some more, I realized that the numbers in the task manager are not very accurate. But on average I free 1gb of vram by restarting the process.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    TUF B450M-PLUS GAMING
    Memory
    32GB 3000MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    RTX 3070
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160, 2560x1080, 1440x900
glasskuter said:
Just to test. There are others on MS site who have reported that OperaGX has caused dwm.exe to spike ram. The default performance settings has also been the culprit for some. If it's not his graphics driver, there's definitely a memory leak somewhere for his ram usage to be that high.He hasn't said what build he's on yet.
@HenDGS See if this article is of any help. It's for Windows 10 but should still apply though the setting may be in a different place. You can find them using search. FIX: Desktop Window Manager High Memory Usage problem. - wintips.org - Windows Tips & How-tos

I would also suggest a clean boot to see if software may be causing the problem. Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 11 to Troubleshoot Software Conflicts Tutorial
Click to expand...
Good to know if i ever have similar issues to start with moving off OperaGx temp to see if it fixes, Thanks :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    10700k@5.2
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Gaming X Z490
    Memory
    Viper Steelseries 32gb@ 3600mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte 2070 Super 8GB, +200 core + 600 memory
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS 4k HDR, Two 1080p Benq and Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160/2560x1440/1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Adata XPG SX8200 PRO 1tb
    Samsung EVO 870 500GB
    PSU
    Corsair RX 650
    Case
    NZXT h510
    Cooling
    CM HYPER 212 RGB
    Keyboard
    Razer Ornata Chroma
    Mouse
    Steelseries Rival 710
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