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Investigating operating system memory usage

Purpose

This article describes how to determine memory usage. Memory usage information is useful in addressing problems encountered with an operating system as a result of a process taking up excessive memory or with an operating system that has insufficient free memory for correct operation. Memory usage problems result in slow operating system performance, slow application performance, and the inability of an application to load or continue to run.  In some instances, these problems can include an operating system crashing or failing to respond.

Resolution

The methods of determining memory usage differ between operating systems. Refer to the section that matches your operating system.
 
Note: If you determine that you have insufficient memory, you must limit the amount of concurrently running processes or increase the amount of memory. If your operating system has been installed on a virtual machine, you can increase the amount of memory assigned to the virtual machine. For more information, see Increasing the amount of memory assigned to a virtual machine (1004059).

Windows  

To determine memory usage:
  1. Run the Task Manager:
    1. Click Start>Run.
    2. Type taskmgr.
    3. Click OK.

    Note: If you are running a version of Windows where this command does not work, you must find an alternate method of launching the Task Manager or determining the amount of free memory.
  2. Click the Performance tab. The m emory usage is displayed.

Linux

Note: The exact procedure may differ between distributions of Linux. If the following commands do not work, consult the manual for your distribution of Linux.
 
To determine memory usage: 
  1. Open a shell prompt. For more information, see Opening a command or shell prompt (1003892) .
  2. Type free -mt and press Enter. The m emory usage is displayed.

Mac OS

To determine memory usage:
  1. Press Shift + Command + U.
  2. Double-click Activity Monitor.
  3. Click the System Memory tab. The memory usage is displayed.

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  • KB Article: 1004014
  • Updated: Aug 14, 2009
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