Set Windows configuration to use less than 1GB of RAM.
Set Windows configuration to use less than 1GB of RAM.
I saved and set up a Windows 10 operating system. It's version 16xx for Pro Workstations. After setup, it runs about 85-95 processes, uses roughly 1GB RAM, and CPU activity stays between 0-1%. The installer lists old programs, similar to pre-Windows 8.1 versions. This is without any updates or using Windows Defender or Cortana. If you turn off updates (for Defender, antivirus, etc.), you need to enable them again temporarily to get a language pack (the installer uses BR-Portuguese). But then RAM usage jumps to 1.6GB. It’s unclear why this happens, but it does. There are two processes I want to disable but can’t—DWM.exe (desktop window manager) and Windows Shell Host (linked to svchost.dll). The info says DWM handles the desktop, task bar, start menu, etc., while the Shell Host is similar. I’m not sure why both exist. Changing one or the other (removing them from the system) would prevent seeing the login screen and force a reinstall. My goal is to minimize Windows memory usage while still having it function correctly. Anyone have advice on how to achieve this?
I believe it's feasible, though the overall outcome might be disappointing and not worth the effort. How much RAM does your computer have? What is your motivation for making this change? I assume you likely have around 2 GB of RAM, which should allow Windows 10 to function adequately.
The hardware platform you're using is causing memory constraints that lead to errors when launching apps, even with minimal storage like 1GB.
To lower Windows' memory usage, avoid the 10 setting. Opt for Embedded, minimal server versions, or consider LTSB—Windows 10 with reduced features.
~1GB is enough without Cortana; Defender handles updates or extra apps like WiFi adapters. It works normally until you connect to the internet and install a new language pack... as mentioned. My goal is to shrink it to 400-700MB. No limits, just for fun!
I've already tested them, but the RAM consumption remains over 1.2GB.
The issue is that I need to run games on Windows 7, 8, or 10, but my system only supports Windows 10. I also have hardware limits—I can only use Windows 10+. What do you mean by "embedded"? Can I remove a lot of system files and still keep Windows running and play online?
For devices such as POS terminals and ATMs, the core of the OS is kept extremely simple with few additions. The Windows 10 store is removed entirely. The graphical interface is minimal—no Aero theme, just essential functions. Achieving a stripped-down version is challenging; the system wasn’t built for this, and attempting to extract parts from the full release often leads to frustration.