Solved dwm.exe ram usage in Windows 11 24H2


M

mechanic

Member
Local time
10:55 AM
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4
OS
Windows 11
"Desktop windows manager" ram usage hovers around 350MB and touches 500 MB often. Is this normal behavior? I think I've noticed this after yesterdays update.

My PC is not running Windows 11 (running windows 10 and dwm.exe hovers around 90 MB), can you please confirm what are ram usage for this process is like in your windows 11 system.
 
Windows Build/Version
Windows 11 Build 26100.3194

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Core Ultra
    CPU
    Intel Core™ Ultra 7 155H
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Arc
WINDOWS 11

ksnip_20250212-165758.webp
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home & Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen™ 7 7730U
    Motherboard
    M1605YA
    Memory
    15.0GB Dual-Channel DDR4 @ 1596MHz (22-22-22-52)
    Graphics Card(s)
    512MB ATI AMD Radeon Graphics (ASUStek Computer Inc)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (1920x1200@60Hz) - P1 PLUS (1920x1080@59Hz)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1200
    Hard Drives
    953GB Western Digital WD
    PSU
    45 Watts
    Mouse
    Lenovo Bluetooth.
    Internet Speed
    500 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ACER NITRO
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800H / 3.2 GHz
    Motherboard
    CZ Scala_CAS (FP6)
    Memory
    32 GB DDR4 SDRAM 3200 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio. NVIDIA High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" LED backlight 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 144 Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2TB NVMe M.2
    PSU
    180 Watt, 19.5 V
    Mouse
    Lenovo Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    500 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
The more screens you connect, the more memory it uses.
The higher the resolution of those screen, the more memory it uses.
If you use big size/ high definition images as background that also increases it memory uses.

So if you have 3 screen with 4k resolution, with high definition images it could reach that amount.
If you use 1 screen on 1920x1080 then the 350to 500mb is to much.

Also some application uses hardware accelation, so that can impact also the memory usage. Like edge/chome.
If you exit/quit edge, does it still stays high?
if so, then kill dmw.exe , screen will flash a time, and dmw.exe will start automaticly. Does memory usage is low now? Start edge, is memory usage growing then?

Also try updating you intel graphic card drivers, as they also could be leaking.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Screenshot 2025-02-12 171523.webp
2x 1440 screens 1x 1080 screen, Translucent Taskbar. W11-24H2 26100.3037
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 26100.3037
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Ryzen 5 5800X
    Motherboard
    Asus B550 Strix gaming
    Memory
    32Gb Corsair 3200
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte RTX3060 12Gb
    Screen Resolution
    2x 1440, 1x 1080
@Fabler2 Please tell about the build number of Windows 11 you are running.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Core Ultra
    CPU
    Intel Core™ Ultra 7 155H
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Arc
Tester said:
The more screens you connect, the more memory it uses.
The higher the resolution of those screen, the more memory it uses.
If you use big size/ high definition images as background that also increases it memory uses.

So if you have 3 screen with 4k resolution, with high definition images it could reach that amount.
If you use 1 screen on 1920x1080 then the 350to 500mb is to much.

Also some application uses hardware accelation, so that can impact also the memory usage. Like edge/chome.
If you exit/quit edge, does it still stays high?
if so, then kill dmw.exe , screen will flash a time, and dmw.exe will start automaticly. Does memory usage is low now? Start edge, is memory usage growing then?
Click to expand...
Not using any external monitor and inbuilt screen is 2k 120 hz panel. After closing all apps and killing dwm.exe, it starts at 177 MB and jump right back to ~350 MB, with peaks of 500 MB.
Tired clean install Intel GPU driver, no changes.

Most likely this behavior started after KB5051987 and KB5052978 update, or else I would have noticed.
Would be great if someone who is on Build 26100.3194, can confirm.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Core Ultra
    CPU
    Intel Core™ Ultra 7 155H
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Arc

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home & Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen™ 7 7730U
    Motherboard
    M1605YA
    Memory
    15.0GB Dual-Channel DDR4 @ 1596MHz (22-22-22-52)
    Graphics Card(s)
    512MB ATI AMD Radeon Graphics (ASUStek Computer Inc)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (1920x1200@60Hz) - P1 PLUS (1920x1080@59Hz)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1200
    Hard Drives
    953GB Western Digital WD
    PSU
    45 Watts
    Mouse
    Lenovo Bluetooth.
    Internet Speed
    500 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ACER NITRO
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5800H / 3.2 GHz
    Motherboard
    CZ Scala_CAS (FP6)
    Memory
    32 GB DDR4 SDRAM 3200 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 6 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio. NVIDIA High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6" LED backlight 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 144 Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2TB NVMe M.2
    PSU
    180 Watt, 19.5 V
    Mouse
    Lenovo Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    500 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
Win11 23H2 - 22631.4890
2 @ 1920x1080 connected and running
Desktop Window Manager - 21.5MB used
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (22631.4974)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Pre-built
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
    Motherboard
    MSI Pro B650-VC WiFi
    Memory
    32gb Team Group (T-Force) DDR5-6000
    Graphics Card(s)
    Zotac nVidia GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER - 12gb
    Sound Card
    Sound BlasterX G6
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ XL2411P and ViewSonic VX2453
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    WD Blue SN5000 - 500gb NVME
    WD Blue SN580 - 2TB NVME
    Keyboard
    Mountain Everest
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Hero
    Internet Speed
    T-Mobile Home Internet
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    QNAP TS-469 Pro NAS, TP-Link W7200 (2 unit mesh network)
Saw this and thought I'd check - LOL FF is using 6GB. Not a surprise as I run 100-150 tabs (TabCenterReborn extension) and after FF has been open for a while I have used many of them. On this one I have 32GB but it only really gets used once a week for 5 min when I am exporting a video from WonderShare Filmora(also cleans the dust off my ThermalRight aio). I do find, though that 24H2 is happier with more memory. Which is fine with me.Screenshot 2025-02-12 150214.webp
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    win 11Pro, 24H2, 26100.3194
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DIY
    CPU
    I9-13900k
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-E Gam wifi-6E, latest AMI BIOS 2801
    Memory
    G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32GB Kit DDR5 6000. 6000.
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX™ 3060 Ti VISION OC 8G (rev. 2.0)
    Sound Card
    "Realtek USB Audio", ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4080, Bose Computer Music Monitor/ Desktop Computer Speakers
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell S3221QS
    Screen Resolution
    4K but I usually display at 1K
    Hard Drives
    Sam 980 Pro 1T M.2, 990Pro, WD 570, others(all NVMe)
    PSU
    Corsair RM750e fully modular
    Case
    CoolerMaster TD500 mesh white case
    Cooling
    CPU:Thermalright aio A-E-360 V4 TOP(Thermalright anti-bend plate), CASE:3 front fans IN, 1 back fan OUT.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K55 Core RGB
    Mouse
    Corsair Harpoon RGB wireless
    Internet Speed
    220Mbs Starry I226-V
    Browser
    Firefox current, Tab center Reborn, etc etc etc.
    Antivirus
    BitDefender AV Free
    Other Info
    WuMgr, StartAllBack, Terabyte Image for Win, Revo Uninstaller Pro Portable.
    Time Spy Extreme 6239, VRMark Orange Room 16430, etc.
    Been doing computers since '62(IBM 7070/4(just missed their 650!!!). Managed a bunch of 360's. My first PC I think was one of the RS puters (I tried them all), a commodore, an IBM PC w DOS 3.11, and others mainly DIY (COMPUTER SHOPPER!!!) w 95, 98, xp, vista, me, 7!!!, 8, 10!!!, 11.
    I use Wondershare Filmora Basic to process my vlogs. Pocket 2
  • Operating System
    win 10, Mint
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo P15s
    CPU
    i7-10510U 1.8-4.9GHz
    Motherboard
    Intel SoC
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Quadro P520 2GB DDR5 supports 4K external via HDMI or USB-C
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC3287 HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6"
    Screen Resolution
    1K
    Hard Drives
    NVMe various
Yeah browsers can use a lot of memory, mine now. with about the same amount of tabs open.
1739391095802.webp
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
yes yes yes - Chrome uses a TON. I only use that very briefly when I have to!!!
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    win 11Pro, 24H2, 26100.3194
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DIY
    CPU
    I9-13900k
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-E Gam wifi-6E, latest AMI BIOS 2801
    Memory
    G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32GB Kit DDR5 6000. 6000.
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX™ 3060 Ti VISION OC 8G (rev. 2.0)
    Sound Card
    "Realtek USB Audio", ROG SupremeFX 7.1 Surround Sound High Definition Audio CODEC ALC4080, Bose Computer Music Monitor/ Desktop Computer Speakers
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell S3221QS
    Screen Resolution
    4K but I usually display at 1K
    Hard Drives
    Sam 980 Pro 1T M.2, 990Pro, WD 570, others(all NVMe)
    PSU
    Corsair RM750e fully modular
    Case
    CoolerMaster TD500 mesh white case
    Cooling
    CPU:Thermalright aio A-E-360 V4 TOP(Thermalright anti-bend plate), CASE:3 front fans IN, 1 back fan OUT.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K55 Core RGB
    Mouse
    Corsair Harpoon RGB wireless
    Internet Speed
    220Mbs Starry I226-V
    Browser
    Firefox current, Tab center Reborn, etc etc etc.
    Antivirus
    BitDefender AV Free
    Other Info
    WuMgr, StartAllBack, Terabyte Image for Win, Revo Uninstaller Pro Portable.
    Time Spy Extreme 6239, VRMark Orange Room 16430, etc.
    Been doing computers since '62(IBM 7070/4(just missed their 650!!!). Managed a bunch of 360's. My first PC I think was one of the RS puters (I tried them all), a commodore, an IBM PC w DOS 3.11, and others mainly DIY (COMPUTER SHOPPER!!!) w 95, 98, xp, vista, me, 7!!!, 8, 10!!!, 11.
    I use Wondershare Filmora Basic to process my vlogs. Pocket 2
  • Operating System
    win 10, Mint
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo P15s
    CPU
    i7-10510U 1.8-4.9GHz
    Motherboard
    Intel SoC
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Quadro P520 2GB DDR5 supports 4K external via HDMI or USB-C
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC3287 HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6"
    Screen Resolution
    1K
    Hard Drives
    NVMe various
This most likely has to do with Intel GPU driver and has noting to do with windows update. When using OEM GPU driver "Desktop windows manager"(dwm.exe) is using ~120-160 MB but when using Intel Arc drivers (WHQL) it starts the same behavior, most likely because of new features in Arc drivers which let them allocate up to 57% of total available system memory compared to 50% before this.

And new drivers also increases Adapter RAM from 128 MB to 2GB, I'll look for more clear answer in Intel forums.

Thanks for the help folks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Core Ultra
    CPU
    Intel Core™ Ultra 7 155H
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Arc
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