Minimizing random-access memory (RAM) consumption is the practice of optimizing software and system configurations to decrease the amount of memory actively in use. For example, closing unnecessary applications, disabling startup programs, and optimizing browser extensions are all steps taken to lessen the burden on available RAM.
Efficient memory management leads to improved system responsiveness, prevents performance degradation due to memory bottlenecks, and extends the lifespan of hardware, especially in resource-constrained environments. Historically, this process was critical on systems with limited memory capacity, and remains relevant today even with increased RAM availability as applications and operating systems become more memory-intensive.
